Jayden Higgins Added to the Texans WR Group

The Texans selected Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins with the 34th pick of Round 2 in the 2025 NFL Draft. At nearly 6'4, 217 pounds, Higgins’ experience (and best fit) is at X receiver. Higgins spent his first two college seasons at Eastern Kentucky, racking up 87 catches, 1,151 yards, and 13 TDs. He transferred to Iowa State in 2023 and boosted his NFL draft stock over the next two seasons. His total production (140-2,166-15) closely mirrored teammate Jaylin Noel, another incoming rookie. Higgins led the Cyclones in receiving yards in 2023; he paced the team in catches in 2024. He had a 9.63 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) based on his predraft testing. He also ranked sixth among Combine WRs in 2024 Target Share at 30.6%, and first among those WRs in PFF Receiving Grade with a 90.5. He is currently 22 years old with a Breakout Age of 19.7. He ranked eighth among WRs in our Draft Sharks predraft Rookie Model scoring a 7.24. Our Comp for him in our Rookie Guide is Gabe Davis. If he can develop as a route runner, the 22-year-old could become an early-career starter.
2025 Fantasy Football Impact
Higgins, who often is comped to Nico Collins, has potential to be an immediate impact player for the Texans.
With Tank Dell likely to start the season on PUP, Higgins could start on the other side of Collins immediately. His speed and size make him another difficult WR to jam at the line.
With a potentially strong Texans passing game, he could put up WR3 numbers as a rookie.
Dynasty Impact
Higgins should be a late first round rookie pick in 1-QB leagues.
The size and upside make him an intriguing longterm player, even with Collins as the clear top WR for the Texans over the next few years.