Houston’s complicated wide receiver rotation will become even more complex after adding the former Arizona Cardinals receiver.
Houston has spent the last two years with Nico Collins as one of its outside receivers, two players rotating at the other outside slot and two options mixing in the slot. This year, Kayshon Boutte and Xavier Hutchinson have rotated on the outside, while Jaylin Noel and Hutchinson have both taken snaps in the slot. Noel seemed to finally break out of that package last week, playing 86. 5% of 11 personnel snaps, but this week, he was back down to 76. 9%. With how much the Texans run 12 and 13 personnel ,his overall snap rate was down to 45. 5%. Now, the Cardinals add Harrison, who reunites with his college quarterback C. J. Stroud. They sent a second-round pick, which means Harrison will probably be second on the depth chart. Noel has played well enough in the slot that he will still have a rotational role there. However, we could see Hutchinson rotating in the slot with Noel, while Boutte mixes in at times with Harrison. Unless Harrison improves significantly, we should expect a rotation all season. Jayden Higgins was clearly outplaying Hutchinson last season, but failed to earn a full-time role. The addition of Harrison also clouds the long-term value of Higgins. Tank Dell returned to practice from injured reserve on Wednesday. He practiced on a limited basis and wasn’t activated. It’s unclear if there will still be a role in the offense for him once he’s able to play. Going forward, Collins can be started as usual, and Harrison should be held on to in case this is the spark he needs to break out. But I wouldn’t count on it, or make it a priority to trade for him in fantasy leagues.