The Houston Texans could go receiver with the third overall pick, so check out Garrett Wilson.
How much more productive would the Houston Texans offense would be with another big-time wide receiver, and the best wide receiver in the 2022 NFL Draft just might be Garrett Wilson of Ohio State.
The Texans have a No. 1 receiver already as Brandin Cooks had another 1,000-plus yard receiving season with Davis Mills and Tyrod Taylor as his quarterbacks, and on an offense that had more than its share of troubles running the football.
Even though Cooks had his 1,000-yard season, and with Nico Collins showing progression, the Texans need more from their offense and more options at wide receiver, so why not finally select one of the best on the board?
Wilson’s stats this past season with the Ohio State Buckeyes stand out as he totaled 70 receptions for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns. In three seasons at Ohio State, Wilson finished with 143 receptions for 2,213 yards and 23 touchdowns, averaging 15.5 yards per receptions for his collegiate career.
In ’21, he had five games of 100-plus yards receiving, as those games came against opponents such as Oregon (117 yards), Akron (124 yards), Purdue (126 yards), Michigan State (126 yards) and Michigan (119 yards). In those games, he totaled seven touchdowns, with three against Purdue.
Texans draft: How good can Garrett Wilson be in the NFL?
The Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings wrote this about Wilson in a draft profile before the season, and it still rings true today:
"“Before the catch, Wilson can create separation with his explosiveness, suddenness, fast feet, hip sink, and technical use of deception. At the catch point, he can create opportunities with his natural, effortless body control, ball tracking ability, and strong hands.”"
The Houston Texans could use a spark at wide receiver, and look at every team left in the NFL Playoffs — they have more than one very dependable wide receiver or tight end. The Bengals have Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Chiefs have Travis Kelce, the Rams have Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr., and the 49ers have Deebo Samuel and George Kittle.
When reading the above scouting report and watching highlights of Wilson, what is exciting is the word “explosiveness” and how he can create opportunities. Having someone like that opposite of Cooks makes the veteran more valuable but having Cooks with Wilson would only make the rookie wide receiver better, too.
If Wilson can be explosive and play like he did at Ohio State, eventually he’d get the top coverage choice by the opponent, leaving Cooks with the second-best coverage, helping Cooks get more targets, and allowing for more big-play chances like he’s achieved throughout his NFL career.
The Texans don’t have the two solid wide receivers or receiver and tight end duo like the teams left in the playoffs. Using the third overall pick on Wilson could surprise some, but in the long scheme of this rebuild, it could be the move that really sets things in motion and makes the offense really dangerous for ’22 and for years to come.