2025 Rookie Profile: Jayden Higgins

2025 Rookie Profile: Jayden Higgins (WR) Iowa State

Welcome to the 2025 fantasy football season. FullTime Fantasy‘s annual rookie reports next present 2025 Rookie Profile: Jayden Higgins, a sleeper wide receiver out of Iowa State.

College Resume

Jayden Higgins began his collegiate career at Eastern Kentucky, where he played two seasons (2021-2022) for the Colonels. As a 2-star recruit out of Westminster Christian School in Palmetto Bay, Florida, he quickly showcased his potential, amassing 87 receptions for 1,151 yards and 13 touchdowns over two years.

After transferring to Iowa State in 2023, Higgins elevated his game in the Power 5 landscape. In his first season with the Cyclones, he started 12 of 13 games, recording 53 receptions for 983 yards (18.5 yards per catch) and 6 touchdowns, including a school bowl-record 214 yards in the 2023 Liberty Bowl against Memphis.

His senior year in 2024 was a breakout campaign, as he hauled in 87 receptions for 1,183 yards and 9 touchdowns, earning Second Team All-Big 12 honors, Third Team All-American recognition, and an invitation to the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl. His 18.5 yards per catch in 2023 ranks as the seventh-best single-season mark in Iowa State history.

College Stats

Eastern Kentucky (2021-2022): 87 receptions, 1,151 yards, 13 touchdowns (2 seasons)

Iowa State (2023-2024):

2023: 53 receptions, 983 yards, 6 touchdowns (18.5 YPC)

2024: 87 receptions, 1,183 yards, 9 touchdowns

Career Totals (4 seasons): 227 receptions, 3,317 yards, 28 touchdowns

Notable Advanced Metrics (2024)

•90.3 PFF grade

•2.2% drop rate (3 drops on 210 career targets)

•58.3% contested catch rate

•2.66 yards per route run (YPRR)

•10.59 air yards per target (5th among draft-eligible WRs)

•1,483 total air yards (10th among draft-eligible WRs)

Measurables (NFL Combine)

Higgins’ combination of size, speed, and explosiveness makes him a physically imposing outside receiver with the frame to dominate in contested catch situations and the athleticism to stretch the field. His 4.47 speed is notable for his size, though his hip flexibility is considered average, which can affect route transitions.

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 217 lbs

Hand Size: 9½”

Arm Length: 33¼”

Wingspan: 79⅜”

40-Yard Dash: 4.47 seconds

Vertical Jump: 39 inches

Broad Jump: 10’8”

Fit and Role with the Houston Texans

The Houston Texans selected Jayden Higgins in the second round (pick 34) of the 2025 NFL Draft, a move praised for adding a high-upside complement to their existing wide receiver corps, led by Nico Collins. Higgins’ skill set draws frequent comparisons to Collins due to his size (6’4”, 217 lbs), reliable hands, and ability to win on the boundary as an “X” receiver. His analytical profile also mirrors that of Bengals WR Tee Higgins, particularly in contested catch reliability and downfield threat potential.

Role in Houston’s Offense

Higgins projects as a WR3/4 with weekly WR2 upside in Houston’s offense, likely slotting in as a big slot or boundary “X” receiver alongside Collins. His ability to play all three receiver positions (X, Z, slot) offers schematic flexibility for OC Bobby Slowik, who favors a West Coast-style system that emphasizes quick separation and vertical threats.

Higgins’s high football IQ, soft hands (1.4% career drop rate), and 58.3% contested catch rate make him a reliable target for QB C.J. Stroud, particularly in the red zone on slants, fades, and glance routes. His 39-inch vertical and 10’8” broad jump enhance his ability to high-point 50/50 balls, while his route salesmanship (using head fakes and shoulder dips) allows him to create separation against off-coverage.

Jayden Higgins gives the Texans two receivers (with Nico Collins) who can bully corners with their size and strength when contested. He ran faster than expected so he can play outside and from the slot. Good pick and great football character and athletic tester.

— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) April 25, 2025

Fantasy Outlook

Higgins steps into a high-octane Texans offense that ranked among the NFL’s top passing attacks in 2024. With Stefon Diggs’ departure, the WR2 role opposite Collins is open, and Higgins’ size and production make him a prime candidate to fill it. His 2024 college tape suggests a floor as a possession receiver with 60-70 catches, 800-900 yards, and 5-6 touchdowns in his rookie season, but his physical tools and Stroud’s accuracy could push him toward 1,000 yards and 8+ touchdowns if he secures a significant target share.

Initial 17-game projections estimate: 91.8 targets, 57.8 receptions, 775 yards, 4.6 touchdowns. His red-zone upside and ability to convert in clutch situations (evidenced by his Senior Bowl performance) make him a valuable WR3/4 in redraft leagues with WR2 potential in dynasty formats.

Concerns and Areas for Growth

While Higgins’ size and hands are elite, his average hip flexibility can limit his ability to sink and transition on complex routes, potentially capping his effectiveness against press-man coverage. He offers minimal yards-after-catch (YAC) ability, which may limit his ceiling compared to dynamic playmakers like Dell.

Additionally, his 4.47 speed, while solid, isn’t elite, and he’ll need to refine his release package to consistently beat NFL corners off the line. Comparisons to former Iowa State WR Hakeem Butler highlight the risk of over-relying on physical traits, but Higgins’ polished route-running and low drop rate mitigate those concerns.

Pro Comparison

Nico Collins (Houston Texans) / Kenny Golladay (formerly New York Giants)

Other Rookie Profiles

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