HOUSTON – Houston Texans rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins has signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $11.7 million contract, making him the first second-round draft pick in NFL history to sign a fully guaranteed deal.
The Texans drafted Higgins, a collegiate standout at Iowa State, with the second pick in the second round (No. 34 overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Fully guaranteed rookie contracts are generally reserved for first round picks in the NFL Draft, but Higgins’ contract with the Texans marks the first time a player drafted outside of the first round has had a fully guaranteed rookie deal.
“I just feel blessed,” Higgins said after being drafted by the Texans on April 25. “I got that call and my family and me, we were just super excited. I’m happy and ready to play for a great organization.”
As a senior at Iowa State in 2024, Higgins made 87 receptions for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns while earning Third Team AP All-American honors. The 6-foot-4, 214-pound receiver ran a 4.47 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Draft Combine in February and “was the best player” on the Texans’ draft board when he was selected, general manager Nick Caserio said after the draft.
Higgins is one of two Iowa State receivers drafted by the Texans, along with Jaylin Noel, who was selected in the third round, 79th overall. Higgins was also drafted one pick after the Cleveland Browns took UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger with the first pick of the second round, No. 33 overall.
The Texans’ rookie minicamp began on Friday at NRG Stadium in Houston.