NFL 2023: Ranking the 5 worst wide receiver groups in the league
No. 2 Worst wide receiver group in the NFL: Houston Texans
AFC South. Houston Texans. 10. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. . 2. player
- Robert Woods
- Nico Collins
- John Metchie III
- Nathaniel “Tank” Dell
- Amari Rodgers
- Noah Brown
The Houston Texans were the talk of the town in Kansas City after their performance at the draft. The Texans selected quarterback CJ Stroud with the 2nd pick overall and then traded back up to take defensive end Will Anderson with the 3rd overall pick.
The issue is the Texans traded away their top receiver, Brandin Cooks, who was very vocal about wanting to leave Houston. Cooks didn’t go far and landed with the Dallas Cowboys. In 2022 the Texans operated on a wide receiver “bye committee” system where four of their receivers hauled in between 481-699 yards. Three of the four receivers are no longer on the team and one of those contributors was tight end Jordan Atkins (now a Cleveland Brown). The only true receiver remaining is Nico Collins who played in only ten games last season and hauled in only 56% of his targets.
The Texans did pick up wide receiver Robert Woods who had a less-than-productive season in Tennessee in 2022. Woods ranked 99th in average yards per completion with 9.9 and 76th in yards with 527 and two touchdowns. Not exactly WR1 stats but based on experience he will be called upon frequently in Houston.
The Texans did draft Nathaniel “Tank” Dell at Stroud’s request but Dell will inevitably deal with growing pains in Houston as a rookie in a mediocre offense. The Texans, like the Falcons, lack depth and the receiving corps depends on Metchie III’s recovery.
The hope is that several of these understated receivers can step it up. Stroud’s presence should elevate everyone’s game but he will be experiencing growing pains himself in his first season in the NFL.