Dolphins Take Big Receiver in Round 6
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The Miami Dolphins made their intentions clear after the selection of Elijah Higgins in Round 6 of the 2023 NFL draft when they announced him as a tight end on their Twitter feed.
This is significant because Higgins was a wide receiver at Stanford, though his size and physical traits always suggested a position transition could be coming for him.
Higgins said in a Zoom media session the conversations he had with the Dolphins prior to the draft usually involved the conversion to tight end.
"Definitely willing to make that transition," Higgins said in a Zoom media session. "I'm excited for it."
Based on most draft reports, Higgins wasn't considered a great prospect as a wide receiver, but much more intriguing as a tight end.
"Draft grades for Higgins could vary depending on how teams envision using him in their offense," NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote. "While teams might see him as a big possession receiver with limitations, he appears to have the necessary tools to become a dynamic F tight end with the ability to work all three levels of the field. Higgins has average ball skills but can run a more robust route tree than most tight ends. Also, he has the frame and technique to be an adequate run blocker in space. He might never be more than a backup at receiver but could blossom for an offense ready to plug him into two tight end sets."
THE DOLPHINS AT TIGHT END AND HIGGINS' FIT
The selection of Higgins is bringing back memories of what the Dolphins did last year with undrafted free agent Tanner Conner, who was a wide receiver at Idaho State before being converted to tight end.
Higgins becomes the fourth tight end on the roster, joining Durham Smythe, free agent acquisition Eric Saubert and Conner.
Higgins' best path to playing time — assuming he makes the 53-man roster — would be in two-tight-end sets.
There's also the possibility that Higgins could get snaps as a slot receiver asked to block, a role played at times last season by Trent Sherfield (who was very adept at blocking).
Because they were low on numbers at the position and they don't have a front-line player, there was almost an assumption the Dolphins might use their second-round pick or their third-rounder at the latest on a tight end.
Instead, the Dolphins took a cornerback (Cam Smith) and running back (Devon Achane) with those two picks. The tight end wasn't taken until Round 6 and the immediate impact he can provide obviously is questionable.
GM Chris Grier said Friday night the Dolphins still might supplement the roster through free agency, though there's no front-line tight end still on the market.
At the very least, the hope is that Higgins can make some kind of contribution in 2023.
