The Houston Texans’ receiving corps may look different in 2023.
Never mind that the Texans may have a new quarterback. The Texans could have a different composition among their receivers if Brandin Cooks finds a way out.
Houston has an extra first-rounder at No. 12 overall thanks to their 2022 offseason trade with the Cleveland Browns. As a result, they could add firepower to their passing game with a rookie wideout. However, if the Texans want to use that first-rounder for a defensive player, then they may need to rethink how they upgrade the passing game.
According to Gordon McGuinness from Pro Football Focus, one overlooked free agent at receiver for 2023 is the Indianapolis Colts’ Parris Campbell, who had a 60.8 PFF grade.
Before the potential wave of releases, this looks to be a very weak free-agent wide receiver class at the top. But for teams in need of a dependable WR3, and perhaps even a WR2 if he can stay healthy, Campbell is an option. He has dropped just six of the 103 catchable passes thrown his way since entering the NFL.
Campbell caught 63 passes for 623 yards and three touchdowns through a career-high 17 games, 16 of which he started.
The tricky part for Houston would be determining if Campbell could remain available enough to be a viable part of the passing game. The Texans would be in a bind if they added Campbell with the expectation to be an integral part of the passing game and his availability issues impacted them. Perhaps the Texans would need to re-sign a proven veteran like Chris Moore if they went with Campbell.
Houston has the fourth-most salary cap space in the NFL with $37.1 million. Even if the Texans find a way to increase their salary cap space, the extra capital provides an opportunity to elevate Houston out of the rebuild in coach DeMeco Ryans’ first season.
