Jayden Higgins Comes Close To Big Night

By Jared Smola | Updated on Fri, Nov 21 2025 2:27 PM UTC

Texans WR Jayden Higgins caught four balls for 38 yards and a TD in Thursday night's win over the Bills. He shook DB Cam Lewis to break free for an eight-yard score with just a few seconds left in the first half. And Higgins came inches from making a few more big plays. He was wide open downfield in the first quarter, but Higgins broke his route to the sideline, while QB Davis Mills expected him to continue upfield. The result was an incompletion on what should have been a big gain. On the very next play, Higgins was just barely unable to get his second foot inbounds for what would have been a 10-yard catch. Then in the second quarter, Higgins had CB Maxwell Hairston beat downfield for a would-be 28-yard TD, but Mills underthrew it.

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

In an alternate universe, Higgins goes for over 100 yards and two TDs in this one. As it stands, it was a frustrating but promising night for the rookie.

We'd like to see him get his second foot inbounds on the sideline ball, but Higgins played well in this one otherwise. He packs an exciting combination of physicality and route-running ability.

Most importantly, Higgins led the Texans and registered a season high with nine targets vs. Buffalo. That followed back-to-back seven-target games. Higgins has totaled 23 targets on a 19.8% share over the last three.

His playing time is steadily climbing, too. His route rates over the last four games:

Ideally that continues to climb up into the 80s. It's also worth noting that Higgins' last three games have come with QB Davis Mills. We'll have to see if the usage and production continue with QB C.J. Stroud.

Higgins won't be a comfortable fantasy start in Week 13, although there will be plenty of upside in a plus matchup against the Colts.

More strong usage in that one could get him in the WR3 mix down the stretch.

Higgins should be rostered in all fantasy leagues of 12+ teams at this point.

Jared Smola, Lead Analyst

Jared has been with Draft Sharks since 2007. He’s now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly projections that fuel your Draft War Room and in-season tools. He currently ranks ninth among 173 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.