Is Texans Receiving Corps NFL's Worst?
While he'll have running back Dameon Pierce to lean on, Houston Texans' rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud will have his work cut out trying to get his footing in the NFL with an underwhelming group of pass catchers.
In fact, Pro Football Focus recently ranked Houston's pass catchers -- which includes wide receivers, tight ends and running backs -- dead-last in the NFL at No. 32:
"The Texans bring up the rear in these rankings with no go-to player in the passing game on their roster. I like Robert Woods as a WR2 or WR3, but not as a WR1. I also like Noah Brown, but not as a WR2. The same can be said for Nico Collins.
"John Metchie III could be a good player for Houston, but there is a big unknown with him missing all last season. They did sign tight end Dalton Schultz in free agency, which was a good signing. But his presence raises the floor more than it elevates the ceiling. It’s still very much a rebuilding offense in Houston."
While Woods had consecutive years of more than 1,000 receiving yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 2018 and 2019, it's probably a stretch to even call him a No. 2 wide receiver at this stage of his career. Now 31, Woods had 53 catches for 527 yards last season with the Tennessee Titans.
There is quite a bit to like in the signing of Schultz to a one-year/$6.25 million deal. While he disappointed in his final season with the Dallas Cowboys, Schultz had 78 catches for 808 yards and eight touchdowns in 2021. If he can regain that form, the 26-year-old could become part of the long-term plans in Houston.
Still, the best bet internally for someone to become an impact receiver may be from Metchie. Even as he competed with Jameson Williams for targets, Metchie had 96 receptions for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns in his final collegiate season at Alabama.
Unfortunately for him, he's since had a run of poor health. Metchie tore his left ACL in the SEC Championship Game in December of 2021 and then missed his entire rookie season as he battled leukemia. Now with a clean bill of health, there's hope that the former second-round pick can make an impact in 2022.
Make no mistake, though, Stroud doesn't have much to work with right now. And because the Texans traded their 2024 first-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for the opportunity to draft defensive end, Will Anderson Jr., they almost certainly won't be in a position to take Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. in next year's NFL Draft.
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