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The 2025 NFL Draft runs from April 24-26, and several Iowa State football prospects are hoping to hear their name called and achieve their dream of going pro.
Cyclones star wide receiver Jayden Higgins highlights the team's class of five players who were invited to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. They all have varying projections on if and when they'll be selected, so here's a look at how each Iowa State player's draft might play out:
More: Iowa State football recruiting: 4-star quarterback Jett Thomalla commits to Cyclones
According to NFL.com, Higgins is the most highly touted Cyclone in the 2025 class and is projected to be a "plus starter" at some point in his pro career.
With the eighth-best athleticism score of all wideouts at the combine and a knack for consistently finding the end zone during his college career, Higgins has a chance to shoot up draft boards.
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein projects Higgins to be selected in the second round. He highlights Higgins' size and ball skills as his best traits and believes he can make an impact at the next level.
Higgins' biggest concerns are his lack of separation and route tree diversity, which might make him more of a situational receiver, at least as a rookie.
Perhaps teams in need of a second or third wideout, like the Titans (No. 35) or Patriots (No. 38) could be the landing spot for Higgins.
With the third-best combine performance, according to NFL.com, and a 2024 season that saw him rank ninth in the nation in receiving yards (1,194) despite playing alongside another star receiver, Noel has shot up draft boards and is projected by Zierlein to be picked in the third round, and higher on other mock drafts.
Noel's skillset - small, shifty, quick - fits perfectly in the modern NFL, where slot receivers are a key part of most offenses. His return ability on special teams adds another layer of production, one that teams are likely to put a premium on with the league's evolving kickoff rules.
Like Higgins, expect Noel to go to a squad in need of a second or third receiver who can play in the slot. The Patriots (No. 69) or Jets (No. 73) could take Noel, if he falls that far.
More: Iowa State football: Tracking Cyclones in spring transfer portal, a complete list (so far)
A 4.3 40-yard dash while being 6-foot-3 and having second-best athleticism score of all cornerbacks in this draft, according to NFL.com, will make almost every NFL team excited about Porter.
On top of that, Porter was remarkably healthy throughout his college career, setting an Iowa State record with 64 games played over six seasons, even though he started just one full year (2024).
While Porter's lack of starting experience may be a drawback for an older prospect, his physical attributes and special teams skills are sure to impress NFL scouts.
Zierlein projects Porter will go in the third round. Almost every team can use a big and fast corner, so whichever franchise values his talents and can plug him into that third-string spot to develop him would likely be best.
At 6-foot-8, Travis certainly has the size to stick at the NFL level, and his three years of starting experience at left tackle also give him an edge to be a contributor right away.
He notched the fourth-highest athleticism score of all offensive tackles at the combine, and Zierlein projects Travis to be chosen in the fifth or sixth round. A team like the Dolphins (No. 155) that is in constant need of offensive line depth could be a good landing spot.
Verdon has good size (6-foot-4) and is coming off a Second Team All-Big 12 campaign, but Zierlein points out his inconsistent performance and trouble in man coverage as potential reasons why he projects Verdon to go in the sixth or seventh round.
Still, teams love drafting based on potential, and Verdon has the physical tools and toughness to entice teams who need safety depth. Going to a team with some veterans at his position, like the Steelers (No. 185) could help his development.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State NFL Draft projections: Best landing spots for top prospects
Continue reading...
Cyclones star wide receiver Jayden Higgins highlights the team's class of five players who were invited to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. They all have varying projections on if and when they'll be selected, so here's a look at how each Iowa State player's draft might play out:
More: Iowa State football recruiting: 4-star quarterback Jett Thomalla commits to Cyclones
WR Jayden Higgins draft projection
According to NFL.com, Higgins is the most highly touted Cyclone in the 2025 class and is projected to be a "plus starter" at some point in his pro career.
With the eighth-best athleticism score of all wideouts at the combine and a knack for consistently finding the end zone during his college career, Higgins has a chance to shoot up draft boards.
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein projects Higgins to be selected in the second round. He highlights Higgins' size and ball skills as his best traits and believes he can make an impact at the next level.
Higgins' biggest concerns are his lack of separation and route tree diversity, which might make him more of a situational receiver, at least as a rookie.
Perhaps teams in need of a second or third wideout, like the Titans (No. 35) or Patriots (No. 38) could be the landing spot for Higgins.
WR Jaylin Noel draft projection
With the third-best combine performance, according to NFL.com, and a 2024 season that saw him rank ninth in the nation in receiving yards (1,194) despite playing alongside another star receiver, Noel has shot up draft boards and is projected by Zierlein to be picked in the third round, and higher on other mock drafts.
Noel's skillset - small, shifty, quick - fits perfectly in the modern NFL, where slot receivers are a key part of most offenses. His return ability on special teams adds another layer of production, one that teams are likely to put a premium on with the league's evolving kickoff rules.
Like Higgins, expect Noel to go to a squad in need of a second or third receiver who can play in the slot. The Patriots (No. 69) or Jets (No. 73) could take Noel, if he falls that far.
More: Iowa State football: Tracking Cyclones in spring transfer portal, a complete list (so far)
DB Darien Porter draft projection
A 4.3 40-yard dash while being 6-foot-3 and having second-best athleticism score of all cornerbacks in this draft, according to NFL.com, will make almost every NFL team excited about Porter.
On top of that, Porter was remarkably healthy throughout his college career, setting an Iowa State record with 64 games played over six seasons, even though he started just one full year (2024).
While Porter's lack of starting experience may be a drawback for an older prospect, his physical attributes and special teams skills are sure to impress NFL scouts.
Zierlein projects Porter will go in the third round. Almost every team can use a big and fast corner, so whichever franchise values his talents and can plug him into that third-string spot to develop him would likely be best.
OL Jalen Travis draft projection
At 6-foot-8, Travis certainly has the size to stick at the NFL level, and his three years of starting experience at left tackle also give him an edge to be a contributor right away.
He notched the fourth-highest athleticism score of all offensive tackles at the combine, and Zierlein projects Travis to be chosen in the fifth or sixth round. A team like the Dolphins (No. 155) that is in constant need of offensive line depth could be a good landing spot.
DB Malik Verdon draft projection
Verdon has good size (6-foot-4) and is coming off a Second Team All-Big 12 campaign, but Zierlein points out his inconsistent performance and trouble in man coverage as potential reasons why he projects Verdon to go in the sixth or seventh round.
Still, teams love drafting based on potential, and Verdon has the physical tools and toughness to entice teams who need safety depth. Going to a team with some veterans at his position, like the Steelers (No. 185) could help his development.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State NFL Draft projections: Best landing spots for top prospects
Continue reading...
