Texans should turn to loaded WR draft with DeAndre Hopkins gone

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 25: General view prior to the start of the first round of the NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 25: General view prior to the start of the first round of the NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 28: Chase Claypool #83 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish catches a pass during the Camping World Bowl against the Iowa State Cyclones at Camping World Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. Notre Dame defeated Iowa State 33-9. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 28: Chase Claypool #83 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish catches a pass during the Camping World Bowl against the Iowa State Cyclones at Camping World Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. Notre Dame defeated Iowa State 33-9. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Chase Claypool and Devin Duvernay

These two receivers are almost complete opposites of each other, but both bring skills that could help the Houston Texans.

Chase Claypool out of Notre Dame is another big-framed receiver that would give the Texans the big receiver they currently lack. Claypool spent four seasons at Notre Dame and his senior season proved to be his best yet.

Claypool brought in 13 touchdowns on 66 catches for 1,037 yards. 15.7 yards per catch is a good number, and it lines up with time he recorded in the 40-yard dash at the combine. Claypool ran a 4.42 40-yard dash and recorded a 40.5 inch vertical jump. Incredible test numbers posted for a 6’4, 238-pound receiver.

Claypool would probably not cost the Texans either one of their second-round picks, allowing them to address other needs.

https://twitter.com/TexasFootball/status/1212764730080841729?s=20

Devin Duvernay out of Texas is the smallest receiver on the list at 5’10, 200 pounds, but despite his small size, Duvernay runs like a running back with the ball in his hands.

In his final season in Austin, Duvernay exploded with 106 catches, 1,386 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He also showed some versatility carrying the ball out of the backfield a few times and returning kicks.

While he isn’t the big body that Claypool is, Duvernay can really stretch the field with his 4.39 speed. A receiver he may be similar to is Carolina Panther great Steve Smith. Smith was a smaller receiver but played an aggressive style and went on to have an incredible career.

If Duvernay can play with the same aggression and use his strength to his advantage, he could probably carve out a nice NFL career.

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