Texans secure veteran receiver for potential new QB
The Texans are not wasting any time adding weapons to their roster.
The Texans are making moves before free agency even begins.
Teams cannot officially sign free agents until March 15th. However, players who have been released are free to sign before that date.
The Texans took advantage of that rule by signing veteran receiver Robert Woods. Woods was traded to the Tennessee Titans before the 2022 season, and would go on to collect 53 catches for 527 yards in Nashville. Woods was released by the team after the conclusion of a disappointing season.
Per Rapoport, Woods is receiving a two-year deal worth $15.25 million with $10 million fully guaranteed. The deal can potentially be worth up to $17 million if all incentives are met.
If the Texans draft their QB of the future, which seems likely, said QB will have a reliable veteran target from the get-go. This move could also signal the end for fellow veteran WR Brandin Cooks.
Cooks has been very public with his unhappiness. After the Texans failed to trade the disgruntled receiver at the 2022 trade deadline, Cooks left the team and was subsequently stripped of his captaincy.
Things have not improved since then. Cooks has made comments about not wanting to be part of a rebuild, and clearly wants to play for a contender.
The addition of Woods could make up for the seemingly inevitable loss of Cooks. Currently, the Texans have John Metchie III, Nico Collins, and Amari Rodgers under contract at the receiver position alongside Woods.
Woods is hoping to rebound from two down years in a row. In 2021, Woods suffered an ACL injury and only suited up for 9 games. In 2022, Woods was stuck on the 30th-ranked passing offense as a member of the Titans, and did not receive many play-making opportunities.
At his very best, Woods has been a reliable number two option. From 2018-2020, Woods had at least 85 catches and 930 yards in every season. That type of production is desperately needed in Houston, especially with a rookie QB.
There is some question as to whether Woods is the same player he once was. The WR will be 31 by the time the season starts, and is just one year removed from a serious injury. However, the Texans still have more cap space than almost any other team, so this is an affordable risk.
