The Houston Texans have a roster spot up for grabs at the wide receiver position heading into training camp.
The Houston Texans have seven wide receivers on their roster competing for what will likely be the fifth and final spot.
Texans’ general manager Rick Smith recently added free agent wide receiver Dres Anderson in order to fill the vacancy left behind by Keith Mumphrey who was recently released.
Texans’ head coach Bill O’Brien has kept five wide receivers on the roster heading into the regular season in two of the last three years. The Texans had six in 2015, but traded Keshawn Martin to the New England Patriots after week one.
The Frontrunners
Wendall Williams
Williams is entering his second year in the NFL. He was signed off the practice squad after Jaelen Strong was placed on injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury last season.
Williams has the clear advantage over the rest of the receivers, since he has been with the Texans since the last year’s offseason workouts.
Williams saw action during the 2016 regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.
His legit 4.2 forty speed is always a threat to opposing defensive backs because Williams has the ability to stretch the field like fellow wide receiver and teammate Will Fuller.
Williams could be the perfect insurance if Fuller were to suffer an injury that would force him to miss a couple of games. There was no other player last season aside from Fuller that could beat cornerbacks that were in playing in an off coverage.
Riley McCarron
Listed at 5-foot-9, McCarron is an athletic freak! He posted astounding numbers during his pro day that were similar to Heisman runner-up and Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey.
The knock on the former Iowa wide receiver was was because of his poor production in the college. He only had 50 receptions for 584 yards and five touchdowns during his collegiate career.
However, McCarron’s pedestrian stats can be attributed towards Iowa’s offense, which relies heavily on the run. So he rarely saw the ball come his way.
Injuries will always be a concern with McCarron’s small frame, but he can give the Texans great depth as a slot receiver. He is the second best option on their roster right now.
The Underdogs
Deante Gray
Unfortunately Gray suffered a partially torn hamstring during OTA’s and will be out until training camp. He will then have to make up a lot of ground during the preseason.
Shaq Hill and Justin Hardee
Hill and Hardee were both signed as undrafted rookie free agents.
Hardee will be a player to watch during preseason games as well as training camp because he has good size and the athleticism to play wide receiver in the NFL.
Dres Anderson and Chris Thompson
Both Anderson and Thompson were added later on during OTA workouts.
Anderson was signed after Mumphery was waived, and Thompson was added to the roster after the subsequent release of Tevin Jones.
Anderson and Thompson seem more like practice squad candidates than day one contributors.