The Baltimore Ravens are no strangers to unearthing talent after the draft. And once again, they may have found a hidden gem. Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins, a priority undrafted free agent signed by Baltimore after the 2025 NFL Draft, was named the Ravens’ UDFA to watch by Ben Cooper of Pro Football Focus.
"The Ravens’ linebacker depth chart behind Roquan Smith is a mix of unproven talent and rookie hopefuls,” Cooper wrote. “Trenton Simpson has yet to show he deserves the starting nod… perhaps opening the door for Higgins, fourth-round draft pick Teddye Buchanan or free-agent signing Jake Hummel to win the job.”
It’s the kind of national recognition that reinforces what Flock Nation already knows: general manager Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh know how to find and develop talent better than any other franchise in the league.
Jay Higgins fits the Ravens’ mold — and might just break through
Higgins didn’t fall out of the draft because of his tape. He fell because of his slow 40 time (4.82), average measurables (6-foot, 225 pounds), and the positional value math that tends to punish inside linebackers who don’t look the part on paper. But he sure played it.
“Higgins was the fourth-most-valuable Power Five linebacker this past season, per PFF’s Wins Above Average metric,” Cooper wrote. “He was also the FBS’ second-highest-graded linebacker in coverage (91.5), a potential boon to a Baltimore linebacker corps that allowed the sixth-highest passer rating in coverage in 2024 (111.6).”
That’s exactly the kind of profile that screams Ravens flier. Especially when the depth chart is in a little bit of a — dare we say — flux. Trenton Simpson is entering a pivotal third season. He just hasn't been able to stick in his first two seasons... and that's not great. Teddye Buchanan looks like a special teams mainstay and a sneaky candidate for the starting spot. And Jake Hummel is a veteran, but also more of a special teams guy.
Higgins, meanwhile, has that sort of "old-school" factor. If it weren't for his size and slow 40 time, he probably would have been drafted. He was a tackling machine at Iowa, leading the FBS in total tackles over the last two seasons, earning All-American honors. He's a high-IQ football thumper who could find the perfect opportunity in Charm City.
Baltimore’s track record with UDFAs at linebacker speaks for itself—Zach Orr, Bart Scott, Patrick Onwuasor, Chris Board, Jameel McClain. Higgins might not be next... but he could be. Getting named the Ravens’ UDFA to watch by PFF doesn’t guarantee anything, but it does mean Higgins is already on the radar.