The Houston Texans did not make a huge splash at the start of the offseason to address the wide receiver position despite Davante Adams being a free agent and Cooper Kupp being on the trade market.
Instead, the Texans acquired veteran receiver Christian Kirk in a trade from their AFC South rival, the Jacksonville Jaguars. Then, Houston signed veteran wideouts Braxton Berrios and Justin Watson.
While Kirk’s roster spot is likely secured, Watson and Berrios will likely compete with Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie III for the final spots, especially after Houston used two draft picks on rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
OTAs will be the first opportunity for Watson and the rest of the receivers to make their push for the 53-man roster. However, the veteran wide receiver has already caught the attention of head coach DeMeco Ryans.
On Monday night at the State of the Houston Texans event, Ryans was asked which player has impressed him the most in the offseason, and he named Watson (h/t to Twitter user @n0mad_sc0tt)
The veteran wide receiver has a good chance of making the roster as the Texans signed him to a two-year, $5 million contract. Watson provides Houston with solid depth in the receiver room and gives them someone who can play special teams in a pinch.
Last season with the Kansas City Chiefs, the 29-year-old receiver played a career-high 60% of offensive snaps. In turn, Watson produced 22 receptions (32 targets) for 289 yards and two touchdowns.
Granted, he played with the Chiefs, but if you compare Watson’s 2024 stats to Metchie's, they are almost similar – 24 receptions (37 targets) for 254 yards and a touchdown.
Watson played well in his three years with the Chiefs, totaling 64 receptions (119 targets) for 1,064 yards and seven touchdowns in 50 games. With Robert Woods in Pittsburgh, Watson is the perfect veteran replacement for the WR5 spot this upcoming season.