Battle Red Blog
The NFL Preseason is well underway, and the Houston Texans’ upcoming Week 2 preseason game vs. the Carolina Panthers will be another opportunity for the new crop of playmakers in battle red to make their mark. Texans fans will be darting their eyes across the field on both sides of the ball to get a glimpse at the new free agent signings and rookies, but the offense is clearly the side of most interest in 2025. After a regressed 2024 effort, the Texans are taking steps towards a refreshed and re-tooled offense, headed by new offensive coordinator and McVay/McDaneils guru Nick Caley, known for his work with quarterbacks Tom Brady and more recently with Matthew Stafford.
So, even though it’s the preseason, the many new faces of Texans Offense 3.0 have given fans plenty to anticipate and analyze when they saw action against the Minnesota Vikings in week one. This fresh and new scheme will not only seek to revitalize current Texans players like CJ Stroud and Dalton Schultz, but will also reveal to the fans new stars on the roster that will flourish under the new offensive braintrust. Who could those new stars be? What new name will we be hollering at the top of our lungs this season? Well, I have five guesses, and each one is better than the last!
One of the most anticipated players of the 2025 Houston Texans preseason has been Jayden Higgins. If you head to Kenneth Levy’s film review of Higgins from last month, you’ll come away with the impression that Higgins, is a tall and raw athlete that could be a fantastic jump-ball receiver.
“As a young wide receiver, Higgins has the tools to become a high-end WR2 in the league. He pairs well with the current cast and has flexibility to play anywhere on the field. While other analysts compare him to Nico Collins or Drake London, he reminds me of a lesser Tee Higgins. The route nuance, top-end speed, and catch radius are all three characteristics of an NFL receiver. If he can improve getting in and out of his breaks with his tall frame he will accelerate his growth considerably.” – Kenneth Levy
He only caught two passes for eight yards in the first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, so the jury is still out on Higgins’ ability in the NFL. But, if he is able to become a contributor quickly, Houston’s passing attack could immediately be far deadlier than it ever was last year. The size and intangibles are there and in spades, but you don’t have to go very far back to find another talented, tall...
