Latest news with #JaydenHiggins
NBC Sports
17 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Second round is current battleground for fully-guaranteed contracts
The collusion grievance, which found that the NFL/Management Council encouraged teams to violate the CBA, flowed from an effort to limit the spread of fully-guaranteed contracts. And there's an ongoing effort to limit the spread of fully-guaranteed contracts. The vast majority of all 2025 draft picks have signed their four-year rookie deals. In round two, 30 of the selections have yet to sign. The problem is that, for the first time ever, a second-round pick has gotten a fully-guaranteed contract. It started with Texans receiver Jayden Higgins, the second pick in round two. That sparked a fully-guaranteed contract for Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger, the first pick in the second round. For the next 30 picks, nothing has happened. Obviously, the players and their agents want as many of the deals as possible to be fully guaranteed. The teams want to draw the line as close to the third pick in round two (Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori) as possible. There's no colluding to be done, since the common goal of limited guaranteed deals is obvious. Still, it's the current battleground when it comes to whether the full four years of a contract will be guaranteed. None of the players will take something less than a fully-guaranteed deal below Emmanwori, because they don't want to be responsible for ending the run of fully-guaranteed deals. And every team will want to be the one that successfully held the rope and won the full-guarantee tug-o-war. Eventually, someone will have to blink. It'll probably start later in the round, with players who wouldn't expect to get a full guarantee anyway. And then it could work its way up the ladder. At some point, a player is going to insist on a fully-guaranteed deal and the team is going to insist on not fully guaranteeing the deal and there will be no middle ground. In a roundabout way, the mere existence of this problem proves that collusion, if it's happening, is far from universal. The Texans created the predicament by becoming the first team to give a fully-guaranteed contract to a second-round pick. If all 32 teams were in cahoots on a plan to limit fully-guaranteed contracts, the Texans never would have done that. However it plays out from here, one thing is clear. There won't be any emails or other written communications encouraging the teams to resist giving players fully-guaranteed deals. Documents like that nearly created a major problem for the NFL. It would still be a major problem, if the NFLPA had any inclination to capitalize on the leverage they've secured.
USA Today
18-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
81 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No. 81?
81 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No. 81? Jayden Higgins or Owen Daniels? Which player comes out on top? The Houston Texans are less than 100 days away from kicking off the 2025 season in Los Angeles against the Rams at SoFi Stadium and we're counting down the days until a victory ensues on the west coast. Texans Wire will each day tell you which player has worn the number of the day leading up to kickoff and pick the player who ensured the number best during their time at NRG Stadium. As for today, let's take a look at who has won No. 81 since the inaugural season in 2002. Texans players to wear No. 81 No. 81 currently belongs to wide receiver and second-round pick Jayden Higgins, whom the Texans believe can be a quality starting vertical option after two promising years at Iowa State. The 6-foot-4 pass-catcher is an explosive athlete who makes up for his overall route-running skills with strength after contact and solid hands. He's also been consistent, hauling in at least six touchdown receptions over his two years in Ames. In 2024, Higgins took over games, guiding the Cyclones to their first 11-win season in program history. Not only did he average over 16 yards per reception, but his 1,183 receiving yards ranked top five among Big 12 targets. Jaylin Noel, the Texans' third-round pick, finished with 1,194 yards. Higgins very well could be the greatest player in franchise history to don the number down the line, but there's a right answer entering the summer. It's been the only answer since he left the team in 2013. WR Jayden Higgins (2025) TE Eric Saubert (2023) TE Khale Warring (2019-2020) TE Anthony Denham (2014) TE Owen Daniels (2006-2013) TE Matt Murphy (2004-2005) TE Atnaf Harris (2002) Best Player: Owen Daniels Of course the greatest tight end in franchise history was listed as the top name. After being drafted out of Wisconsin in the fourth round, few players were as consistent as Daniels in the Gary Kubiak era on offense. Daniels was more than a quality receiver. He was a physical blocker in the run game and offered upside on special teams. In the passing game, Daniels added more of his fair share of numbers to keep the chains moving. In 2008, he posted a career-high 862 receiving yards and 70 catches, earning a Pro Bowl nod for his efforts. In 2012, Daniels made the Pro Bowl once more after posting six touchdowns and 716 receiving yards. While he won't go down as the greatest Texans' pass-catcher, Daniels will be remembered as an influential target in helping the franchise complete the revival and punch their ticket to the postseason for the first time in 2009. A loyal follower of Kubiak, Daniels joined the former Texans head coach in Baltimore (2014) and later Denver (2015), helping the Broncos win Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers before calling it a career. Houston history will remember Daniels well. Entering the 2025 season, he ranks third all-time in receptions (479), targets (602), receiving yards (4617), and touchdowns (29) while ranking seventh in yards per reception (12.0).
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
NFL rookie contract shakeup: 30 second-round picks still unsigned as guaranteed deals disrupt the system
Photo by Christopher Mast/Getty Image With just a month left until training camps kick off, one surprising trend has emerged: nearly the entire second round of the 2025 NFL Draft remains unsigned. While rookie deals are usually a formality in today's league, this year's second-round class has thrown a wrench into that timeline. Why? Two early signings—Houston's Jayden Higgins and Cleveland's Carson Schwesinger—have quietly set a new bar, demanding fully guaranteed contracts that were once reserved for first-rounders. Now, teams like the Seattle Seahawks are in a holding pattern as the ripple effects of those deals play out. Guaranteed rookie deals spark second-round freeze, signaling a major shift in NFL contract norms As of mid-June, 40 drafted players remained unsigned—and 30 of them were taken in the second round. It's a staggering number, especially when you consider the precedent. According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, only two second-rounders have officially inked their rookie contracts: linebacker Carson Schwesinger (No. 33, Browns) and wide receiver Jayden Higgins (No. 34, Texans). What do both players have in common? Fully guaranteed rookie deals—an anomaly for players outside the first round. 'When Higgins signed his contract with the Texans, it raised eyebrows,' Florio explained during an appearance on PFT Live this week. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo 'Not just because it was historic, but because it forced every other team to reassess how they structure second-round deals.' Schwesinger's contract soon followed the same pattern, suggesting this could be more than a one-off. Among the teams affected by this contract standoff are the Seahawks, who moved up to grab safety Nick Emmanwori with the 35th pick and also added tight end Elijah Arroyo later in the second round. They've signed nine of their 11 rookies—but these two remain unsigned. Seattle fans may recall that this wouldn't be their first experience with a groundbreaking second-round deal. In 2023, outside linebacker Derick Hall had most of his signing bonus paid before training camp and secured $100,000 guaranteed in his fourth season. However, that hasn't been the standard. Zach Charbonnet, Boye Mafe, and Kenneth Walker—other recent Seahawks second-rounders—don't have any guaranteed salary entering the final years of their deals. This standoff might just be the beginning of the NFL's next contract revolution This isn't about players trying to stir drama. It's a negotiation ripple that began with a bold new precedent—and could signal a permanent change to how second-round deals are structured. Emmanwori and Arroyo will likely sign eventually, but whether they follow the Higgins-Schwesinger route remains to be seen. As Florio put it, 'This might be the new normal. And the NFLPA has every reason to smile about it.' Until pen meets paper in Seattle and beyond, the rookie contract clock keeps ticking—and the rest of the league is watching. Also Read: The Cleveland Browns won't start Shedeur Sanders — But he might be the future they can't overlook
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
WATCH: Texans QB C.J. Stroud returns to practice, throwing during minicamp
Houston Texans fans can exhale a sigh of relief following the start of Tuesday's mandatory minicamp at the Methodist Training Center. Third-year Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud threw passes for the first time in almost a month during the opening of Tuesday's minicamp practice. He connected on several completions to Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins and rookie Jayden Higgins that caught the eye of reporters in practice. Advertisement Here's a look at several throws during the early stages of team drills. Stroud was kept from throwing during the Texans' OTA practices over the last two weeks because he was dealing with 'general soreness' in his throwing shoulder, according to head coach DeMeco Ryans. Both Ryans and first-year offensive coordinator Nick Caley said that they weren't concerned with Stroud missing reps and he'd be ready to go ahead of training camp. Stroud is in a pivotal year for the Texans after leading the franchise to back-to-back division titles. With a pair of losses in the divisional round, Houston spent the offeseason trying to revamp the offense and put the franchise quarterback in a better position to succeed. Advertisement While Stroud didn't throw during team drills, the fact that he was throwing at practice in general is a promising sign. Houston could elevate his reps on Wednesday's practice to close out minicamp with the media. The Texans open the regular season on the road against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 7. This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: WATCH: Texans QB C.J. Stroud throws at minicamp during drills
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nico Collins Issues Four-Word Assessment of Texans' Rookie WR Jayden Higgins
Nico Collins Issues Four-Word Assessment of Texans' Rookie WR Jayden Higgins originally appeared on Athlon Sports. With the Houston Texans beginning Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on Wednesday, veteran players were able to get a first-look at the team's new draft picks in action. Advertisement This included Texans' Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins, who was more than impressed with the team's top draft pick Jayden Higgins. "Boy is nice man," Collins said, in reference to the former Iowa State standout Higgins, who was drafted 34th overall by Houston. Collins went on to voice his excitement about both Higgins and Jaylin Noel, a Cyclones teammate of Higgins, who the Texans selected in the third round. "The type of guys we got bringing in, these playmakers man. It's an honor to share the field with them. It's only right we go out here and just get each other better, and learn from each other man," Collins said. National team wide receiver Jaylin Noel of Iowa State (12) and National team wide receiver Jayden Higgins of Iowa State (9) work through drillsVasha Hunt-Imagn Images Both Noel and Higgins turned heads in their final season in Ames, Iowa. Advertisement The 5-foot-11 shifty Noel led the Cyclones with 1,194 receiving yards, averaging 14.9 yards per catch. Higgins, who, like Collins is 6-foot-4, recorded 1,183 receiving yards and a team-leading nine touchdowns. With Collins and Higgins, the Texans have a pair of receivers that could create issues for opposing cornerbacks. "The size, length, physicality and athleticism now found in Houston's passing game is impressive and creates matchup nightmares." Bleacher Report's Brent Sobieski wrote in a recent article. Collins is also enjoying playing the role of mentor to the young wideout. "I'm here for him to lean on, I'm here to learn from him as well," Collins said. "I feel that's the only way you can improve on your game, just having an open mindset and being a book." Advertisement For Collins and Higgins, that chapter is just beginning. Related: Texans' Among Teams Projected to Trade for New York Jets Star Related: Texans' Will Anderson Jr. Gives First Impression of C.J. Stroud's Newest Protector This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
