Enter Kayshon Boutte, exit another wide receiver.
TheHouston Texans have found their Jayden Higgins replacement in Boutte ahead of the regular season. Trading away a 2028 seventh-round pick, along with second-year safety Jaylen Reed, Boutte should take over as the No. 2 option in the passing game to start the year and stabilize a rather weak part of Houston's Super Bowl-caliber roster.
But with Boutte entering the mix, someone has to be shown the door. The Texans have 12 wide receivers fighting for an active roster spot, with at least six getting cut following Friday's preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers. Four spots have been filled, so really, Texans fans could be arguing about just two remaining roster spots for players to fight over.
Who has the edge? Let's break it all down now.
LOCKS
- Nico Collins
- Kayshon Boutte
- Jaylin Noel
- Xavier Hutchinson
The four names listed aren't in jeopardy of losing their roster spot. Hutchinson and Noel should compete for starting reps in the slot, while Boutte takes over as the "Z" option on the outside. The good news for Houston is that both Hutchinson and Boutte can interchange positions, so depending on the play call and formation, offensive coordinator Nick Caley should elect to trot either option out there.
Collins is Houston's best offensive weapon and perhaps its most consistent. Meanwhile, Noel will have to earn his way into a larger role in Year 2, but he's the Texans' best returner so even if he's limited on passing downs, his roster spot is locked up.
Every one of these options could sit in the preseason finale and their status wouldn't change. Expect Noel to see reps, mainly because of his limations in training camp due to injury.
CUTS
- Justin Watson
- Josh Kelly
- Treyvhon Saunders
- Daniel Sobkowicz*
- Zay Jones
So far, none of these players have been consistent enough in games or joint practice to warrant a roster spot. Jones could have been a keep if he started the year in Houston, but keep in mind he's still recovering from a ruptured Achilles injury suffered last October.
Saunders and Sobkowicz could be considered the favorites to stick around on the practice squad if cut, given their age, but even then they could be facing a dilemma if Jared Wayne is cut. That's been Houston's top call-up option over the past three seasons and he's been impressive throughout all of training camp.
Injured Reserve Candidate
- Tank Dell
The Texans want Dell on the field. They envision a world where he'll be an impact in Caley's offense while elevating a weakened passing game following Higgins' injury. In an ideal world, Dell, who hasn't played in nearly two years, would return to 2024 form, become an immediate impact in the short-to-intermediate passing game and a security blanket for C.J. Stroud.
But we also have to live in a realistic world. Dell has been limited in practice all offseason. He's yet to go through a practice where he's run team drills. He still remains in a non-contact jersey and hasn't been cleared for drills that could envision live games. Is it a "for sure thing" that Dell won't start the season on the injured reserve?
Dell could never have played another down but instead has had a miraculous recovery and could be good to go by Week 1. But if he isn't, shouldn't the Texans choose to let him rest, recover a bit more a save a roster spot for someone who could contribute today?
If Dell begins the season on the injured reserve, it doesn't mean he won't return. It's just going to give him a bit more time to get back to 100 percent. Being limited to a handful of plays per game or as a healthy scratch each week does no one on the staff favors.
On the Bubble
- Lewis Bond
- Jared Wayne
- Sterling Shepard
If the Texans elect to place Tank Dell on the injured reserve to begin the season, two of these three will make the active roster. Bond has been the most consistent in camp, but when it comes to the games, he's been a limited assest in the passing game.
That doesn't mean he's been bad when the lights are at their brightest. During Thursdays preseson loss against the Las Vegas Raiders, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans highlighted Bond's blocking skills, saying that the touchdown run only occured because the receiver had the outside egde on the defensive back.
Wayne has been the most consistent player in training camp and games among the receivers, but there is also a ceiling. Does that hurt his chances of making the squad? As for Shepard, he's a veteran who provides depth and had his breakout moments last season in Tampa.
All three could make the roster. Two should be expected.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans WR battle: Who has the edge in making the roster after Kayshon Boutte trade?
