ClutchPoints
The Houston Texans made waves in 2023 by exceeding expectations with CJ Stroud under center and DeMeco Ryans establishing a culture of competitiveness. However, their 2024 campaign saw regression—particularly up front. Now, Houston enters 2025 with question marks clouding its playoff aspirations. Still, where there’s doubt, there’s also room for surprise. Beneath the surface of this loaded roster lies a pair of overlooked players—one rookie and one veteran. They could shake up the Texans’ depth chart and play pivotal roles this fall. If Houston is to recapture its momentum, these sleepers will have to wake up the league.
It’s hard to look at this offseason as a success for the Texans. They already struggled on the offensive line last year. Laremy Tunsil was their only offensive lineman who earned a PFF overall grade above 70.2, and they traded him away during a pivotal time in Stroud’s rookie-contract window.
Houston tried to make up for it by bringing in a lot of new bodies. That said, there is no guarantee they will jell. The team did get better at receiver. This raises both the ceiling and floor—and the secondary looks stacked. Still, the interior defensive line remains a concern, especially when factoring in their struggles up front last season. This contributed to the offense regressing.
Yes, many thought the offensive line would be a priority for the organization this offseason. That said, the Texans’ most significant move in the trenches was trading away Tunsil. That leads to more skepticism about Stroud’s protection as the coaching staff is currently sorting out who’s playing where and who the starting five will be this season.
Amid all the uncertainty, a few new faces—and one familiar one—are primed to carve out surprising roles in 2025.
Following a receiver-heavy draft class, Houston’s aerial attack is suddenly flush with talent. They are easily five deep at wideout. This introduces a bit of murkiness behind WR1 Nico Collins when it comes to target share and snap distribution. Last season, the Texans’ receiving corps underwhelmed, in part due to injuries. It combined for 214 catches, 2,616 yards, and 16 touchdowns on 325 targets. That’s a stat line that left plenty on the table.
Enter Jayden Higgins, a big-bodied playmaker who took a unique path to NFL relevance. He began carving out his collegiate resume at Eastern Kentucky with a steady two-year stretch before leveling up at Iowa State. There, his game exploded. He was a vertical weapon, posting a blistering 18.5 yards per catch. He was also a high-volume alpha with 87 grabs for 1,183 yards and nine scores as a senior. Higgins proved he could win in multiple roles and against quality competition.
At 6’4, 215 pounds, Higgins brings a rare blend of size, strength, and speed. Sure, he still needs refinement when redirecting and separating against tight coverage. However, he’s an assertive hands-catcher who excels in contested situations and can bully defenders on...
