As was the case with all NFL teams, the Houston Texans’ roster saw plenty of changes this week as a result of Tuesday’s 53-man roster deadline. Stefon Diggs, Robert Woods, John Metchie, and Steven Sims went out for the wide receivers room. So, who is left in the receiving corp?
Houston Texans’ Wide Receiver Depth Chart
While plenty of wide receivers departed from Texas, in came Christian Kirk, Braxton Berrios, Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, and Justin Watson. Here’s everything you need to know about Higgins, Noel, and Kirk, who will be battling for targets in Week 1 at the Los Angeles Rams.
Who is Jayden Higgins?
Iowa State alum Higgins had an effective preseason, which could especially be seen during his 11 snaps against the Lions, in which he played on both the inside and outside. The rookie often showed sudden yet good movements in his routes to gain separation, in combination with his long strides and quick footwork.
He was originally selected by Houston as the No. 34 draft pick in 2025 and is known for using his size (6’4″, 215 pounds) to box out defenders, especially on shorter routes.
Who is Jaylin Noel?
Noel is another player who acted in Houston’s preseason with three receptions for 18 yards. He was taken in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the No. 79 overall pick. At the combine, he tied for the highest vertical with 41.5 and recorded the longest broad jump with 131.
Another Iowa State alum, Noel has navigated the ups and downs that come with being a league rookie alongside his former and current teammate, Higgens.
Who is Christian Kirk?
A 28-year-old veteran wide receiver, Kirk has league experience with the Arizona Cardinals and Jacksonville before his time on the Texans’ roster due to a trade from the Jaguars. The Texas A&M alum has caught 29 touchdowns across 5,176 yards in 93 games.
Many outlets have projected him as one of the receivers who will pair well with quarterback C.J. Stroud, though Kirk is entering the season after facing a dip in production from 2024. His career high came in 2022, with 1,108 yards from 17 receptions.
Read More: Should I Draft Christian Kirk? Fantasy Outlook for the Texans WR in 2025
As Yahoo Sports pointed out, most of the remaining wide receivers have been noteworthy for their efficiency in the short-passing game and their speed, giving Houston fans some clues as to where offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s direction of the Texans’ offense may be heading.