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Jayden Higgins is a potential bust and avoid in 2025 fantasy football rookie drafts. Read the fantasy football outlook for the new Texans wide receiver.
DRAFT PICK: 2nd Round (#34 Overall Pick)
TEAM: Houston Texans
ROOKIE DRAFT ANALYSIS: Jayden Higgins enjoyed a fine senior season at Iowa State last year. He posted an 87-1,183-9 stat line and was selected 34th overall by the Houston Texans in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a result of getting early Day 2 draft capital, many dynasty gamers have been very enthusiastic to draft Higgins. It’s understandable, as he had some highlight-reel plays and posted some nice advanced metrics. Per PFF, Higgins had a strong 2.62 yards per route run (YPRR) in 2024.
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This mark ranked 28th among 237 collegiate receivers with 50+ routes run. Being tied to C.J. Stroud for the immediate future is also good for Higgins' outlook. However, things became a bit murky when the Texans selected Higgins' college teammate, Jaylin Noel, in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Iowa State reunion: #Texans selected Jaylin Noel in Round 3 after taking WR Jayden Higgins in Round 2. pic.twitter.com/yboXpwbcG6
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 26, 2025
Noel is one of the more underrated players in this draft and was a very good route runner/separator in college. That is bad news for Higgins because these are areas where his game needs refinement. Higgins struggled to separate against man and press coverage during his collegiate career.
This is problematic because, usually, players who struggle to consistently separate in college face those same challenges in the NFL. Logically, it makes sense. If you’re unable to gain separation in college, then you’re probably not going to fare well going against better athletes in the NFL. Unfortunately, Higgins will probably fall into this category.
We have seen several bigger-bodied receivers get pushed up rookie draft boards over the last few years. Treylon Burks, Quentin Johnston, and Keon Coleman are the best examples. Each of these players was touted as having major upside for fantasy football, but the reality is that none of them showed they could consistently separate at the collegiate level. So far in each of their careers, none have proved they can consistently get open in the NFL.
Higgins feels like the 2025 incarnation of this archetype and is potentially a major landmine in rookie drafts. There are things he does well, but lining up as an X or flanker would not be the best use of his skills. A move inside as a big slot would potentially benefit his career. However, given the presence of Noel and Christian Kirk, it doesn't seem like that is Houston's plan for Higgins.
If you want a piece of the Houston offense, the better play is to pass on Higgins and target Noel later in your draft. He’s the better player/route runner and could have an immediate role in Houston’s offense if the cards break his way.
- Dave Ventresca
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