Houston Texans: 3 questions that need to be answered during the bye week

How much will Demaryius Thomas add to the offense?

The loss of Fuller hurts the Houston Texans in that he was is one of the fastest receivers in the league and the perfect compliment to DeAndre Hopkins. Fortunately, the Texans have other capable receivers to step up but a lot of them are pretty young and inexperienced. The major concern when you have a quarterback expected to be one of the most elite in the game today is that youthful receivers might not always be the solution to helping him grow as a player.

Keke Coutee expects to be the wide receiver of the future for the Texans pending any other injuries. But he has yet to develop into the role. Even more frustrating is that he’s dealing with a hamstring issue. The issue with Hopkins is that he’s going to be the target for both the quarterback and the opponents. The team desperately need someone to step up and be another weapon for Watson.

So that’s why Brian Gaine went out and made a big trade. I think many Texans fans were expecting Golden Tate or DeSean Jackson to be added to the squad. But instead, they picked up Demaryius Thomas. Thomas was the former number one receiver for the Broncos, which included stints with Peyton Manning. But while Thomas is among the best receivers in the game, he is thirty-years young, which typically is the age receivers don’t always live up to the prime.

So why bring him in? The reason is simple, Thomas was brought in was not only to provide an extra arsenal for the offense. But also to help push Hopkins. When you think about Hopkins, he is arguably the best receiver in the game. But in a way, he’s also underrated. Mainly, it’s due to the fact he’s had to play with multiple quarterbacks over his career.

Now that Watson is the guy, Hopkins has been the top guy. But with defenders covering him, Watson needs to find another receiver to get open. Thomas brings experience having been the guy at Denver. If you have another perennial threat at receiver, then defensive backs will be trying to determine who gets the ball and hope they’re right.

Thomas is not expected to be the number one wide receiver for the Texans. But he does bring that capability of making the Texans’ offense even better than they are now. So now, there is going to be some wondering if Thomas can fulfill the role voided by Fuller’s absence in more ways than one.

Against his former team, Thomas caught three passes for 61 yards, including a big first down reception back in the first quarter. We can say because he’s new to the system, he didn’t need to do anything other than getting open for Watson. By the time next week rolls around, will he know enough to produce?

In addition to being the new receiver, Thomas has also been in the public eye for criticisms against the Broncos’ management. It’s not easy to be traded from a team you gave your heart and soul to for the longest time possible. But being critical of the team’s management can be a distraction if handled poorly and the last thing the Texans need is a receiver who speaks distraction than plays clutch receiver.

The Houston Texans are officially in a win it all mode with the trade for Thomas. But even with his presence in the locker room, there is another x-factor on the team that will be looked upon more. We know who it is? Let’s see what lies ahead for him.