ClutchPoints
The Houston Texans have made back-to-back playoff appearances under head coach DeMeco Ryans. As such, expectations are higher than they’ve been in years. The Texans are no longer the rebuilding project they once were. They are now a rising power in the AFC, with franchise quarterback CJ Stroud leading the charge. Yet as the team gathered for its 2025 minicamp, one rookie in particular caught everyone’s attention. He may prove to be a critical piece in keeping Houston’s momentum aliv.
In a minicamp filled with new faces, Jayden Higgins stood out not only for his physical gifts but for how seamlessly he integrated into the offense. If his early performance is any indication, the Texans may have found their next offensive weapon, and they’ll need him sooner than later.
The Texans’ 2025 offseason was not without controversy. In fact, it started with significant turbulence. Despite having one of the league’s most dynamic young quarterbacks, Houston finished the 2024 season with the 31st-ranked offensive line. Protecting Stroud quickly became priority number one. However, the front office made several moves that raised eyebrows.
The Texans traded away All-Pro left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who allowed the second-lowest pressure rate at his position. Yes, they received solid value from Washington in return. That said, replacing Tunsil with veteran Cam Robinson represents a noticeable downgrade. The Texans also swapped former first-round guard Kenyon Green for playmaking safety CJ Gardner-Johnson. Additionally, they added veteran guard Laken Tomlinson and acquiring Ed Ingram via trade from the Vikings.
The moves certainly helped bolster an already strong secondary. Still, the offensive line remains a glaring concern. To help offset these risks, Houston extended key defensive pieces Derek Stingley Jr and Jalen Pitre.
Fortunately, the Texans’ front office made up considerable ground in the draft. They traded down and selected Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins early in the second round. That’s a move that’s already paying dividends. They also addressed the offensive line by selecting tackle Aireontae Ersery, while adding Jaylin Noel to inject more depth into the receiving corps.
The departure of Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell’s ongoing injury recovery left a hole behind WR1 Nico Collins. Enter Higgins, whose early minicamp performance is making believers out of fans, coaches, and scouts alike.
When the Texans selected Higgins at the top of the second, they sent a clear message about how highly they value him. That message became even louder when they handed Higgins the first-ever fully guaranteed contract for a second-round pick in NFL history. Houston’s willingness to make that financial commitment spoke volumes.
Physically, Higgins is everything you’d want in a modern NFL wide receiver. At 6’4 and 214 pounds, with 4.47-second 40-yard dash speed, he offers a rare blend of size, strength, and acceleration. Head coach DeMeco Ryans himself acknowledged the favorable comparisons between Higgins and current WR1 Nico Collins.
“You get a receiver of his stature and with his catch radius, it just opens...
