The debate that will forge on Houston Texans count down the days until training camp begins is which of the top targets will be C.J. Stroud’s No. 1 receiver this fall.
Yes, it’s worth discussing, principally after Houston traded away a future second-round pick to acquire four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs from Buffalo earlier this spring.
No, it’s worth betting the house on and watching one’s savings dwindle each Sunday because Stroud looks another way. In the eyes of the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, the Texans’ offense won’t feature a singular feature piece.
“It’s football,” Stroud said earlier this offseason. “You’re open, you get the ball. My thinking is you’ve got to pick your poison playing us. Who are you going to double? Who are you going to cater to? You’ve got five dogs who are able to get the ball in each given play.”
Nico Collins is coming off a breakout season that earned him a new three-year extension. Third-round sensation Tank Dell broke the franchise’s rookie receiving touchdown record and likely would have smashed the yardage total if he hadn’t broken his leg in early December.
And Diggs remains a constant for any offense. He’s looking for his seventh consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season amid a new contract. Since 2020, he’s also led the league with 445 receptions.
All three could be among the NFL’s top weapons by the season’s end, but which pass-catchers at the best of the bunch entering the year? Texans Wire has decided to lay down the team bias to build a fair, balanced and objective list of the current top 32 playmakers.
This was harder to come up with than fans will admit. Honestly, there are about 20 receivers that all could fall in the conversation of No. 28-No. 32 and few would bat an eye. So before we dive into the actual list, here are some honorable mentions that deserve more praise.
Honorable Mentions
Oct 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (3) runs with the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) attempts to make a tackle during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
- Seattle Seahawks Tyler Lockett
- Jacksonville Jaguars Christian Kirk
- Houston Texans Tank Dell
- Arizona Cardinals Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Chicago Bears Rome Odunze
- Denver Broncos Courtland Sutton
- Baltimore Ravens Zay Flowers
- Kansas City Chiefs Rashee Rice
- Carolina Panthers Adam Thielen
- Dallas Cowboys Brandin Cooks
- Jacksonville Jaguars Gabe Davis
- New York Giants Malik Nabers
32. Calvin Ridley – Tennessee Titans
Jan 7, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley (0) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
31. Jordan Addison – Minnesota Vikings
(Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports)
30. Diontae Johnson – Carolina Panthers
Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) runs the ball in the second half against the Buffalo Bills in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
29. Drake London – Atlanta Falcons
Dec 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) reacts after a two-point conversion against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
28. Michael Pittman Jr, Indianapolis Colts
Oct 16, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) pushes off of Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Shaquill Griffin (26) as he runs with the ball during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Scheer-USA TODAY Sports
27. Chris Godwin – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dec 31, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) catches a pass for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
26. George Pickens – Pittsburgh Steelers
Oct 29, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) celebrates a third quarter touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
25. DK Metcalf – Seattle Sehawks
Seahawks’ D.K. Metcalf (14) carries the ball against the Eagles Monday, Nov. 30, 2020 in Philadelphia.
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24. DeAndre Hopkins – Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) is introduced before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.
23. Tee Higgins – Cincinnati Bengals
Dec 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) at the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
22. Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears
Oct 16, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) carries the ball against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
21. Chris Olave – New Orleans Saints
Dec 3, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) catches a pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
20. DeVonta Smith – Philadelphia Eagles
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 12: DeVonta Smith #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
19. Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns
Nov 27, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during overtime at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
18. Deebo Samuel – San Francisco 49ers
Dec 23, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) runs for a first down after a reception during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
17. Nico Collins – Houston Texans
(Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports)
16. Terry McLaurin – Washington Commanders
Dec 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) carries the ball against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
15. Cooper Kupp – Los Angeles Rams
Dec 21, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) leaves the field after the game against the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
14. Puka Nacua – Los Angeles Rams
(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
13. Jaylen Waddle – Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17), runs by Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (20), for a first down doing fourth quarter action of their NFL action Sunday November 13, 2022 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Photos Cleveland Browns V Miami Dolphins 19
BILL INGRAM / THE PALM BEACH PSOT-USA TODAY NETWORK
12. Mike Evans – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Oct 15, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) is tackled by Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
11. D.J. Moore- Chicago Bears
Nov 9, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore (2) argues an offensive pass interference call against the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
10. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (17) warms up before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
9. Stefon Diggs – Houston Texans
Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
8. Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
(Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
7. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown dyed his hair “Honolulu Blue” for the playoffs.
6. Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
Dec 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) celebrates his touchdown in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
5. CeeDee Lamb – Dallas Cowboys
Sep 10, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
4. A.J. Brown – Philadelphia Eagles
Jan 7, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) catches the ball as New York Giants cornerback Nick McCloud (44) pursues during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
3. Ja’Marr Chase – Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) is pulled down by Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) after a catch in the first quarter during an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.The Ravens led 10-9 at halftime.
Baltimore Ravens At Cincinnati Bengals Afc Wild Card Jan 15 148
Sam Greene/The Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK
2. Tyreek Hill – Miami Dolphins
Nov 13, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) runs with the football during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
1. Justin Jefferson – Minnesota Vikings
Jan 7, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) looks up into the crowd after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
