The Houston Texans passing attack is going to look dramatically different in 2025. Former offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is gone, replaced by Nick Caley. The offensive line is completely overhauled with offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil now posting up in Washington after a trade this spring. Six new linemen on the two-deep offer a legitimate chance to make the roster. Houston's wide receiver room has some fresh faces, too.
The most prominent new addition is veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk. The most intriguing may well be Iowa State rookie Jaylin Noel thanks to his slot ability, compact build and blazing speed. The one who profiles the most like current Houston Texans star Nico Collins? That would be Jayden Higgins. Higgins is the "other' Iowa State wide receiver to call Houston home in the NFL from this year's NFL Draft, although it's fair to point out that Higgins was the first one drafted of the two.
Higgins posted one of the highlight plays of the Texans' first day of mandatory minicamp today — a contested one-handed catch down the sideline on a perfect ball floated by quarterback CJ Stroud.
Nico Collins 2.0? There's a lot of distance to be covered before anything remotely close to that potential is realized. But this is exactly the kind of play you'd expect from a 6-foot-4 wide receiver with a 91st percentile wingspan. Collins is a similarly constructed supersized receiver — and the potential of both of them working the perimeter together is enough to get any fan riled up. With Stroud's accuracy downfield, having physical catch radius players like Collins and Higgins could be a potent combination that wins matchups in isolation.
This formula for success is, of course, predicated on Higgins emerging as a rookie and living up to his potential as a downfield target. But the early flashes in minicamp are clearly there and it's giving very promising vibes for one of Houston's marquee draft choices from this past April.
