Houston Texans Still Need To Address Wide Receiver Early In The Draft

Dec 29, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Kevin White (11) catches a pass while defended by Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Deshazor Everett (29) during the game in the 2014 Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Amari Cooper  (1^st round)  6’1”, 211 – Alabama

Kevin White  (1^st round)  6’3”, 215 – West Virginia

I put these two guys together because they seem to be the only wide receivers that the Texans are truly considering in the first round.  There’s a lot of debate as to which receiver comes off the board first.

Many mock drafts will constantly try to put more wide receivers in the first round than actually go because it’s a more sexy position.  The reality for many general managers is it’s one of the last positions that they concern themselves with because teams far from challenging for the playoffs or coming off losing records, there’s a good chance you have way more pressing needs than wide receiver.  Needs like QB or protecting the QB or getting after the QB.  Additionally, many teams know they can get productive receivers in later rounds.

So it is possible that Cooper or White slip and are there at 16?  If they are, the Texans may draft DeAndre Hopkins running mate for at least the next five years.  Having Cecil Shorts would allow that player to blend into the action a little more slowly than Hopkins had to.

Kevin White is a physical specimen, chiseled and tough.  He was considered a 1^st round pick following his outstanding season at West Virginia but vaulted to the head of the class in some people’s eyes following the combine where he ran a blazing 4.35 40-yard dash along with 23 reps on the bench and a 36-inch vertical.

White can stretch the field, has excellent hands and even has a little Andre Johnson in his build, with the ability to develop into a physical receiver that can body up opponents on a slant or inside route.  If drafted, White slides into Andre’s role with Shorts being the slot receiver.

Here is White catching 13 passes for 216 yards against Maryland.

Nov 29, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) catches a first quarter touchdown past Auburn Tigers defensive back Jonathan Jones (3) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Amari Cooper on the other hand is the more accomplished college receiver that many have felt throughout last season would be the first receiver taken.  Cooper has outstanding hands, is an accomplished route runner and was compared to the great Marvin Harrison at this year’s Senior Bowl.

Cooper, like Cecil Shorts, is able to play inside and outside, and knowing Bill O’Brien’s preference for positional flexibility, it likely makes him the preferred target of the two.  Cooper likewise ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the combine and while not quite the physical player that White can be, he is quicker in tight spaces.

Here is Cooper torching Auburn for 224 yards and 3 touchdowns.

However, due to their high ranking, the Texans may need to trade up to get either but should not pass if one is available at 16.  The Texans have not shown much interest publicly or privately in other first possible rounders like Devante Parker, Jalen Strong or Breshad Perriman.

Click NEXT for the next receiver the Texans should look at.