Jayden Higgins

Jayden Higgins had a quiet rookie season statistically, but the Texans' second-round pick showed encouraging flashes once his role expanded late in the year. Higgins started earning more playing time after Week 10 and proved capable of stepping up whenever Nico Collins missed time, flashing both touchdown upside and starter-level usage. Entering Year 2, Higgins is positioned as Houston's full-time No. 2 receiver with clear contingent upside if Collins were ever sidelined. He's an appealing late-round depth target in deeper fantasy formats, especially given the coaching staff's confidence in his long-term potential.

We should always be looking to take swings on talented second-year wide receivers for fantasy football, and Jayden Higgins fits the bill as a possible late-round breakout candidate for 2026. Last year, in Weeks 8-18, Higgins had seven finishes as a WR3 or better in weekly scoring. During that stretch, Higgins, among 119 qualifying receivers, also ranked 24th in target per route run rate (24%) and 38th in first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). During those 11 games, among the same group of 119 receivers, Higgins was also 28th in yards per route run and 25th in route win rate as a perimeter receiver. If C.J. Stroud can at least be a league-average passer in 2026, Higgins could be a weekly WR2/3 or flex option. He also has contingent upside if Nico Collins misses any time.