Will Fuller is getting to test free agency and see just what the rest of the NFL thinks of his blazing speed and underrated No. 1 receiver skills.
The former Houston Texans 2016 first-round pick is actually considered an overrated free agent according to Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus.
Speed kills. And even if a receiver with pace doesn’t personally reap the benefit of that threat, the effect he has on the offense around him is obvious. This has been the logic with Fuller during his time in Houston despite five straight seasons of failing to crack either 1,000 receiving yards or double-digit touchdowns.
When DeAndre Hopkins was in town, Fuller was the receiver who seemed to make a notable difference to the offense when he played, but that same impact wasn’t there in 2020, even if he had a career year. Fuller produced an overall PFF grade of 86.2, and Deshaun Watson recorded a passer rating of 132.5 when throwing in his direction.
With the franchise tag likely to be used liberally on the top receivers in the class, a team in need of a proven playmaker could throw big money Fuller’s way. He is a nice complementary piece but might not move the needle by himself the way that contract will expect him to. Fuller will also miss the first game of the 2021 season because of a previous suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
What dragged Fuller down was the six-game suspension, which cost him the final five games of 2020 and undoubtedly nixes his Week 1 participation in 2021. However, he was on pace for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns, the first receiver in Texans history to do so since Hopkins in 2018 when he had 1,572 yards and 11 touchdowns. Fuller proved he was a No. 1 receiver and not just a complementary piece.
However, just because Fuller isn’t a complementary piece doesn’t mean he isn’t a dependent variable. Fuller’s production came as a result of playing with a three-time Pro Bowler under center. If Fuller goes to a team with a franchise quarterback, he will continue to thrive. If he goes to a younger quarterback or a struggling quarterback, Fuller will produce returns in line with an overrated free agent.
