Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins went into his debut game against the LA Rams as the de facto number two receiver due to incumbent starter Christian Kirk being ruled out due to a hamstring injury suffered right before the season started. And yet, Higgins is coming off a performance that saw him grab only two receptions for just 32 yards and no scores.
He also had a terrible play in the 3rd quarter where he allowed Rams cornerback Cobie Durant to snatch a ball out of his hands on a deep pass attempt by C.J. Stroud. It’s not the best look for a new receiver trying to establish rapport with a top-15 passer in the NFL.
That’s certainly not the type of start that the young receiver might’ve had in mind after being the Texans’ first draft pick in 2025. Personally, I envisioned Jayden Higgins as being the perfect mirror to Nico Collins on the opposite side of the formation. Both players are 6 '4 with near identical wingspans at roughly 80”. Plus, they both run around the same 4.4 40 time.
They are literally as close to one another as any two players in the NFL. Which is why this would be a premium opportunity for the Iowa State product to explode onto the NFL scene. With Kirk being out again, Week 2 gives him a chance to stabilize in his role and really provide C.J. Stroud with another strong security blanket option in the passing game.
He’s better than two catches on three targets. And he’s definitely better than 32 yards and a “chain snatch” of an interception. He knows he is, and he’s most likely chomping at the bit to get back out on the field and show it.
Now, for projection's sake, PFF has actually released some projections for Higgins' Week 2 performance against Tampa Bay. The model currently sees him receiving only four targets, snagging 2.5 receptions, 0.2 touchdown(s), and finishing just shy of 30 yards. That would not be ideal in the slightest.
This is a Texans team that is currently ranked 20th in the NFL at receiving yards/game at 188. (I know it’s week 1, but still). They were definitely hindered by shoddy offensive line play and the fact that their offense is still very new. But, that doesn’t change the fact that Jayden has an opportunity to correct the errors of Week 1 and truly take ownership of being a legitimate threat opposite of Nico Collins.
Nico will definitely receive more than his fair share of targets, but Higgins shouldn’t be that far behind. He just has to show that C.J. can depend on him when the ball is in the air, and that he can take over a game when defenses sell out to stop other offensive options.
I think Jayden could receive anywhere from five to eight targets depending on the flow of the game. It would also be great for his confidence and the success of the team to try to establish him as a red zone threat as quickly as possible.
This could happen on Monday, as the Buccaneers' defense is ranked 29th in the NFL in giving up receiving yards at 298 yards/game. Against the Falcons, they gave up 6 receptions/100 yards to RB Bijan Robinson, 7 receptions/59 yards to TE Kyle Pitts, and 8 receptions/55 yards to WR Drake London. They also gave up averages of 17 and 11 yards per catch to wide receivers Ray-Ray McCloud and Casey Washington, respectively. That sounds like good eats if you’re Nick Caley and this talented young receiving core that’s looking for a statement win.
It’s time to flush the Rams game down the toilet and get ready for Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense. Jayden gets his home debut on Monday Night Football. What better time than the present to introduce the rest of the world to the newly dubbed (by me) “Gulf Coast Cyclone”, Jayden Higgins.