Even with Nico Collins emerging as a top-five WR in the NFL at the X position, the Houston Texans enter the 2025 offseason with major questions at wide receiver. Stefon Diggs, who was a crucial addition last year before tearing his ACL, is set to become a free agent after restructuring his contract into what was essentially a one-year deal last offseason. Meanwhile, Tank Dell’s devastating knee injury leaves uncertainty at the Z receiver position.
While the Texans are financially incentivized to re-sign Diggs before February 17th, I’m beginning to believe Diggs will test the market. There has been little reporting suggesting progress toward a deal, and from Diggs’ perspective, it makes sense to gauge his value elsewhere before committing to Houston. Just because the Texans want to lock him in before the deadline doesn’t mean Diggs will be willing to do so.
This leaves two major holes at WR for Houston to address—slot and Z receiver. The Texans must navigate cap constraints, balance positional priorities, and evaluate how much they want to invest in WR talent while also ensuring that C.J. Stroud has the protection he needs to maximize his weapons.
Understanding Wide Receiver Roles in the Texans’ Offense
Each wide receiver position has a distinct role and skill set, and while some WRs may line up in multiple spots, the best offenses use players in roles that maximize their strengths. A good way to compare WR roles is by looking at other position groups that require diverse skill sets within the same unit:
Basketball Comparison – Just as a point guard, shooting guard, and small forward all contribute to an offense in different ways, WRs have unique responsibilities based on alignment, route tree, and physical traits. A primary scorer like a shooting guard operates differently than a facilitator like a point guard, even though both are perimeter players.
Defensive Line Comparison – While nose tackles (NT) and three-technique defensive tackles (3T) both play defensive tackle, their responsibilities and body types vary. A nose tackle is typically bigger and built to stop the run, while a three-tech is usually quicker and more explosive as a pass rusher. While a 3T can occasionally line up at NT (and vice versa), it's generally not the best use of their skill set—just as WRs perform best when put in the right roles.
How This Applies to the Texans’ WR Needs
X Receiver (Collins' Role) – A big, physical WR who primarily wins one-on-one matchups on the outside. They thrive against press coverage and typically line up away from the formation in 3x1 sets. Collins fits the prototypical X WR mold at 6’4”, 220 lbs, and his route tree includes verticals, posts, deep digs, and comebacks. His role requires physicality, as he frequently faces press coverage and contested-catch situations.
Z Receiver (Dell's Role) – A versatile receiver who can line up outside or in the slot, moves around in pre-snap motion, and runs a mix of vertical and intermediate routes. This role requires speed, route-running ability, and some level of physicality to operate across formations.
Slot Receiver (Diggs' Role) – A high-IQ WR who operates primarily inside the numbers, running short-to-intermediate option routes, sitting in zone coverage, identifying blitzes and knowing when to be "hot" and making tough catches over the middle. They are trusted safety valves for quarterbacks and help move the chains.
Because the Texans already have a true X WR in Nico Collins and the typical non-flexible nature of X WRs to play the other two roles, I have not included X WRs in this article, as they wouldn’t be a fit for Houston’s needs. Some notable X receivers I did not include because they would not maximize their skill sets in Houston (it would be a waste of their talent IMO & Texans resources):
Tee Higgins (Bengals)
Savion Williams (TCU)
Jayden Higgins (Iowa State)
Instead, I’ve focused on slot and Z WR options that best complement Collins.
The Stefon Diggs Dilemma: A Key Decision Before February 17th
What Happens on February 17th?
If the Texans re-sign Diggs before February 17th, they can restructure his $16.6 million dead cap charge, spreading it across future years.
If Diggs is not re-signed by this date, the entire $16.6 million in dead cap will hit the 2025 salary cap, limiting their ability to make additional moves.
At that point, Diggs would officially test the free agent market, but Houston could still re-sign him afterward. However, doing so would create a challenging cap situation:
The Texans would still carry the $16.6 million dead cap hit in 2025 with no ability to spread it out.
A new Diggs contract would add additional cap costs this season rather than being structured in a more team-friendly way.
The combined cap impact (dead cap + new contract) would likely exceed $20M in 2025.
While Houston is incentivized to get a deal done before the deadline, Diggs is financially incentivized to test the market. The Texans may still try to re-sign him afterward, but at that point, they may have more sensible options available in free agency or through trade.
One possible scenario to watch is whether the Texans and Diggs agree to extend the February 17th deadline. The two sides could choose to push the decision back until the last day before free agency opens, allowing more time for negotiations while still preserving the option to spread out his $17 million dead cap hit if a new deal is reached. This would give both parties flexibility—allowing Diggs to explore his options without immediately triggering the full cap hit while giving Houston time to assess the market before making a final decision. However, if no extension is agreed upon, the Texans will have to decide by February 17th, or else the full dead cap hit will be locked in for 2025.
How Houston’s Cap Situation Impacts WR Spending
The Texans currently have $4.8 million in cap space (per TexansCap from CapAndTrade.com). With restructures, releases, and the expected NFL cap increase, they could free up to $40 million. However, they must be strategic because:
They have 20+ free agents to replace or re-sign.
They may need to invest in a starting right guard.
They need to reserve cap for draft picks and in-season moves.
Why Right Guard Might Take Precedence Over WR
A quarterback can’t utilize his receivers if he doesn’t have protection. Houston’s offensive line was inconsistent in 2024, and if they prioritize a veteran guard in free agency, they may take a more conservative approach to WR spending.
We’ve seen Josh Allen win MVP in 2024 after Buffalo stripped down its WR room to re-sign two starting offensive linemen and fix their cap situation. Similarly, Tom Brady’s Patriots prioritized offensive line investment over WR spending, trusting their QB to elevate mid-tier WRs.
Slot WR Options: Free Agency & Trade Market
If Diggs doesn't re-sign by the deadline, Houston will need a new starting slot receiver. Some proven veterans fit the role and can also contribute as a Z WR in 12 personnel or two-WR sets.
Top Free-Agent Slot WRs (Height, weight, and slot % numbers via PFF, projected cap via Spotrac)
Player | Height | Weight | Career Slot % | Slot % (2024) | Projected APY ($M) |
Keenan Allen | 6’2” | 211 | 46% | 54% | 11.1M |
Chris Godwin | 6’1” | 208 | 54% | 62% | 22.5M |
Cooper Kupp (Trade?) | 6’2” | 208 | 64% | 65% | ~$10M (Trade-Down Cap) |
Tyler Boyd | 6’2” | 203 | 82% | 84% | 2.2M |
Rondale Moore | 5’7” | 180 | 67% | 68% | 1.5M |
Sterling Shepard | 5'10" | 196 | 61% | 48% | ? |
KaVontae Turpin | 5'9" | 153 | 78% | 78% | ? |
Stefon Diggs | 6'0" | 191 | 30% | 53% | 13.5M |
The ability of a numbner of these slots to play outside Z WR in 12 personnel or two-WR sets in a limited manner like Diggs did in '24 can reduce the immediate burden on a rookie Z WR.
Potential Draft Options at Slot WR
Player | Height | Weight | Career Slot % | Slot % (2024) | Projected Round |
Emeka Egbuka | 6’1” | 205 | 75% | 81% | Day 1 |
Luther Burden III | 5’11” | 205 | 61% | 85% | Day 1 |
Xavier Restrepo | 5’10” | 198 | 92% | 90% | Day 2 |
Jaylin Noel | 5’10” | 200 | 75% | 72% | Day 2 |
Jack Bech | 6’2” | 215 | 54% | 27% | Day 2 |
Tez Johnson | 5'10" | 165 | 88.00% | 79.00% | Day 2 |
Typically Bech wouldn't be viewed as a slot by me, but the high career slot % & Caley's penchant for using bigger slots for the run game change my view.
Z WR Options in Free Agency & Draft
If the Texans expect Tank Dell to miss most or all of 2025, they must add a Z WR. Even if Dell returns later in the season, a veteran or rookie Z WR will be needed early on.
Top Free-Agent Z WRs (Height, weight, and slot % numbers via PFF, projected cap via Spotrac)
Player | Height | Weight | Career Slot % | Slot % (2024) | Projected APY ($M) |
Darius Slayton | 6’1” | 194 | 21% | 21% | 15.8M |
Demarcus Robinson | 6’1” | 203 | 20% | 38% | 3M |
Dyami Brown | 6’0” | 195 | 27% | 23% | 1.9M |
Deebo Samuel | 6’0” | 215 | 30% | 32% | 20M+ (Potential Trade/Cut) |
Deebo Samuel is primarily a Z WR but has the potential versatility to play more slot in the Texans’ offense if needed.
Potential Draft Options at Z WR
Player | Height | Weight | Career Slot % | Slot % (2024) | Projected Round |
Matthew Golden | 6’0” | 195 | 20% | 24% | Day 1 |
Jack Bech | 6’2” | 215 | 54% | 27% | Day 2 |
Isaiah Bond | 5’11” | 180 | 43% | 24% | Day 2 |
Elic Ayomanor | 6’2” | 210 | 14% | 13% | Day 2 |
Kyle Williams | 6’0” | 187 | 17% | 25% | Day 2 |
Ricky White | 190 | 28.00% | 36.00% | 190 | Day 3 |
Many of these WRs have the flexibility to play slot down the road if Tank Dell were to return & veteran slot leaves. This would allow time for them to develop.
Potential WR Targets with McVay System Connections
With Nick Caley’s background in the McVay system, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Texans pursue wide receivers with ties to similar offensive schemes. Players who have experience in McVay-style offenses could offer a seamless transition into Houston’s system, help teach teammates, and provide valuable depth or rotational roles.
Here are some names to watch:
Demarcus Robinson
Cooper Kupp (trade possibility?)
Brandin Cooks
TuTu Atwell
Van Jefferson
Robert Woods
Ben Skowronek
KJ Osborn (Vikings – Kevin O’Connell connection)
Allen Robinson
Rondale Moore (ATL - Zac Robinson)
Khadarel Hodge (ATL - Zac Robinson & LAR)
While most of these players aren’t high-profile signings, they fit Caley’s offense and could be on Houston’s radar as cost-effective additions or depth pieces.
Final Thoughts: The Best Approach for the Texans' WR Room
The Texans have multiple ways to fill their WR2 and WR3 spots, but some options come with more risk than others. Given the need for immediate production, I believe the Texans must be strategic in how they allocate resources to avoid relying too heavily on rookies or overspending in free agency.
Why Drafting Both WR2 & WR3 Isn't Ideal
I wouldn’t be a fan of drafting both WR2 and WR3 because expecting two rookie WRs to make an immediate impact is risky—especially in an offense that demands high-level reliability from the slot position. Slot WR is a role that typically requires experience reading defenses, identifying blitzes, and executing option routes, making rookies less of a sure thing compared to outside WRs.
The only rookie slot WR who I believe could be an immediate plug-and-play option in Nick Caley’s offense is Emeka Egbuka. However, this means the Texans would have to stay in the first round and draft him, risking another team selecting him first. Luther Burden III is an exceptional talent, but I’m not sure he would seamlessly transition into Caley’s slot role as quickly as Egbuka. Xavier Restrepo on Day 2 is intriguing, but he would be more of a gamble in terms of immediate production, and this offense needs an instant-impact slot WR.
Why Signing Two Veteran WRs Isn’t Ideal Either
On the other hand, given our cap situation and other roster needs, I also wouldn’t prefer signing two veteran free-agent WRs. Allocating too much cap space to WR would limit flexibility to address other crucial areas—especially along the offensive line and defense.
The veteran Z WR market isn’t as robust as the slot WR market, but there are a few names that stand out:
Deebo Samuel (if available) – Versatile, physical, and a dynamic playmaker.
Darius Slayton – A legitimate deep threat with speed.
Demarcus Robinson – A potential value signing who already has experience in a McVay-style offense.
While I wouldn’t hate the idea of signing a veteran Z WR and drafting a slot WR, the slot WR market is much stronger, making a different approach more appealing.
The Best Approach: Add Cooper Kupp & Draft a Z WR on Day 2
1. Trade for or Sign a Veteran Slot WR (Preferably Cooper Kupp, Stefon Diggs, or Keenan Allen)
If Cooper Kupp is cut or his trade value is low, he could be acquired for around $10 million in cap space.
Kupp fits perfectly in Nick Caley’s system, brings veteran leadership, and gives C.J. Stroud a proven, reliable slot WR.
The Texans made it a priority to add a veteran slot WR last year (first attempting to trade for Keenan Allen, then acquiring Diggs).
Slot WR is a harder position for rookies to step into with immediate production compared to outside WRs, making a veteran the better move for 2025.
2. Draft a Z WR on Day 2 (Preferably Kyle Williams, Isaiah Bond, or Jack Bech)
With Kupp (or Diggs & Allen) able to play outside in 12 personnel, a rookie Z WR wouldn’t need to be a full-time player immediately.
DeMeco Ryans and Nick Caserio showed willingness to trade back when having a late first-round pick last year, prioritizing the mid-to-late second round—a sweet spot for WR value.
This approach aligns with Nick Caley’s admiration for tight ends & 12 and 13 personnel, meaning the rookie Z WR would be eased into the system.
The Texans have had success drafting Day 2 wide receivers—both Nico Collins and Tank Dell were third-round picks.
This approach allows the Texans to prioritize IOL or IDL in the early rounds of the draft before addressing WR.
Addressing Cooper Kupp’s Injury Concerns
Some may raise concerns about Cooper Kupp’s injury history, but I believe it will already be factored into his relatively affordable APY cap hit. Aside from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for four games in 2023, the majority of his injuries—an ankle sprain and an ACL tear—are structural issues rather than recurring soft-tissue problems. In a physical sport like football, these types of injuries aren’t necessarily a reflection of long-term durability.
Given his high football IQ, elite route-running, and seamless fit in Nick Caley’s system, Kupp presents a low-risk, high-reward option if acquired at the right price. These same injury concerns could be raised for all of the veteran slot WR options, but they don’t bother me as much given their track records of production.
Additionally, while some may worry about veteran slot WRs losing a step, I believe that concern is less relevant in the slot. Slot WR play is less about pure speed and more about football IQ, reading defenses, understanding leverage, and executing precise route-running—all areas where these guys still excel.
Why This is the Smartest Plan for Houston
This approach maximizes veteran leadership, scheme familiarity, and immediate impact, while also developing a young Z WR to take over long-term—someone who may even have the flexibility to transition to the slot full-time later in his career.
It allows the Texans to be smart with their cap space, avoid over-reliance on rookies, and create the best possible receiving group for C.J. Stroud in 2025 and beyond.
See my charts below for nearly all WR options in free agency & the draft:
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