2019 NFL Draft Preview: Houston Texans Wide Receiver Situation

Taking an in-depth look at the Houston Texans wide receiver situation entering the 2019 NFL Draft.

The Houston Texans are entering the 2019 NFL Draft with uncertainty at the wide receiver position. Texans have an undisputed number one wide receiver in DeAndre Hopkins, but there is a lot of question marks surrounding the rest of the current wide receiver group.

Talent hasn’t been an issue with Will Fuller and Keke Coutee, but injuries have kept them from making an impact and off the field. Fuller has missed a total 17 games since being drafted 21st overall in 2015. On the other hand, Coutee proved to be an impressive addition playing in the slot with the short amount of games he was healthy.

He missed ten games his rookie season due to nagging hamstring injuries, but he was productive finishing the season with 28 receptions, 287 receiving yards, a touchdown reception, and averaging 10.3 yards a reception.

Texans had a viable backup in the slot with DeAndre Carter capable of running some of the similar concepts the Texans ran with Coutee. However, Texans need to draft a boundary receiver capable of giving Hopkins and Fuller a breather and serve as insurance in case of injury.

Texans acquired Demaryius Thomas in the previous trade deadline to alleviate some of the pressure, but his Achilles injury against the Philadelphia Eagles in the regular season ended his stint with the team. The offense lost its ability to keep opposing defenses honest when they lost Fuller and Thomas to season-ending injuries.

Texans currently have Hopkins, Fuller, Coutee, Carter, Vyncint Smith, Steven Mitchell, Isaac Whitney, and Jester Weah under contract for 2019.