Fantasy Football 2019 Team Previews: Houston Texans

Houston Texans

Must Own

DeAndre Hopkins, WR (ADP: 5): Hopkins’ ADP is up to the Top 5, and deservedly so. With Antonio Brown gone from the Steelers’ offensive utopia, there’s no better source of targets, yards and touchdowns. Hopkins is able to post huge numbers with deeply horrible QBs, and when Deshaun Watson is healthy, he’s truly special. Right now Watson is good to go, so count on 100+ receptions and double-digit touchdowns. There might be a RB or two I’d take ahead of him at No. 5, but this ADP is completely justified.

Deshaun Watson, QB (ADP: 53): Watson is the fourth QB off the board and will have every opportunity to finish at the top of the position in 2019. After staying healthy in 2018, Watson completed close to 70% of his passes, tossed 26 touchdowns, kept his picks in check (nine interceptions) and racked up 4,165 yards. As a cherry on top, he rushed 99 times for 551 yards and five scores. Watson is the ideal dual threat QB; he runs enough that he adds big value on the ground, but not so much that an injury is inevitable. He also puts up legitimately ridiculous passing numbers, unlike the Lamar Jacksons and Josh Allens that I like to tout. I’m not drafting any QBs this high, but Watson’s upside is great enough that I don’t hate it.

Lamar Miller, RB (ADP: 74): Miller, the 31st RB off the board, is probably the most boring possible pick one can make in 2019. He’s also one of the safest. Drafting Miller is locking in close to 1,000 yards, around five touchdowns, and moderate contributions in the passing game. He was put on this planet to serve as an okay RB2. If you’re drafting near the back of Round 1, and you find yourself going with Hopkins, Davante Adams or another big-name WR early, Miller may end up being a guy who shores up your RB corps. The breakout’s never coming, but you probably won’t be sorry you drafted him either, especially with the continued lack of competition for work.

Will Fuller, WR (ADP: 78): Fuller is one of the highest-upside receivers in fantasy if he can stay on the field. In his three NFL seasons, he’s yet to make it through one unscathed. When he plays, however, he makes a monstrous impact. He’s averaged more than 15 yards per catch in back-to-back seasons and made a leap last season scoring four times in seven games and catching better than 70% of his targets. Fuller has ridiculous speed that makes him capable of taking the top off any defense, but he’s no longer a one-trick pony. He will probably never be a PPR monster, but he won’t lose a ton of value like other burners tend to in those formats. Fuller’s ADP would be much higher if there weren’t such deep concerns about his health. For gambler-type drafters, this guy could win you a league if you get him the year he stays healthy.

Defense/Special Teams: This D/ST is guaranteed to deliver sacks and turnovers as long as J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney are out there terrorizing people. Still, Houston gave up more points than you’d expect last year because they were fairly vulnerable through the air. They hope they’ve addressed that by signing CB Bradley Roby and safety Tashaun Gipson, a player known for creating takeaways. You won’t confuse this team for the ’85 Bears, but they’ll be consistently among the top D/STs and will save you the headache of frequent waiver decisions.

Fantasy Relevant

Keke Coutee, WR (ADP: 106): Coutee flashed major PPR value last season, particularly when Fuller was out of the picture. He also only managed to play in six games, battling injuries of his own and raising doubt about his durability. To me, he looks like a high-floor PPR specialist I’d love to have in the right format, but would ignore in standard leagues. Hopkins is going to dominate targets, and with Fuller also presenting downfield opportunities, Coutee’s upside isn’t tremendous. He is, however, a Fuller injury away from becoming very interesting.

Handcuff(s)

No one worth rostering.

Deep Sleepers

Kahale Warring, TE (ADP: 374): Warring, a 6’5, 252-lb. beast out of San Diego State is the latest big boy TE experiment. He only put up 372 yards and three touchdowns in his best collegiate season, but this is more about his size and athletic ability. Houston spent a third-round pick on him so they aren’t viewing him as simply a flier. We have seen Texans TEs claim fantasy relevance in the past, and Hopkins is the only big threat in the red zone for Watson, leaving room for Warring to score some TDs.