The Texans are aware that they need help on the offensive side of the ball. They drafted two receivers last season and brought in David Montgomery this offseason to try to add balance to a defense that is elite. Jayden Higgins has the size profile to put up fantasy football numbers, but a hit-and-miss rookie season has us left with just as many questions as we had 12 months ago.
Should You Draft Jayden Higgins in Fantasy Football?
Entering his sophomore season, Higgins presents a fascinating evaluation for managers in 2026. After being selected as a 2025 second-round draft pick (34th overall), Higgins flashed high-end traits during his rookie campaign. While he did not break overall fantasy scoring records right out of the gate, he showcased an athletic pedigree and a nose for the end zone that should not be ignored. As the Houston offense looks to find its rhythm and solidify its receiving hierarchy, Higgins could carve out a role that warrants attention.
Whether you are staring down your redraft board in the late rounds or looking for an intriguing acquisition in your dynasty leagues, accurately assessing Higgins requires looking beyond just the box score. From his imposing physical metrics to the undeniable context of his quarterback, I think there’s a path for optimsim, even if it’s not clear when your patience will be rewarded.
Higgins’ Redraft Fantasy Football Value
In redraft leagues, Higgins is best viewed as an upside late-round flier rather than someone you truly are banking on developing. When examining his rookie production, the sheer volume wasn’t entirely there yet: only 41 catches last season and inconsistencies in terms of attention to route detail.
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However, the efficiency and situational usage were incredibly promising, as he managed to score a touchdown on six of those grabs, and TDs are the quickest way to reward us for single-week flex usage. Remember that we aren’t looking for 10-ish points weekly; we want access to upside on the few weeks we look this far down the fantasy depth chart.
A significant portion of that red-zone prowess stems directly from his physical build. At 6’4”, 215 pounds, Higgins has the pure size and contested-catch ability to overpower defensive backs. When evaluating his role, we have to look at fellow 2025 draft pick Jaylin Noel. Noel undeniably has less skill overlap with WR1 Nico Collins, and that makes him the better scheme fit for this specific offense. But, again, fantasy football isn’t just about scheme fits, especially as you dumpster dive in the later rounds.
- Weekly Upside: The elite athletic profile of Higgins allows him to hold the definitive edge in weekly upside, something that we find appealing as he is only going to be counted on as an occasional flex option, not a weekly lineup staple. You want bench players who can spike for two touchdowns on any given Sunday, and Higgins fits that bill right now given that there are targets to fight for in the WR room behind Collins.
- The Stroud Factor: If you want a cheap bet on quarterback C.J. Stroud returning to his magnificent rookie season form, targeting Higgins in the late rounds isn’t a bad way to do it. A rising tide lifts all boats, and a revitalized Stroud would inject major value into a second receiver in Houston, a role that Higgins has a real shot at earning.
- Contingent Value: Collins has missed time in all five of his professional seasons. So even if you’re just chasing contingent value, there’s a track record to believe in. If Collins goes down, Higgins is the next man up for those highly coveted perimeter targets.
Higgins’ Dynasty Fantasy Football Value
When transitioning the lens to dynasty leagues, the strategy becomes more clear to me: buy Higgins now and hope.
That’s not to say that he is a lock to produce in a major way this season, or ever. Player development is notoriously non-linear, and the NFL landscape shifts rapidly. But it does feel like we could be at a serious crossroads in the Stroud era. If he manages to elevate his play the way he proved highly capable of as a rookie, a talented prospect like Higgins could easily come along for the ride, and you’d have a high-leverage asset acquired at next to no cost.
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Conversely, if Stroud flames out and is a liability to the passing attack, the entire Houston offense will likely need a total reimagining. In that universe, your late-round rookie draft pick or low-level trade acquisition isn’t going to pan out… something that dynasty teams overcome every single year without breaking a sweat. The opportunity cost to acquire him is low and that’s fueling my interest.
Ultimately, this is the exact type of profile that sharp dynasty managers invest in: a reasonable lottery ticket that can only elevate your team’s trajectory given his cost. Whether he blossoms into a reliable WR2 or remains a rotational red-zone threat, betting on his draft capital and physical frame is a sound process.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.