John Hightower | WR | Boise State
Elevator Pitch
Hightower is wide receiver who can make an impact in two different areas on the field with his kick return ability. At Boise State in 2019, he was named second-team Mountain West at both wide receiver and kick returner. He has an opportunity to make a team for his return skills while he develops as a pass catcher in the NFL.
Vitals
Height | 6-1
Weight | 189
Class | Senior
Strengths
Hightower can come into a team and immediate contribute as a special teams player. In the last two seasons as a kick returner, he returned 36 kicks for an average of 23.3 yards per return and one touchdown for the Broncos. He uses his speed well and it is apparent that he was a track runner when he was in junior college.
His 4.43 speed can help teams wanting to throw it deep down the field with Hightower. Has good size and length to combine with that speed. Made some circus level catches on passes thrown away from his frame, mostly behind him that shows flashes of having good hands. He creates separates with how he comes out of his breaks.
Weaknesses
He is very limited in his route running. Hightower needs to work on his route tree and his technique. He will struggle to get off the line with more physical cornerbacks at the NFL level. His inability to deal with physical cornerbacks will alter his routes down the field.
Hightower has issues with catching some passes, including contested catches. If he can improve here, Hightower can be a real problem after the catch. He will need to add strength to upper body. He should still be able to fill out frame without suffering any drop in speed, which is his true weapon.
