Houston Texans DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Per the team's transaction logs, the Houston Texans have signed third-round wide receiver Jaylin Noel to a four-year, $6.46 million deal. Noel was the No. 79 overall pick and the second of two Iowa State wideouts selected by the Texans, joining second-rounder and fellow Cyclone Jayden Higgins. With the news that WR Tank Dell (knee) will likely miss the 2025 season, the door is open for both pass catchers to compete for snaps and impact the field. Veteran wideout Christian Kirk does pose a threat and significant target competition. Particularly for Noel, who profiles more like Kirk, considering he operated out of the slot in college. However, the rookie bolsters much more juice than the veteran (4.39 40-yard dash) and should eventually make his way to the starting roster. He caught 80 balls for 1,194 yards last season (eight TDs) and is also a seasoned returner.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Houston Texans second-round wide receiver Jayden Higgins has signed his four-year, $11.7 million rookie deal. The Texans chose the 22-year-old with the second pick of the second round (their first selection) in last month's draft -- the first of two wideouts taken, joining third-rounder Jaylin Noel. With the news that teammate Tank Dell (knee) will most likely miss the 2025 season due to a complex knee injury he suffered last December, Higgins should get an immediate opportunity to make an impact on the field. The Iowa state alum is a big-bodied receiver with burst, who should operate nicely across from incumbent starter Nico Collins. Fortunately for him, he needs only beat out Christian Kirk to operate as the team's second wideout, and Kirk typically runs from the slot, where Higgins doesn't project to line up.

The Houston Texans claimed linebacker Jackson Woodard off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Woodard was the ninth-ranked linebacker on Chad Reuter's undrafted free-agent rookie list. The 22-year-old had signed with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent out of UNLV before being waived this week. Woodard began his college career playing at Arkansas before transferring to UNLV in 2023. He was named a first-team All-Mountain West selection twice and was the league's Defensive Player of the Year in 2024. Woodard will now try to further impress the Texans' coaching staff in training camp this summer as he looks to earn a 53-man roster spot.