Over the past two offseasons, the Houston Texans have made upgrades to their wide receiver room.
They targeted University of Houston speed threat Tank Dell in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL draft. He eventually broke the Texans’ rookie receiving touchdown record and was on pace to total 1,200 yards before a season-ending leg injury sidelined him for the rest of the year.
Houston swung for the fences this offseason by acquiring four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs from the Buffalo Bills. Diggs, a six-time 1,000-yard receiver, has been arguably the league’s most consistent pass-catcher, totaling an NFL-leading 445 receptions since joining the Bills in 2020.
NFL fans everywhere were also introduced to Nico Collins, who enjoyed a record-setting year in 2023 as the go-to target for C.J. Stroud. Signed to a three-year extension this offseason, Collins hopes to be the next Andre Johnson or DeAndre Hopkins for Houston through 2027 and beyond.
ESPN’s Mike Clay has released his 2024 projections, including ranking every wide receiver room in the NFL. Where do the Texans’ pass-catchers rank among the rest of the league? Here’s a look:
32. New England Patriots
Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (2) runs the ball after a catch against Texas Longhorns defensive back Terrance Brooks (8) during the first quarter in the 2024 Sugar Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) is tackled by Houston Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o (39) and linebacker Christian Harris (48) in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin III, Quez Watkins
28. New Orleans Saints
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 15: Chris Olave #12 of the New Orleans Saints reacts during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Bub Means, Cedrick Wilson, A.T. Perry
27. Denver Broncos
Sep 18, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Houston Texans safety Jonathan Owens (36) tackles Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Tim Patrick, Josh Reynolds, Troy Franklin
26. Arizona Cardinals
(Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)
Marvin Harrison Jr., Zay Jones, Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Zach Pascal
25. Baltimore Ravens
(Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports)
Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Devontez Walker, Deonte Harty
24. Atlanta Falcons
Dec 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) reacts after a two-point conversion against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Allen Robinson
22. Washington Commanders
Dec 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) carries the ball against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown, Jamison Crowder
21. Green Bay Packers
Dec 24, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) against Carolina Panthers cornerback Troy Hill (13) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton
20. Detroit Lions
Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown dyed his hair “Honolulu Blue” for the playoffs.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Antoine Green
19. Cleveland Browns
Nov 27, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) walks off the field after the end of the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, David Bell
18. Las Vegas Raiders
Dec 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) celebrates his touchdown in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Michael Gallup, Tre Tucker, Jalen Guyton
17. Indianapolis Colts
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 05: Michael Pittman #11 of the Indianapolis Colts reacts after making a first down during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 05, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Michael Pittman Jr., Adonai Mitchell, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Anthony Gould
16. Carolina Panthers
Oct 29, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) and quarterback Bryce Young (9) react in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, David Moore
15. Jacksonville Jaguars
Nov 13, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) scores a touchdown against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (38) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Christian Kirk, Brian Thomas Jr., Gabriel Davis, Devin Duvernay, Parker Washington
14. Kansas City Chiefs
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) fights for yardage against Rice Owls cornerback Sean Fresch (1) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Austin, Texas.
Rashee Rice, Marquise Brown, Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Skyy Moore
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Nov 5, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) is tackled by Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart (29) in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Trey Palmer, Jalen McMillan, Deven Thompkins
12. New York Jets
Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (17) warms up before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Malachi Corley, Xavier Gipson, Jason Brownlee
11. Dallas Cowboys
Sep 10, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, Kavontae Turpin, Ryan Flournoy
10. Los Angeles Rams
Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) catches a touchdown pass against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward (7) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell, Tyler Johnson
9. Minnesota Vikings
Jan 7, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) looks up into the crowd after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Brandon Powell, Trent Sherfield, Jalen Nailor
8. Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) is introduced before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.
DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
7. Philadelphia Eagles
Jan 7, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) catches the ball as New York Giants cornerback Nick McCloud (44) pursues during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Parris Campbell, Ainias Smith, Johnny Wilson
6. Chicago Bears
Nov 9, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore (2) argues an offensive pass interference call against the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Tyler Scott, Velus Jones Jr.
5. Miami Dolphins
Nov 13, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) runs with the football during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Odell Beckham Jr., Malik Washington, Braxton Berrios
4. Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) is pulled down by Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) after a catch in the first quarter during an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.The Ravens led 10-9 at halftime.
Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Jermaine Burton, Andrei Iosivas, Trenton Irwin
3. Seattle Seahawks
Jan 12, 2020; Green Bay, WI, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (14) tries to get away from Green Bay Packers strong safety Adrian Amos (31) in the third quarter of a NFC Divisional Round playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
