The Houston Texans are looking to take a significant step forward next season. Even though they won a playoff game for the second straight season, the Texans management wasn't happy with the team, especially on the offensive side of the ball. As a result, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik was replaced by Nick Caley.
This may still not be enough for the Texans to reach new heights offensively. Stefon Diggs is a free agent and coming off a season-ending ACL tear even if he is retained. Tank Dell will likely miss the entire 2025 season after his gruesome late-season injury.
Those two circumstances create an immediate need for wide receiver help. One of the players who was speculated as a potential Texans target is Tee Higgins.
However, according to the latest report on Tuesday, Higgins is expected to play under the franchise tag for the second consecutive season. He will be on a non-exclusive tag, meaning that teams could still offer him a contract but the Bengals would have the right to match.
Cincinnati is reportedly expected to give Higgins a long-term deal after franchise tagging him.
Bengals plan to franchise tag Tee Higgins, per @JamesRapien.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) February 17, 2025
Therefore, the Texans need to pivot to a different elite receiver. The first name that comes to mind is Deebo Samuel of the San Francisco 49ers.
The former All-Pro receiver requested a trade after the season, and the 49ers reportedly granted it. If the team can't find him a team, he could also be a post-June 1 cut candidate to save them money.
Regardless of how the Texans could acquire Samuel, they can not miss the opportunity to do so.
After his breakout 2021 season, Samuel hasn't been the same force over the last few years. Yet, he would add a valuable wrinkle to the Texans offense.
The veteran wideout is a serious weapon out of the backfield, rushing for 1,143 yards and 20 touchdowns in his six seasons in San Francisco. He also can run the short and immediate routes, opening up potential big plays for Nico Collins.
That said, no one knows the direction the Texans' front office will go at WR, but targeting Samuel makes a ton of sense this offseason.