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Texans Rookie WR Predicted to Have Immediate Impact This Fall

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Connor Greene | Last updated May 13, 2025 10:17 PM ET

With Tank Dell’s return from injury still uncertain and Stefon Diggs no longer in the picture, the Houston Texans may be looking to a new face to step up.

That face looks like rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins.

The former Iowa State standout was recently named by ESPN analyst Field Yates as one of the top non-first-round rookies who could make an immediate impact this fall.

In his final season with the Cyclones, the 6-foot-4 pass catcher totaled 87 receptions for 1,183 yards, ranking in the top 10 nationally in both categories. He also recorded nine touchdowns across 13 games in 2024.

“Higgins brings an excellent combination of size and speed to the position, similar to teammate Nico Collins,” Yates wrote. “He showed very good discipline and body control on passes thrown his way on the sideline in college, and that should help him build chemistry with C.J. Stroud in a hurry.”

Yates also noted that Higgins could form a solid partnership with newly acquired veteran Christian Kirk and fellow rookie Jaylin Noel, helping to stabilize the Texans' receiver room with Dell gone.

Selected 59th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, Higgins made history by becoming the first second-round pick ever to sign a fully guaranteed contract, a four-year, $11.7 million deal.

Houston Texans and rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins have agreed to a fully guaranteed four-year $11,700,824 contract, per Chris Cabott of @EquitySports. Higgins is the first second-round pick in NFL history to have a fully guaranteed contract. pic.twitter.com/fyPM50BTbL
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 8, 2025