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Houston Texans: How will they replace Andre Johnson?

By Nick Ziegler

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The Houston Texans will be a very different looking team in 2015 without wide receiver Andre Johnson.

With the imminent departure of Johnson, it will lead the Texans having to replace the face of their franchise and one of the better wide receivers in the NFL in the last decade. Luckily for the Texans they are set up well with money to spend in free agency that they should be able to replace Johnson if they feel that’s their best course of action.

In free agency, there isn’t as much talent available at wide receiver compared to other skill positions like running back, but there are still a few good options available for the Texans to pursue.

Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) during the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

One of the players that they were very interested in was Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver Randall Cobb. The Packers however have locked up Cobb to a new four-year, $40 million deal despite some talk of them not wanting to pay him that much. With Cobb not making it to the free agent market, the next best option for the Texans was Philadelphia Eagles’ wide receiver Jeremy Maclin.

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Last season, Maclin showed the Texans first-hand how talented he was. The one-time first-round pick totaled seven catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns in a Week 9 win at Houston.

After missing the entire 2013 season, Maclin bounced back with a fantastic year in 2014 for the high-powered Eagles offense. In 16 games, Maclin totaled 85 receptions for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns. Maclin would have brought some more big-play capability to the Texans’ offense. While Johnson had a decent season, his play-making ability left a lot to be desired.

In 2014, Maclin and Johnson each totaled catches, but the yards per catch and total receiving yards weren’t even close. Johnson would finish with 936 yards (11.0 yards per reception) compared to the 1,318 yards (15.5 average). Johnson may wind up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day, but for right now, the Texans adding Maclin would have been an upgrade.

The Texans already do have a really good young wide receiver in DeAndre Hopkins, who enters his third NFL season. In 2014, Hopkins had a breakout year with 76 receptions for 1,210 yards with six touchdowns. Like Maclin, Hopkins has the big-play capability, averaging 15.9 yards per catch.

One of the Texans’ big questions this offseason will be surrounds their quarterback situation. Last year it was mostly Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starter. He and Ryan Mallett and Case Keenum help lead the team to a 9-7 record last season, which kept them in the playoff hunt in the AFC. Although Fitzpatrick played well last season, he doesn’t make them a true contender in the AFC. The Texans traded for Mallett but in a small sampling last season, he was not overly imoressive.

Sep 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (18) celebrates his touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey G. Pittenger-USA TODAY Sports

The Texans’ offense will be run-heavy as long as Arian Foster is healthy and on the team. However, having two great wide receivers that can score anytime they touch the ball is intriguing option for any team. Both Cobb and now Jeremy Maclin don’t appear to be options for the Texans anymore.

It is now clear that the Texans will likely not be finding a upper-tier wide receiver to replace Johnson after Cobb stayed with the Packers and Maclin will be joining the Chiefs. Now a lot of pressure will fall on Hopkins to be an elite NFL wide receiver and make the fans forget about Johnson.

Next: Is a QB upgrade needed for the Texans in 2015?

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