The Houston Texans are expecting a massive jump from second-year wide receiver Jayden Higgins as they prepare to make their deepest run in the playoffs in the DeMeco Ryans era.
They’ll need to see growth, especially with second-year standout Jaylin Noel on the NFI list with a finger issue and Tank Dell still working his way back from injury.
It’s early in training camp, so expectations are low, but takeaways are high. As the team prepares for their first indoor practice, Higgins has been the best offensive weapon, turning heads through drills, especially in team reps as C.J. Stroud’s second-best threat.
“You’re seeing a guy who we’re able to move around the formation a little bit more, get him inside the formation, “Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s making some plays everywhere we put him. On the first play of practice today, he ran a great route and C.J. gave him a great ball. It just shows his growth and shows a guy you can rely on.”
During team drills, Higgins was a consistent threat on moving the chains. He picked up a first down while going up against two-time All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. He also won a battle against Jaylin Smith for a pickup of 12.
“I expect him to be a dominant force,” Ryans said Wednesday. “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. I wanted to take steps on where he can grow past this the things that he’s already good at.”
Last season was all about finding his groove, something that eventually flourished into a pretty extensive part of the Texans’ passing game. By the season’s end, Higgins was the secondary option on the outside, hauling in 41 passes for nearly 600 yards and tying Collins for the team lead with six receiving touchdowns.
He’s continuing to build a consistent rapport with Stroud in the passing game through the early stages of camp. Should that continue, Houston might have a pair of pocket aces to play with on the outside.
“There’s no surprise in him carrying himself the way he does and being a professional and him taking a leap and a step,” new Texans running back and fellow Iowa State alum David Montgomery said. “So yeah, I’m not surprised at all.”
The Texans return to practice on Friday and Saturday, including having an open practice to the public Saturday afternoon.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans WR Jayden Higgins looks like a big winner through early stages of training camp
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
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By Cole Thompson, Texans Wire | USA TODAY Network
