The Houston Texans could have a need at receiver in the 2020 offseason. Former 2018 fourth-round pick Keke Coutee is in coach Bill O’Brien’s doghouse, and speedster Will Fuller is due $10.1 million as part of his fifth-year option.
Houston may either cut bait with Coutee or Fuller. If so, that will leave them with a void at receiver with DeAndre Hopkins and Kenny Stills taking the top two spots.
One receiver from the college ranks the Texans could target is K.J. Hill from Ohio State. According to Austin Gayle from Pro Football Focus, the North Little Rock High School product was one of the more impressive prospects at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
Hill is always open. The 6-foot, 192-pound Ohio State product was easily the most impressive route-runner in Mobile. He created separation with ease and made his competition look foolish in the process. He also hauled in a one-handed catch that dropped jaws on Day 3 that really put an exclamation point on his big week.
If Hill is a disciplined enough route-runner that he can translate that immediately to his rookie season, quarterback Deshaun Watson would be able to connect with him and possibly have a better rapport than he did with Coutee in the latter’s rookie season. Part of what has compromised Coutee’s ability to get on track in the Texans’ passing game is his penchant for chronic injuries. The same can be said of Fuller, despite his impact in the passing game.
Hill caught 201 passes for 2,332 yards and 20 touchdowns for Ohio State. The only injury issue he seemed to have was an ankle injury from 2016.
Walter Football has Hill going in the second or third round. If his stock continues to rise, as it did from his Senior Bowl week, then he could get away from the Texans’ first pick at 57th overall in the second round. If not, the Texans could have a younger, more reliable solution to fill a void at receiver.
