DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller, and Keke Coutee are the top three receivers in order on the Houston Texans’ roster, but who is the No. 4 receiver is an open competition.
When asked about the fifth receiver spot Tuesday after practice, coach Bill O’Brien quickly responded with, “What about the fourth? Who’s the fourth?”
This is the same type of reply O’Brien gave on July 28 when asked to talk about the No. 3 running back spot behind starter Lamar Miller and presumptive backup D’Onta Foreman. Instead, O’Brien said it was “wide open.”
Like the running back jobs, the fourth receiver spot is dependent on special teams play.
“It depends on special teams, it depends on knowledge of assignments, production, being able to get open and catch the ball,” O’Brien said. “So, we’ll see, guys are working hard. Guys like Vyncint Smith, Stevie Mitchell, guys are working very, very hard.”
Smith caught on as an undrafted rookie from Limestone College last season, and produced five catches for 91 yards and a touchdown in seven games, one of which he started.
Mitchell, an undrafted receiver from USC, spent the first seven weeks of last year on the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad before being released and signed by the Texans in Week 9. Houston activated Mitchell in the season finale versus Jacksonville, but he was not targeted.
“It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out,” O’Brien said.
Other receivers in the fray include Jester Weah and undrafted rookie Tyron Johnson.
