Houston Texans: Keke Coutee provided spark during rookie season
Houston Texans rookie wide receiver Keke Coutee provided a spark to the offense in 2018 when he was able to be on the field, but he provides even more excitement for future seasons.
Keke Coutee might not be the best wide receiver on the Houston Texans, and he wasn’t the best overall rookie for the team either this past season, but the wide receiver — when he was able to be on the field — provided a great spark to an offense that needed it on many occassions.
When the Texans were healthy on offense at wide receiver, meaning when DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller and Coutee were all on the field at the same time, things got every interesting and exciting, and the unit was tough to handle.
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Though all three players weren’t healthy all at the same time for many games, Coutee played in a total of seven games counting the AFC WIld Card game.
In the regular season Coutee totaled 28 receptions, then added 11 more receptions in the one playoff game. Coutee in the Wild Card loss to the Indianapolis Colts totaled the 11 receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown. Coutee was targeted 14 times in the game against Indy, where his top reception in the game went for 20 yards.
For the regular season, Coutee had his 28 receptions on 41 targets from quarterback Deshaun Watson where his best regular season game was his NFL debut. That performance also came against the Colts where he totaled 11 receptions (on 15 targets) for 109 yards, including one reception of 19 yards.
Coutee was a fourth round pick by the Texans during the 2018 NFL Draft (103rd overall), but missed the first three games of the season due to a hamstring injury, a issue that affected his entire season which hampered his overall productivity.
Coutee did what was expected of him and then some when he was on the field this season. Coming out of Texas Tech, Coutee was known for his speed and that speed made him a dangerous player to have in 2018.
The longest reception of the season for Coutee went for 40 yards on Nov. 18 against the Washington Redskins, a game where he led the Texans with five receptions for 77 yards.
Houston has a lot to look forward to with Coutee in future seasons, having a player who won’t have to be the best player on the roster, but has the potential to be a big-time wide receiver on any given day. Once Fuller is healed next season, Coutee and Hopkins will prove the Texans a trio that will give defensive coordinators on their schedule many sleepless nights.
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If the hamstring issues can be worked on this offseason, and Coutee can stay on the field for an entire season, he’ll make a bigger difference for the team in ’19, which will be needed as the Texans have a very tough schedule awaiting them next season.
What are your thoughts on the rookie season of Coutee in 2018?