The Houston Texans officially signed Isaiah Coulter to a rookie contract, but where does he fit on the roster in 2020?
The Houston Texans don’t have what is deemed a superstar wide receiver on the roster like they did before they traded DeAndre Hopkins this offseason. What the Texans do have is a solid group of players who bring a solid talent level on the wide receiver roster, but how far will that take the defending AFC South champions?
One player on the Houston Texans wide receiver depth chart is starting from the very last spot to stay on the roster, and that is rookie Isaiah Coulter, a fifth-round pick out of Rhode Island. There is potential that has yet to be seen from the rookie with no offseason camps occurring due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For three seasons playing at Rhode Island, Coulter played in 34 games, where he collected 132 receptions for 1,855 yards and 12 touchdowns, all while averaging 14.1 yards per game. Most of those numbers came in 2019, when he totaled 72 receptions for 1,039 yards with eight touchdowns. That season, Coulter averaged 14.4 yards per reception.
Coulter is 6’2” and weighs in at 198 pounds, and the fact he’s just 21 years old gives the Texans another option at wide receiver, which includes players like Brandin Cooks, Will Fuller, Kenny Stills, DeAndre Carter, Randall Cobb and Keke Coutee, to name most of the depth chart.
In terms of where does Coulter fit within the depth chart, it would be a surprise if the Houston Texans release the rookie, being they used a fifth-round pick on the receiver, as he was also the final pick by the franchise this past April.
Houston Texans News: Isaiah Coulter could play different roles in 2020
One spot where Coulter could play at is special teams because unless he is off the charts during training camp, Coulter will be deep down on the depth chart behind a good number of veterans. Special teams could be the key to staying on the active roster of the Houston Texans as he works at being a receiver at the professional level.
That said, there is a chance one day down the road Coulter could be a starter in the NFL, but improvement will be needed. In a draft profile by The Draft Network it was stated that separation by Coulter would need improvement before he has the success he’s capable of having, as the following was written:
"“He’s got a knack for big receptions vertically and will be an asset as a Z-receiver tasked with running vertical to challenge deep safeties. He’s savvy at the catch point and does well to bump and separate late in the rep — but he’ll likely need time to adjust to NFL corners.”"
If the Houston Texans give Coulter the proper time to learn, as he and all rookies are starting from behind due to no camps for most of the offseason, the rookie wide receiver is capable of working his way up the ladder on the wide receiver depth chart.
Remember, the Houston Texans’ veteran wide receivers have had a few injury issues in their career, so Coulter had better be prepared to play at times this season, because most likely he’ll be on the field more than expected if more injuries occur.
Coulter is in a good spot for a rookie as he can improve his skills and learn from other talented players surrounding him in 2020.
When Coulter does get on the field, he’ll have one of the best quarterbacks in the league Deshaun Watson throwing to him, so be prepared to see the potential of Coulter come to life at some point this season for the Houston Texans.