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Houston Texans: 5 moves needed to compete with Indianapolis Colts in 2019

By Ryan Freeberg

HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 05: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans looks to pass under pressure by Margus Hunt #92 of the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter during the Wild Card Round at NRG Stadium on January 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 05: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans looks to pass under pressure by Margus Hunt #92 of the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter during the Wild Card Round at NRG Stadium on January 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 05: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Houston Texans runs after a catch defended by Clayton Geathers #26 of the Indianapolis Colts in the second half during the Wild Card Round at NRG Stadium on January 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 05: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Houston Texans runs after a catch defended by Clayton Geathers #26 of the Indianapolis Colts in the second half during the Wild Card Round at NRG Stadium on January 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

3. Attack draft and free agency for wide receivers

With names such as DeAndre Hopkins, Keke Coutee and Will Fuller, the Houston Texans already have great depth at wide receiver. The question for this group isn’t can they produce, it is can they stay healthy?

Hopkins was the only receiver for Houston to play the complete season. Fuller went down against the Miami Dolphins due to torn ACL, and Coutee suffered from hamstring issues throughout the season. Coutee was a Colts killer when he played against them, catching 11 passes in two of the games. Fuller only saw Indianapolis once this season due to his injury, catching four passes for 49 yards and touchdown.

Hopkins produced all-star like numbers in the team’s first meeting in Indianapolis — he caught 10 for 169 yards and touchdown — but struggled in the other two games, not catching over 37 yards either of the last two. Houston attempted to remedy the injury issue by trading for Demaryius Thomas from the Denver Broncos just before the Week 8 trade deadline. Thomas too had injury issues, finishing the season on injured reserve.

Like the free agent safety market, the wide receiver market has some great depth. Golden Tate and Tyrell Williams hold top billings in this years class, but players like Donte Moncrief would be great under-the-radar signings.

Houston could also look towards the 2019 NFL Draft to help fill this particular need. The Texans biggest need is an offensive tackle, they will most likely draft one with their first-round pick. But with three picks in the Top 55, don’t be surprised if Houston grabbed another wideout with their last pick in the second round.

Houston has back-to-back second round selections — No. 54 and No. 55 overall. Prior to the scouting combine, Georiga wideout Riley Ridley was looking like an early second round pick. Ridley didn’t flash at the combine, and his draft stock sank a little bit. His production on the field though is hard to argue with.

During his final season with the Bulldogs, Ridley caught 43 passes for 559 yards and nine touchdowns. At 6-2, Ridley would be a great compliment opposite Hopkins and could be a dangerous red zone threat with his larger framed body.

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