Steve Smith compares Jayden Higgins to LARRY FITZGERALD 🤯 Rookie Report Card
The Houston Texans offense is officially scary, and rookie Jayden Higgins is a major reason why. After a steady start to the season, Higgins exploded midway through 2025, solidifying his role as a premier target for C.J. Stroud.
NFL Legend Steve Smith Sr. and Insider James Palmer break down the film to show how the rookie transitioned from a “big-bodied prospect” into a polished NFL technician. Steve doesn’t use the comparison lightly, but he sees specific traits in Jayden’s game that remind him of the great Larry Fitzgerald.
Inside the Episode:
*The Fitzgerald Comparison:* Steve breaks down Jayden’s elite hands. He explains how Higgins uses his 6-foot-4 frame not just for size, but for late-hands positioning that mirrors Hall of Fame footwork.
*The Comfort Curve:* We look at the “switch” that flipped in Week 5. Steve and James discuss the visible jump in confidence Higgins showed as he began to master the nuance of the Texans’ scheme, moving from a role player to a consistent chain-mover.
The 5-Category Grading:
*Route Running:* How did he improve his breaks as the year went on?
*Role Acceptance:* Fitting in alongside Nico Collins.
*Big Dog Factor:* What happens when Tank Dell returns?
*Transition:* Going from Iowa State to a Super Bowl contender.
*Potential:* Is he a future WR1 in this league?
Texans fans: Is Jayden Higgins the best rookie receiver in the 2025 class? Give us your letter grade for him in the comments! 👇
0:00 Jayden Higgins
1:40 Film
12:50 Grades
#houstontexas #texans #cjstroud #fantasyfootball #nfl #widereceiver #nfldraft
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20 comments
When’s the Emeka egbuka video coming out?
bro had to change that title rq😂🙏🏾
Great 👍🏾 analysis on Higgins 🏉
Ik Williams didn’t do much, but he showed flashes. I think year 2 is gonna be big for him.
Higgins release package is crazy good especially for a 6’4” receiver
This breakdown is great, no doubt, but can we just appreciate Steve’s MF DOOM Rhymes Like Dimes tee!!? 😮💨🔥
Higgins is a great player for our
Higgins is great for our team Texans SWARM
CJ is just trash and that’s what’s impacting the WRs.
I’m glad someone else sees the struggles of our O isn’t just failures on CJ’s part. We gotta help that man and Higgins is a key piece for our future to do just that.
bro said tank dell
He should've had almost 1000 yrds if CJ wasn't cheeks all year
I’m a Texans fan and Larry had 1k with 13 tuddies his rookie year. Higgins has a lil ways to go but he’s very impressive. Just underutilized in my opinion
Now the whole country talking cray about cj and they dont understand dude gets no help from the OC
He was supposed to be a 1st rd pick but no one really needed a wr
If Jayden Higgins balls out next year, Nico will be traded. End of season or next season.
Great assessment on the Texans O & its struggles.
I want to see the Texans/Stroud capitalize more on go balls on Higgins in 1 on 1. He was dusting people.
Also CJ late in the year said he had to let Higgins know he didn’t have to do too much to get open & use his size & speed saying it’s him vs DL, not DB (timing)
man I really enjoyed that! I had no clue Tank was the alpha in the room!
Steve finally said it best stroud drop back and figure it out only 44 rushing yards in a divisional playoff game
But these dumb asses blaming everything on cj stroud
If Steve smith speaking on it, it’s always real