Houston Texans Offseason Manifesto: Constructing an offensive juggernaut
By Brian Emory
Houston Texans: Overview of more wide receivers and TE
Even if you are not able to retain Will Fuller, Deshaun Watson will still have some familiar faces set to return next year in Brandin Cooks and Keke Coutee. We also have not really seen much of 2020 fifth round pick Isaiah Coulter yet, so it will be interesting to see if Houston sees a future for him at all. Houston could then round out their wide receiver corps by buying low on players in free agency and perhaps adding someone in the draft.
The Houston Texans enjoy making the tight end an important feature in their passing attack, and one player I would really be intrigued to see in a larger role is Pharaoh Brown.
After being signed off waivers in September, Brown worked his way into the rotation in Houston by the end of the season. Brown enjoyed his best game yet as a pro in Week 17, catching five passes for 48 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Since the Houston Texans are rebuilding, they should continue buying low on players like Brown. While Brown will be a free agent this offseason, the price to retain his services shouldn’t be too high. Bringing Brown back into the fold during 2021 would make a lot of sense for both parties.
In addition to Brown, the Texans have two other tight ends set to return next year in Darren Fells and Jordan Akins. I could foresee one of them returning, but I find it extremely unlikely both come back. Darren Fells is 34 years old, so there it is very improbable that he is a part of the organization’s long term plans. Cutting Fells would save the Texans a little bit more money, so I would be very surprised if he returns next year.
Akins (37, 403, 1) is relatively cheap and still only 28 years of age. You always want to at least have a couple of familiar faces for your quarterback to target, and steady production from Akins should warrant a roster spot again next year.