Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins is entering his rookie season with one clear path to opportunity: he’s the 34th overall pick, a 6’4”, 217-pound athlete who spent four college seasons, including two at Iowa State after transferring from Eastern Kentucky. In 2024, Higgins posted 87 catches for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors. His college profile also shows a notable average of 15.5 yards per reception and a 10.7% scoring rate on his catches, underscoring his ability to convert big plays and red-zone looks.
Fantasy managers are weighing Higgins as a potential top-100 pick, hoping the draft capital translates quickly into a meaningful role. Ian Cummings’ scouting assessment highlights a player with big upside: a reliable hands catcher with elite size and contested-catch strength. At 6’4” and 217 pounds, Higgins blends explosive movement with the ability to stretch the field, though he can struggle with hip sink and press-coverage consistency, which may limit route variance early in his pro career. In the right offense, he projects as a movement receiver or big-slot option who can win with strong hands and RAC (run-after-catch) ability.
The Texans’ offense could provide early chances for Higgins, especially with uncertainty around the receiving corps. Houston’s offense figures to lean pass-heavy, led by a young quarterback in CJ Stroud. Through 2024, Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz were the only Texans pass-catchers with 310 or more receiving yards, suggesting Higgins could step into a role sooner rather than later if he wins the trust of the coaching staff. With his draft capital in hand, Higgins has a real opportunity to prove himself in a few of the early games.
The early-season schedule could help Higgins generate a fantasy foothold. Week 1 is at the Los Angeles Rams, Week 2 comes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Week 3 is a road test at Jacksonville, and Week 4 meets the Tennessee Titans. A favorable start could allow Higgins to earn snaps and targets in Houston’s offense, particularly if other receivers are nursing injuries or dealing with competition for targets. He’ll sit in a tier with other rookie receivers like Emek Egbuka and Luther Burden III, while more volatile options such as Keon Coleman, Rashid Shaheed, and teammate Christian Kirk provide a broad range of upside.
Frank Ammirante views Higgins as one of the more intriguing rookie WR options. A 6’4” target who produced 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns in his final college season, Higgins fits into a pass-heavy Houston attack that’s likely to feature multiple WR looks, especially if new play-caller Nick Caley deploys 3-WR sets similar to what he ran in Los Angeles. Higgins would be the third option in the pecking order for targets, but there’s a clear ceiling if Collins misses time, nudging him into perimeter roles with a higher ceiling. For redraft leagues, he’s a viable bench stash or best-ball flyer rather than a week-to-week starter right away, with the upside to rise if the Texans offense leans into a faster-paced, pass-oriented approach.
What this means for your fantasy plan
– Dynasty leagues: Higgins is a high-upside hold with the potential to become a weekly starter if he earns a consistent role and if the offense protects him with volume.
– Redraft leagues: Consider Higgins as a late-round or best-ball pick. Monitor Collins’ health and the Texans’ early targets to gauge whether he earns a larger slice of the pie as the season unfolds.
– Key caveats: Higgin’s path to regular top-35 WR production hinges on his role being clearly defined early, Houston’s efficiency in throwing the ball, and his ability to translate college contested-catch success into consistent on-field separation against NFL defenses.
Overall, Higgins offers a compelling blend of size, athleticism, and a favorable early opportunity in a Houston offense that could lean on a healthy, productive receiving corps. If he can carve out a reliable role, he has the tools to be a valuable fantasy stash with upside as the season progresses.