2022 Team Previews: Houston Texans
Houston Texans Fantasy Preview 2022
All ADP data is courtesy of Fantasy Pros.
** = target in drafts at this ADP
Top 120
Brandin Cooks, WR (ADP: 60): Cooks couldn’t look or play more differently than Mike Evans, but he is almost equally as dependable. Despite bouncing around four teams in eight seasons, Cooks has put up 1,000+ yards six times, with the two outliers being his rookie year, and a year in which he sustained multiple concussions. He had originally gone from Drew Brees, to Tom Brady to Jared Goff (but a Sean McVay offense) to Deshaun Watson, which led to some doubt how he’d do in Houston without a top tier QB. He responded with 90 receptions, 1,037 yards and six TDs. This is who Cooks is, and while he shouldn’t be anyone’s WR1, he’s a safe bet as a WR2 even with Davis Mills at QB because he’s going to soak up a vast amount of this team’s available targets. Cooks is the ideal pick for managers who decide to splurge early on a QB or TE. Cooks is an oasis on this team that is otherwise a fantasy wasteland.
Fantasy Relevant (121-200 ADP
Dameon Pierce, RB (ADP: 114): Pierce is the top RB off the board from this team, and the 40th RB off the board. That’s all you need to know. The opportunity is obvious, but Pierce is a player who topped out at 574 rushing yards at Florida, and has never carried the ball more than 106 times. Yes, Pierce could lead a RB committee, but the Texans may make it a three-RB timeshare, which would probably kill the value for all three. At No. 114 missing on Pierce won’t kill you, but I’m not particularly enamored with his upside.
Marlon Mack, RB (ADP: 152): Mack was once an exciting player, but a torn Achilles completely ruined his momentum, as did Jonathan Taylor becoming arguably the league’s best RB in the wake of Mack’s injury. He’s now more than two years removed from the massive injury, and claiming he’s back to his old self. If that’s true, then he will be a tremendous value at this ADP, especially because this backfield is begging for someone to assume the workhorse role. I don’t know that he’d get a full three-down workload, but if he can assume a sizable chunk of the split, then he’ll be useful for fantasy rosters. Unlike with Pierce, we’ve seen Mack be a legit asset. If I had to grab a Texans RB, he’s the one I’m taking a chance on. Remember, he feels old, but he’s only 26.
Sleeper Class (200 & later)
Davis Mills, QB (ADP: 232): Mills was lowkey impressive last season, throwing for 2,664 yards and 16 touchdowns in 13 games. He assumed the job on the worst team in football, with probably the sorriest set of pass-catchers in the NFL and a backfield full of retread RBs. He wasn’t amazing, but not being comically horrendous was a massive achievement. With improvements in coaching, Mills still isn’t close to an option in one-QB leagues, but he can be a QB2 on a SuperFLEX or two-QB roster without you wanting to vomit.
Nico Collins, WR (ADP: 239): Collins is probably the WR2 on this team, indicating the sorry state of affairs of the Texans. He had 33 receptions last year for 446 yards and one touchdown. He should see a target spike, but who cares? This isn’t a quality offense, Mills isn’t a super desirable QB, and they’re not going to score many points. If you’re not snapping up Cooks, you don’t want a WR from this team.
Brevin Jordan, TE (ADP: 273): I have a slight whiff of interest in keeping an eye on Jordan, even though I wouldn’t draft him. He only started two games, but did score three touchdowns. This team is bereft of receiving options, so Jordan could be a regular target in the red zone, and per PFF his blocking skills should keep him on the field a bunch.