The Houston Texans wide receiver room had its share of highs and head-scratchers this past season. There were flashes of brilliance, moments where you saw the potential of a dynamic group - but there were just as many stretches where the production didn’t quite match the promise.
Let’s start at the top: Nico Collins. The breakout star crossed the 1,100-yard mark, establishing himself as the clear WR1 in Houston.
But even with that impressive stat line, there were games where Collins seemed like a background player instead of the focal point. Whether that’s on the play-calling or the chemistry with C.J.
Stroud, one thing is clear - Collins needs to be a bigger part of the game plan week in and week out. He’s the kind of receiver who can tilt the field, and the Texans can’t afford to let that kind of talent go underused.
Behind Collins, things got murky. Christian Kirk was expected to be the reliable No. 2, a veteran presence who could take pressure off Collins and give Stroud another steady target.
But that never really materialized. Week after week, Kirk was more of a ghost than a go-to guy, and Houston’s offense felt the void.
Enter Jayden Higgins. The rookie second-round pick didn’t waste his opportunity.
After a slow start - which is typical for first-year players adjusting to the speed of the NFL - Higgins found his footing and ended the season with over 500 yards and six touchdowns. That’s no small feat.
He’s got the size and physicality to be a mismatch nightmare, and as his confidence grew, so did his role in the offense. If he keeps trending upward, Higgins could be a breakout candidate in 2026.
The Texans would be wise to feed him more targets and let him build on what he started.
Then there’s Jaylin Noel, another rookie and a former college teammate of Higgins at Iowa State. While Higgins made his mark as a wideout, Noel made his presence felt on special teams.
He brought a jolt of energy to the return game and showed the kind of burst that can flip field position in a heartbeat. As a receiver, he had his moments, but the coaching staff clearly saw him as a developmental piece.
That’s not a knock - rookies develop at different paces, and Noel made the most of his limited snaps. He’s got the tools to be more than just a return man, and next season could be when he starts to carve out a real role in the offense.
Xavier Hutchinson also deserves a mention. He stepped up when needed and provided solid depth. He’s not likely to push for a starting job, but every team needs a guy like Hutchinson - dependable, ready, and capable of filling in without the offense missing a beat.
And then there’s the biggest question mark in the room: Tank Dell. When he’s healthy, Dell is electric - plain and simple.
He brings a different dimension to the offense with his speed, quickness, and playmaking ability. The problem is, staying on the field has been a challenge.
Two straight seasons cut short by injury have made it tough to count on him as a week-to-week contributor. But if Dell can stay healthy, even for a stretch, he’s the kind of player who can change games.
The Texans don’t have another receiver quite like him.
Looking at the group as a whole, there’s a lot to like. Collins is a legit No.
- Higgins looks like a rising star.
Noel has explosive upside. Dell, if healthy, is a difference-maker.
And the depth behind them is solid. This isn’t a unit that needs a total overhaul.
What it needs is continuity, growth, and maybe a little more consistency in how the talent is deployed.
Adding another piece for depth wouldn’t hurt, but the Texans are in a good spot. They’ve got a young, talented core that’s already shown it can produce - now it’s about taking that next step.