Round 5: Jay Higgins, LB, Iowa
The Cowboys don’t need just any linebacker in 2025, they need a linebacker who can contribute right now and doesn’t need training wheels as a rookie. For years they chased traits, being infatuated with size, strength and overall length. Lately they pivoted to speed and explosiveness with a heavy interest in intelligence.
DeMarvion Overshown and Marist Liufau are great examples of that and in many ways Jay Higgins continues that profile for the scouting department.
Iowa LB 34 Jay Higgins does a great job reading the eyes of the QB and getting the interception on this play pic.twitter.com/CJdJNj0oNB
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) September 12, 2024
Higgins, 6-foot2, 232-pounds, is one of the leanest LBs in the class but he’s also one of the safer picks. His expected 40 speed isn’t going to fit the mold of the previous two Dallas’ picks at LB, but his quick first step, motor, and sideline to sideline speed are familiar sights.
Higgins is an extremely reliable tackler with exceptional coverage IQ. He knows where to be and when to be there, filling his run fits and drop points routinely. Projecting as a typical WILL, Higgins can be a plug and play option alongside Liufau on Day 1. He will help fill the void while Overshown recovers from his nasty knee injury that’s expected to bleed into the 2025 season.