NFL experts mostly love the Jayden Higgins pick for the Texans

[ASFN Admin]

The Houston Texans have found a new playmaker for C.J. Stroud.

After moving back nine spots on Thursday night from the No. 25 overall pick, the Texans stood pat to select Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgisn 34th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. For the second straight draft, Houston's first pick

A third-team AP All-American, Higgins was one of the league's top pass-patchers in the Big 12, hauling in 87 catches for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns in his final season with the Cyclones. His 6-foot-4 frame and superb route-running should make him an immediate starter on the outside in place of the injured Tank Dell.

Jayden Higgins has some of the surest hands in the class

Higgins dropped just four of his 295 targets since 2022 https://t.co/0y5vXAKq5mpic.twitter.com/u5mVvlRpKO

— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) April 25, 2025

Experts, for the most part, love the selection since it gives the Texans another force on the outside to pair with Nick Collins.. After breaking out at Eastern Kentucky, the 6-foot-4 Miami native carried over his consistent play style in Ames, helping the Cyclones reach another 10-win season under Matt Campbel.. That same mentality won over general manager Nick Caserio and new offensive coordinator Nick Caley.

Here is what some experts think about the Texans' selection of Higgins.

USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: B+ ​

Rounding out the receiving corps made sense for Houston given the departure of Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell's uncertain status, and the Texans got ahead of a possible run on the position early on Day 2. Higgins has drawn comparisons to new teammate Nico Collins and should be a matchup problem on in-breaking routes and in contested-catch scenarios.

Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY Sports: A-​

Houston uses its first pick of the night on a big-bodied pass catcher in Higgins. He ran a limited route tree with the Cyclones but has a great combination of speed and jump ball abilities. He could end up in the slot or outside for a receiver-needy Texans team.

CBS Sports' ChrisTrapasso: A -​

Size, smoothness, athleticism reminiscent of Courtland Sutton. Big-time combine workout. Not as dominant at the catch point. Solid, not tremendous post-catch. But runs crisp routes in a large frame for C.J. Stroud. Really fun, towering and alongside Nico Collins. Sensible position to address here.

Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski: B​

First, he has a 6'4" frame and big catch radius. He knows how to use his size, too. Second, he's not going to drop passes. According to The 33rd Team, Higgins had the lowest drop rate among any of this year's top wide receiver prospects. Finally, the second-team All-Big 12 selection is an outstanding all-around athlete who posted a 9.62 relative athletic score, per Kent Lee Platte.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL experts mostly love the Jayden Higgins pick for the Texans

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