The Houston Texans most likely will be using one of their two second-round picks on a wide receiver to bolster their depth, and Justin Jefferson could be the answer.
One player who could be on the board when the Houston Texans make their first selection in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft is Justin Jefferson of LSU, as he could become the next franchise starting wide receiver of the Texans.
Houston needs to find a long-term solution at the wide receiver spot after trading Deandre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals this offseason for the 40th overall pick, a fourth-round pick next year and running back David Johnson.
Losing Hopkins is tough, so the Texans need to look forward and find a solid wide receiver in this draft who can make a difference on the field and battle for the top wide receiver spot on the roster as Will Fuller, Randall Cobb and Kenny Stills are the main trio of receivers on the current roster.
Adding a player like Jefferson would add to the depth, plus he could work his way into the lineup with more work to being an outside receiver. He could also showcase his skills in the slot too, sharing time with the veteran Cobb, while learning all along the way.
Also the Texans have DeAndre Carter to fill in whatever role he’ll play in the offense this upcoming season, so Jefferson would make things a lot easier on Deshaun Watson for 2020.
Jefferson is 6-1 and 202 pounds, and he is considered a second-round projection by the Lindy’s College Football Preview magazine. The national champion wide receiver measured at the combine with 33 inch arms, plus he had a 40-yard dash time of 4.43, a vertical jump of 37.5 inches and a broad jump distance of 126 inches.
In the draft profile by Lance Zeirlein of NFL.com compared Jefferson to former Green Bay Packers receiver Greg Jennings. To be honest, that is high praise for any player in this draft, because Jennings wasn’t to be messed with or left with the advantage on any play.
In that draft profile, Jefferson received a prospect grade of 6.43 as that means he believes Jefferson will be a starter within two seasons. The NFL.com draft profile also stated the following:
"“Teams looking for an inside/outside possession receiver with the size and savvy to make chain-moving catches could push Jefferson up the board.”"
While at LSU, with Joe Burrow as his quarterback this past season, he had 11 receptions for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 13.9 yards per reception in the national championship year. His best reception went for 71 yards. Justin Jefferson nearly doubled his yardage from 2018, as that was a season where he caught 54 passes for 875 yards and six touchdowns.
The Texans need a wide receiver who is dependable, as Fuller has been oft-injured during his career with the Texans. Don’t think negative about Fuller, because when healthy, he’s tough to stop, but staying healthy has always been an issue for Fuller, so more depth at wide receiver isn’t such a bad thing.
The question is would the Texans have to trade from the 40th overall pick and move up in the second round — or even in the first round — as their current pick is the eighth selection in the second round?
Even if Jefferson does make it to the second day — which is still questionable — it isn’t a guarantee for him to make it to Texans, so most likely Bill O’Brien would have to move up in the draft to get a wide receiver of Jefferson’s caliber, as that is now a need for Houston since they don’t have Hopkins anymore.
No matter what, don’t be surprised if the Texans draft a wide receiver in the second round, and Justin Jefferson could become a really nice addition to the team if he were selected by the Texans.