The Houston Texans have addressed one of their biggest needs with their first two picks of the 2025 NFL Draft. They had to wait until the second round after trading away their first-round selection to the New York Giants, who turned that pick into quarterback Jaxson Dart. But now, the Texans have landed their replacement for Stefon Diggs and the injured Tank Dell.
Texans Select Iowa State WRs Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel
Looking to fill the hole left by Diggs, the Texans were also expected to target the offensive line after C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 times last season — the second-most in the NFL behind rookie Caleb Williams.
Instead, Houston used its first selection of the draft on Iowa State receiver Jayden Higgins. The 6’4″ wideout had his best collegiate season last year with the Cyclones, catching 87 passes for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns.
Then, in the third round, Houston doubled down at WR by drafting Higgins’ college teammate, Jaylin Noel. In his senior year, he posted 1,194 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, earning First-Team All-Big 12 honors as a punt returner. He is widely regarded as one of the most explosive wideouts in the 2025 draft class.
The Texans have made it clear that they are building around Stroud to showcase his passing skills. With Diggs out and Higgins and Noel in, let’s take a look at how Houston’s wide receiver room stacks up heading into 2025.
Evaluating the 2025 Texans Wide Receiver Room
- Nico Collins
- Christian Kirk
- Tank Dell
- Jayden Higgins
- Jaylin Noel
- John Metchie III
- Justin Watson
- Braxton Berrios
- Xavier Hutchinson
- Johnny Johnson III
- Xavier Johnson
- Jared Wayne
In addition to Higgins and Noel, the Texans’ receiving corps also features stars like Nico Collins and Tank Dell, along with newcomer Christian Kirk, free-agent addition Braxton Berrios, and a group that includes John Metchie III, Xavier Hutchinson, Justin Watson, Johnny Johnson III, Xavier Johnson, and Jared Wayne.
The Texans view Collins as their true No. 1 receiver, so that role is locked in. Dell should slide back into the No. 2 spot with Diggs gone (once healthy), although newcomer Christian Kirk could challenge for that role. Kirk shined in his first year with the Jaguars in 2022 but has struggled with injuries in the past two seasons. When healthy, Kirk and Dell could rotate between playing opposite Collins or lining up in the slot.
As for Higgins, it’s tough to peg his exact fit early on — but that could be a good thing. He’ll have the chance to ease into the system while learning from established veterans under head coach DeMeco Ryans. That said, Ryans will certainly look for ways to get Higgins involved and highlight his athleticism as another weapon for Stroud. Noel will likely fill a role similar to Dell as a speedster and deep threat.
While protecting Stroud remains a priority, the Texans have clearly given him no shortage of targets heading into 2025.
It may be early to project exactly where Higgins and Noel fit at the start of the season, but a strong training camp and early chemistry with Stroud could help them carve out big roles quickly.