The Houston Texans have officially signed wide receiver Jayden Higgins on a four-year deal that makes NFL history.
Higgins was selected with the 34th pick of the 2025 Draft after catching 87 passes for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns in his final NCAA season. But despite being a second round pick, Higgins has been given a fully guaranteed contract worth $11.7 million.
ESPN reports that he is the first second round draft pick to receive a fully guaranteed rookie deal. That scale of investment signifies the strength of the Texans’ confidence in Higgins, a player who they hope will become a key passing target for young quarterback C. J. Stroud.
“Just a big target,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said of Higgins. “I know a lot of people say very similar to Nico (Collins) and what he’s able to do. But you get a receiver of his stature and with his catch radius — just opens up a lot of things for us offensively that I know all of our guys are excited about.”
The Texans are trying to build a team for the future but they must first come to terms with the loss of Stefon Diggs in free agency. Diggs signed to the Texans on a one-year deal last summer but opted to move to the New England Patriots this year, signing a three-year deal worth $63.5 million.
For his part, Higgins is looking forward to life with the Texans and if optimistic about the season ahead.
“I just feel blessed,” Higgins said after being drafted. “I got that call and my family and me, we were just super excited. I’m happy and ready to play for a great organization.”
“I’m just a player that’s going to come in and make plays no matter where I’m at on the field,” he continued. “I’m someone that’s going to be reliable and explosive. At the end of the day, I’m going to be that guy that that comes in and just makes the team better right away.”
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