Houston Texans: 3 players with most to gain from the Randall Cobb trade

Prior to being sent to Green Bay, Randall Cobb’s spot as the Houston Texans slot wide receiver was at least written in ink, if not stone. With Cobb gone, there will be a few players looking to fill that role.

Nick Caserio’s mantra since taking over as general manager of the Houston Texans has been “competition.” While it sounds very football speak or like a nice thing to say, when it comes to who will get snaps at receiver to start the season it is definitely an open competition.

Sure, Brandin Cooks is WR1. Cooks has been consistent over his career and produced a 1,000 yards in five of seven seasons in his career. Expect to see him lined up outside regardless of what happens with the rest of the offense.

There’s a lot of unknown outside of Cooks, but it would be shocking if Nico Collins isn’t lining up outside opposite Cooks. Collins was one of the team’s third round picks in the draft, and they paid quite a price to grab him. The Texans brass thought Collins was worth a 2021 fourth, fifth and 2022 fourth round pick. The Michigan product will have to prove his worth to stay on the field, but it seems to be his spot to lose.

Where the competition really starts is for the chance to replace Cobb as slot receiver. There are a few players with a legitimate chance to take over Cobb’s snaps. The competition is likely something will work out in the Houston Texans favor.

Each of the players will be performing at their best at all times to try to earn the job, so let’s take a look at this group, starting with a new member of the roster.

Anthony Miller

A new home with the Houston Texans is a new chance for Anthony Miller to offer his big play ability and huge potential he showed at Memphis.

Miller was acquired prior to trading Randall Cobb, but the Houston Texans likely don’t make that move without planning to send Cobb to Green Bay. If the Texans are smart they should be all in on Miller replacing Cobb and getting the nod in the slot to start the 2021 NFL season.

Miller had an up-and-down start to his career with the Chicago Bears as the team was trying to figure out what to do at the quarterback position. Unfortunately for Miller, his new home has just as many questions about the long-term answer at quarterback.

He was the primary weapon in the passing game his last few college seasons at Memphis and put up ridiculous numbers. Miller’s quickness and explosiveness are probably the best part of his game, but he also showed the ability to stretch the field.

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In both his short time in the league and his time in college Miller has displayed big play ability whether it was taking a short pass a long way or beating the defense down the field. Now it is time to see what he can accomplish with the Houston Texans.

Keke Coutee

Keke Coutee has been waiting for the chance to break out with the Houston Texans for a number of years now. He likely won’t get a better opportunity than in 2021.

Coutee has spent a three seasons with the Houston Texans after being drafted in the fourth round in 2018. He seemed to always find himself on the bad side of previous head coach Bill O’Brien, and didn’t get consistent opportunities to show his ability.

The former Texas Tech standout has only been active for 23 regular season games and one playoff game in his short career. Coutee has had some struggles with consistency and in ’20 struggled to hold on to the ball. Coutee fumbled the ball four times in ’20, including a stretch of three straight games where he coughed up the ball up.

However, there is something about playing the division rival Indianapolis Colts that brings out the best in Coutee. He has only reached 100 yards in a game three times, all coming against the Colts, including the 2018 playoffs which was his rookie season.

If Coutee can find a way to get on the field consistently, and harness whatever it is that the Colts bring out of him, he’ll have a chance to earn snaps as the slot receiver. The issue isn’t if he can produce, but if he can do it each and every game.

Alex Erickson

Alex Erickson

Alex Erickson  comes over to the Houston Texans after being a consistent role player his first few seasons in the NFL.

Another newcomer to the Texans, Erickson is an interesting player that can do a few things for the team. In his time with the Cincinnati Bengals, Erickson returned punts and kicks, as well as playing wide receiver.

Erickson’s best season was in 2019 when he caught 43 passes for 529 yards. Half of his production that season came after the catch. So he not only shows an ability to get open, but can make something after. He has only been into the end zone once in his NFL career however, so hopefully that changes in 2021 with the Houston Texans.

In his short time with the team, the Wisconsin Badger has gained the respect and attention of local media with his effort in training camp, including the following tweet by @BigSargeSportz:

After Anthony Miller, Erickson has the best shot at replacing Randall Cobb this season. Ultimately, the former Bengal finds a role with the Texans as a depth receiver, and a chance to return kicks which is a need for the team this season.

The Houston Texans also added return specialist Andre Roberts this offseason, and though it seems returning punts and kickoffs is his job, Erickson’s ability and experience as a returner along with his efforts as a receiver give the Texans flexibility to use a roster spot on him.

Competition will be nice to see this training camp and preseason from here on out as the Houston Texans have some important decisions to make moving forward.