The Houston Texans already know what they have in Nico Collins. Now Collins thinks they may be sitting on their next star receiver in Jayden Higgins.
That kind of praise matters, especially when it comes from a wideout who has established himself as Houston’s top target. After Saturday’s practice, Collins didn’t just compliment Higgins. He sounded convinced the second-year receiver is on a path to becoming the kind of player who defines a franchise.
"That boy a dog. You see the work he's been putting in, man.
It's showing up on the grass field. He's got all the tools in the world.
The dude's going to be the face of this franchise one year, dog," Collins said after Saturday's practice.
"And like, his playmaking ability, his size, the disadvantage, man. He's got all of the tools in the world.
I can't wait to see him rock out this year, man. It's going to be exciting."
Higgins gave Houston plenty to like last season, especially as he settled into a bigger role down the stretch. He became a steady threat in C.J. Stroud’s offense and emerged as one of the Texans’ top three targets behind Collins and tight end Dalton Schultz.
By the end of the season, Higgins had 41 catches for 525 yards and six total touchdowns. His 12.8 yards per reception ranked second on the Texans, trailing only Collins.
At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds with a 6-foot-7 wingspan, Higgins already brings the kind of physical profile that turns heads. The Texans have seen enough to believe there’s more there, too. He has strong hands, routes with polish, and separates well enough to get open deep while also winning in contested situations.
That combination has already made him a factor in the red zone and on the perimeter. He can line up at X, Z, and even in the slot, which gives Houston a receiver who can create problems all over the formation.
Higgins is still young, entering his age-23 season, but the appeal is obvious. He finished his rookie year with momentum, and now he’s had a full offseason to sharpen his game physically and technically.
The Texans appear ready to expand his role even more in 2025. If that happens, Collins’ confidence won’t look like hype for long. It will look like a teammate recognizing another one of Houston’s pass-catchers is ready for a much bigger stage.
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