Houston Texans positional breakdown: Wide receiver

Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Braxton Miller (1) makes a catch as Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Marshon Lattimore (2) defends during the first half in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Braxton Miller (1) makes a catch as Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Marshon Lattimore (2) defends during the first half in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
3 of 9
Nov 22, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Cecil Shorts (18) carries the ball off the direct snap against the New York Jets during the first quarter of a game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Cecil Shorts (18) carries the ball off the direct snap against the New York Jets during the first quarter of a game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

The versatile veteran, Cecil Shorts

The guy who lined up opposite Hopkins for most of 2015 was the former Jacksonville Jaguar, Cecil Shorts. The former divisional rival was an under-the-radar pickup, and offered a nice threat as a receiver, runner and occasional quarterback for the Texans.

Vitals
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 202 pounds
Age: 28
Career receptions: 218
Career yards: 2,827
Career TDs: 14

No one will confuse Shorts with a legitimate number one wideout, but what he brings to the table is speed and smarts on the field. He brought in 42 catches for 484 yards and two touchdowns for the Texans this past season.

He also showed he could help in other ways as the team turned to him as a wildcat quarterback after losing their starter Brian Hoyer to injury and having to turn things over to backup T.J. Yates who was recently added to the roster.

Shorts ran for 26 yards against the New York Jets and threw a touchdown pass on his only attempt of the season. He added another 20 yards rushing the following game against the New Orleans Saints.

As far as 2016 goes, look for Shorts to slide down some in terms of pass targets. The team brought in a lot of youth and while Shorts is now the old veteran of the bunch who can pass on his wisdom, the younger guys could offer more in terms of explosiveness.

Season prediction: 36 receptions, 392 yards, 1 TD

Next: The first round pick

Schedule