Who Should I Start? Diontae Johnson or Jayden Higgins

Thursday, June 12, 3:36 PM

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Diontae Johnson is focused on changing the perception surrounding him this season after a tumultuous 2024, he told ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi on Wednesday. Johnson was all over the place last season, leading the Carolina Panthers in receiving through the first seven games before a mid-year trade to Baltimore -- and eventual release after he refused to play in Week 13. The Texans claimed him, and he caught two passes for them in Week 18, but was waived after their wild-card win over the Chargers due to his "visible frustration" after playing just 15 snaps. The 28-year-old will get a chance to prove himself in Cleveland, as the target competition behind fellow WR Jerry Jeudy and tight end David Njoku isn't too daunting. Still, the offense's success will largely depend on who is calling signals for the Browns in 2025, and even that might not be a guarantee on a weekly basis.

Thursday, May 8, 7:54 PM

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.