Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins’ goal in 2026 is to dominate. His teammates and coaching staff are expecting it after his early camp showing.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
When the Houston Texans returned this spring for offseason workouts, there was one player everyone kept whispering about.
The player looked different. He was bigger, stronger and faster. He played with more confidence, they said.
That player was second-year receiver Jayden Higgins, who has been one of the stars through one week of training camp. He’s made several catches throughout camp, including three on Derek Stingley Jr. in Tuesday’s practice.
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When asked what’s different about Higgins, Stingley said it’s the receiver’s connection with quarterback C.J. Stroud.
“He’s more in sync with C.J.,” Stingley said. “C.J. knows more about how he’s going to play or run a route. I feel like their timing is better.”
It’s clear to anyone watching that Higgins is on a mission this season. After making 41 catches for 525 yards and six touchdowns last season, Higgins wants more.
The Houston Chronicle spoke to Higgins for a one-on-one interview this week. Higgins said his goal doesn’t involve specific stats. But it’s a simple one.
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“Go out there and dominate,’ Higgins said. ‘Every play, every game, no matter who is in front of me.’
Jayden Higgins’ expectation: to dominate
Higgins’ 2025 was a mixed bag. He started slow, with just nine catches for 121 yards and a touchdown through the first six weeks of the season.
He finally found his rhythm after the Seattle game in Week 6, recording three games of 55 receiving yards or more, and five of his six touchdowns over the remaining 11 weeks of the season.
He said the reason for the uptick was having more opportunities and taking advantage of them.
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Still, the Texans needed more from their receivers opposite of Nico Collins last season. And that was evident in their loss to the New England Patriots. With Collins out with a concussion that game, Higgins led all receivers with six catches for 59 yards.
Jayden Higgins has pleased both fans and his teammates with his work early in training camp.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
But Houston lacked explosive plays when Collins was out, and that’s what Higgins wants to provide with more consistency this season.
He said he worked out relentlessly this offseason, adding strength that he showed when Stingley tried to jam him in one-on-one drills Tuesday. Higgins won that battle of strength, and created so much separation that he had a wide-open path to the end zone for a deep touchdown. Higgins said another one of his goals was to master the offense, so he dove deep into the playbook.
“If C.J. throws it to me 20 times, I want to catch it 20 times,” Higgins said. “Just trying to make sure I’m sharp. Catching the ball on the jugs (machine), getting stronger, in the room with the coach making sure I know the assignment.”
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Higgins said he built that chemistry with Stroud through several throwing sessions this offseason, including a trip to Los Angeles, and some in Houston. He said their relationship has grown even stronger from last year, as Stroud has continued to instill faith in him.
Stroud said the same, and has high expectations for the second-year receiver.
“I expect him to be a dominant force,” Stroud said of Higgins. “A guy who can make plays on the first, second and third levels. I think he’s gotten better. I think he’s learning and he’s listening more.”
Goal to be more explosive
Offensive coordinator Nick Caley is using Higgins in different areas of the field now. Not only is Higgins lining up on the outside, but Caley is also using him in the slot. And he credits Higgins’ knowledge of the offense for that.
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With Higgins’ 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame, he’s a nightmare for opposing defenses — similar to Collins. And that’s something Caley is looking forward to utilizing.
“He can play on the perimeter, he can play on the inside,” Caley told the Chronicle. “Honestly, from a route tree standpoint, there’s nothing he really can’t do. He complements Nico so well, and our receiver room so well.”
Higgins’ growth will be one of the keys to this offense taking the next step in growth. If he can be a factor and another weapon for Stroud, it can open up plenty of opportunities. He started to show that late last year. His best play was against the Chargers, when he caught a 75-yard touchdown pass from Stroud on the game’s opening drive.
He wants to do more of that.
“At the end of the day, we’re trying to be more explosive,” he said. “We’re trying to push the ball down field, get those big plays and keep the drive moving.”