The Houston Texans are on their summer break. Training camp is the next time the entire group will officially be together before the 2025 season begins. When the Texans do reconvene, more eyes could be on rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins.
Higgins, the No. 35 overall pick of the 2025 draft, profiles similarly to Texans Pro Bowl wideout Nico Collins.
The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander wrote that Higgins’ stock is “trending up.”
“Jayden Higgins, a second-round pick in April’s draft, looked as good as advertised. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound receiver caught just about every pass that came his way in team drills and made several plays,” Alexander wrote on June 12. “It’s clear Higgins has skill and the potential to be the No. 2 wide receiver on this team. His combination of height and speed will give him a significant advantage similar to Nico Collins, his counterpart on the opposite side.”
“He’ll make some rookie mistakes, but there’s promise. And his connection with [C.J.] Stroud already looks encouraging. If Higgins and Collins can remain healthy along with wide receiver Christian Kirk in the slot, they can make a dangerous trio.”
The Texans’ decision to draft Higgins – and former Iowa State teammate Jaylin Noel – comes at a fitting time for the franchise.
Jayden Higgins Primed to Take Over for 4-Time Pro Bowler
GettyJayden Higgins #WO18 of Iowa State participates in a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine.
ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime shared a review of Higgins after the Texans’ mandatory minicamp that was similar to Alexander’s. The echoed sentiments underscore how evident the rookie’s showing was.
“Second-round pick, receiver Jayden Higgins, has impressed during minicamp,” Bien-Aime wrote on June 11. “The 6-foot-4, 215-pound wideout has shown he’ll be pushing for a starting role and could clinch that spot by the second week of training camp. He moves extremely well for someone of his size and would complement No. 1 receiver Nico Collins.”
The Texans allowed Stefon Diggs to walk in free agency, and Tank Dell could miss the entire 2025 season recovering from a knee injury. Collins and Kirk have also battled injuries throughout their careers, potentially putting Higgins in line for a big season if he stays healthy.
Diggs caught 47 of 64 targets for 496 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2024.
It is a modest statline for the accomplished veteran. But it would be a solid opening act for Higgins in a Texans offense that could also see an improved running game.
Jayden Higgins a Rarity Among Draft Classmates
GettyJayden Higgins #WO18 of Iowa State speaks to the media during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
Higgins is headed for a four-year, $11.5 million contract with the Texans. Rookie contracts are slotted, locking in the total value. However, the Texans and Higgins agreed to a fully guaranteed deal. He is the first second-round pick to receive such a pact.
Higgins is two second-rounders to sign their deals.
Higgins avoided becoming part of a league-wide trend in which none of the class’s second-round picks and three first-rounders have yet to put pen to paper.
It is unclear what further concessions Higgins wants, given that his contract is already fully guaranteed. Higgins and the Texans have avoided the kind of public standoff that has afflicted the Cincinnati Bengals and No. 17 pick Shemart Stewart. That is an encouraging sign.
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