Houston Texans

C.J. Stroud→ his ranking

Stroud's rookie season showed plenty of promise. He topped 300 passing yards in six of his 15 starts, headlined by a dominant Week 9 performance against Tampa Bay (470 yards and five touchdowns), and finished 11th in quarterback scoring with 326.20 fantasy points despite missing two games. He also contributed more than expected on the ground with 39 carries for 167 yards and three scores. His caveats were real, but he threw two or fewer touchdowns in 14 of his other starts, and his home/road splits were stark (25.91 vs. 16.95 fantasy points per game).

Offensive skill-player injuries derailed Stroud’s 2024 ceiling. Houston's top three receivers missed a combined 17 games, and Joe Mixon sat out three starts, leaving Stroud without the weapons needed to sustain an impactful passing game. He put up back-to-back 300-yard efforts in Weeks 4 and 5 before fading considerably, averaging just 15.56 fantasy points per game over his final 13 starts in four-point touchdown leagues. During that stretch, he threw 11 touchdowns against nine interceptions while averaging only 206 passing yards and 29.6 attempts per game.

Houston made moves to bolster Stroud's supporting cast heading into last season, drafting Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel and signing Christian Kirk. Despite the additions, 2025 was another frustrating year. Stroud missed three games with a concussion and never found a consistent rhythm over his 16 starts (including the postseason). Houston threw for 3,956 yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in the regular season while adding 48 carries for 209 yards and a score on the ground.

His box scores rarely reflected a quarterback worth starting. He topped 300 passing yards just once (318 yards, two touchdowns, and seven rushes for 30 yards) and was genuinely fantasy-viable in only two other matchups, a four-touchdown, 244-yard effort and a 260-combined-yard, three-touchdown performance. In 14 of his starts, he failed to reach 20.00 fantasy points, making him one of the more disappointing assets at the position for the season.

I view him as a league-average player, putting him on a path to pass for 4,000 yards with about 25 touchdowns. The growth of his young wideouts is the key to Stroud becoming more fantasy relevant.

David Montgomery→ his ranking

The move to Detroit in 2023 immediately elevated Montgomery’s fantasy profile. He came out of the gate on fire over the first four games (371 rushing yards, six touchdowns, and five catches for 47 yards – 20.70 fantasy points per game) before injuries began to chip away at his season. He missed Weeks 3, 7, and 8 and left Week 6 early with a rib issue. Despite the absences, he finished the year with 15 touchdowns across 17 games and ranked 17th among running backs in PPR scoring with 208.60 fantasy points, a body of work that deserved a top-12 finish.

Over his final 12 games, including the postseason, Montgomery totaled 909 combined yards, nine touchdowns, and 16 catches on 180 touches (15.0 per game), topping 100 combined yards twice. His only truly dominant performance came in Week 4 (32 carries, 121 yards, three touchdowns, and two catches for 20 yards). He had two catches or fewer in 15 of his 17 appearances.

In 2024, a similar arc of a strong start gave way to late-year injury concerns. Montgomery earned RB1 snaps in four of his 15 games and was at his best over the opening five weeks (75 carries, 351 yards, six touchdowns, and 10 catches for 94 yards). He averaged 13.71 fantasy points over his final 10 games before a knee injury knocked him out of action for the Lions’ final three games. Despite his missed time, Montgomery finished 18th in running back scoring (222.75), leading to three 20.00 fantasy point games (21.20, 21.00, and 24.50).

For the first time in his career, Montgomery played in 17 games in 2025. Unfortunately, his results (158/716/8 with 24 catches for 192 yards) led to a slide to RB27 in fantasy points (167.95), with one impact game (164 combined yards with two touchdowns and one catch).

Woody Marks→ his ranking

Houston selected Marks in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft after a five-year college career split between Mississippi State and USC. At Mississippi State, he worked as a rotation back over four seasons, compiling 1,883 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 410 carries. His rushing numbers didn't turn heads, but his receiving work was notable. He hauled in 214 of 267 targets for 1,225 yards and five touchdowns, though he averaged just 5.7 yards per catch.

His transfer to USC for his final season produced a career-best rushing performance (198 carries for 1,133 yards and nine touchdowns), while he remained active as a receiver with 47 catches for 321 yards.

As a prospect, Marks profiles as a chain-mover rather than a big-play threat. He won't consistently hurt defenses over the long field, but he has deceptive short-area quickness and a natural feel for cutback lanes. He keeps his eyes up and shows patience, waiting for running windows to develop before shifting gears. His receiving background is a plus, but his pass-catching projection appears to be trending down as he enters the NFL.

In his rookie season, Marks led Houston with 196 carries despite gaining 3.6 yards per carry (two rushes of 20 yards or more). His skill set showed more life in the passing game, even with a limited opportunity (24/208/3 on 36 targets – 8.7 yards per catch). The Texans gave him 16.4 touches per game over his final 13 starts, but Mark averaged only 9.74 FPPG. He scored fewer than 10.00 fantasy points in 11 of his 18 starts, while posting one impact game (27.90 fantasy points).

Nico Collins→ his ranking

Collins was one of my misses in 2023, finishing 12th among wide receivers in PPR scoring with 260.40 fantasy points despite missing two games and playing only three snaps in another contest. When the matchup was right, he was electric, highlighted by posting five standout performances (7/146/1, 7/168/2, 7/104/1, 9/191/1, and 9/195/1), four of which came at home, where he averaged 17.98 fantasy points per game compared to just 11.70 on the road. His combination of a 73.4% catch rate and 16.2 yards per reception was elite, and he racked up 20-plus-yard gains on 25 plays.

In 2024, opened even more promisingly. Collins was outstanding over his first four games (6/117, 8/135/1, 4/86, and 12/151/1 on 43 targets) before a hamstring injury forced him out nine snaps into Week 5, costing him the next five games.

By the time he returned, the Texans' offense had lost its early-season momentum. Collins showed flashes in Week 12 (5/92/1), Week 13 (8/119), and the playoff opener (7/122/1), but his other six appearances were considerably quieter (28 catches for 309 yards and three touchdowns on 43 targets), averaging 15.80 PPR fantasy points over his final nine starts. His missed time led to Collins slipping to 23rd in PPR fantasy points (210.60 – 17.78 per game for all 14 games played in 2024).

Heading into 2026, Collins has gained over 1,000 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons despite missing nine games. He comes off a career high in targets (120 – eight per game) while sitting out Week 8 with a concussion and resting in the game of the year. A second concussion led to an early exit in Houston's first postseason game, followed by a missed start vs. the Patriots.

Collins gained over 100 receiving yards in only three games (8/104/1, 7/136, and 4/121) in 2025 while posting two other impactful showings (9/92/1 and 3/85/2). The Texans gave him double-digit targets in six contests. Over his last 42 games in the regular season, he averaged 5.2 catches for 82 yards and 0.52 touchdowns per game (16.52 FPPG and 15.6 yards per catch). Despite missing two starts, Collins was the eighth-best wide receiver in PPR formats (227.20 fantasy points) last season.

At this point, his floor should be about 70 catches for 1,100 and seven scores by pricing in a couple of off days. With a progression to 135 targets (his 2025 target opportunity), Collins would come in closer to 85 catches for 1,300 yards and 10 scores. If the Texans’ passing game regains its 2023 form, he will be even better.

Jayden Higgins→ his ranking

Higgins built his college resume across two programs, starting at Eastern Kentucky before transferring to Iowa State. His two seasons with the Cyclones were a clear step up in competition and production (53 catches for 983 yards and six touchdowns in his junior year, followed by 87 catches for 1,183 yards and nine scores as a senior).

Iowa State used him as a deep threat early, where he averaged 18.5 yards per catch, before transitioning him into a higher-volume role the following season (13.6 YPC). Across 26 Division I games, Higgins topped 100 receiving yards eight times and showed improved consistency in 2024, reaching five catches or more in 11 of 13 games.

Houston selected him in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. At 6'4" and 215 pounds with a 4.47 forty, Higgins brings an appealing size-speed combination for the position. He projects as a versatile receiver who can win over the middle of the field in short areas and hold his own on the outside with back-shoulder throws.

Higgins is a natural hands-catcher who high-points the ball well and runs routes with polish, though he can struggle when asked to change direction quickly or work back to the quarterback. His overall profile draws a closer comparison to Michael Pittman than to Mike Evans, a reliable, size-based mismatch creator rather than a dominant contested-catch specialist.

In his first season with the Texans, Higgins showed some chemistry with C.J. Stroud in scoring (six TDs), but he had five targets or fewer in 14 of his 19 matchups. Houston barely looked his way over his first six NFL games (nine catches for 121 yards and one touchdown on 13 targets). His target opportunity (six per start) ramped up over his next seven games (26/272/3 on 42 targets), but he gained only 10.5 yards per catch and averaged 10.17 fantasy points per game (PPR). Higgins finished the year with 15 more catches over six games, leading to 230 yards and two touchdowns on 27 targets.

Despite that thought process, Higgins ranks 52nd in mid-May in the NFFC, with a late 10th-round ADP (118). His next step should be 60 catches for 700 yards with five to seven scores. Houston gave him WR3 snaps (58.9%) last season.

Jaylin Noel→ his ranking

Noel's role at Iowa State grew steadily each season. He started modestly as a freshman with 39 catches for 269 yards and no touchdowns before developing into one of the more productive receivers in the Big 12, posting 61 catches for 619 yards and three scores in 2022, 66 catches for 819 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023, and a breakout senior year of 80 catches for 1,232 yards and eight scores in 2024. His yards per catch improved every single season (6.9, 9.5, 12.4, and 14.9), reflecting a receiver who became more of a big-play threat as his career progressed.

At 5'10" and 195 pounds with a 4.39 forty, Noel fits a classic slot profile with legitimate speed to threaten defenses vertically. Iowa State used him primarily over the middle of the field, where his long speed created natural advantages and led to a number of easier catches against linebackers. His short-area quickness is a genuine weapon, though his route running still needs refinement before it's ready to create an edge against NFL defenses. He also brings return value, having handled both punt (53 returns, 466 yards) and kickoff (37 returns, 821 yards) duties in college.

At his best, Noel projects as a slot receiver who can win consistently on slants and crossing routes while threatening defenses vertically when defenses focus on taking short throws away. The comparison that comes to mind is Tyler Lockett, but his realistic ceiling at the NFL level may be a WR3 role.

The Texans gave Noel a minimal opportunity in most games in his rookie season, while ranking fifth on the wide receivers depth chart in snaps (24.3%). He was never on the field for more than 40% of snaps in any matchup. Houston gave him two targets or fewer in 14 of his 19 games. Noel scored double-digit fantasy points (PPR) in three games (4/77, 5/63, and 3/54/1). His rookie campaign ended with 26 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns on 35 targets.

In the National Fantasy Football Championship, Noel won’t be drafted in many 12-team redraft leagues (ADP of 238 in mid-May) until more news comes out about his projected role. For now, I consider him an injury-cover option in the Texans’ offense.

Xavier Hutchinson→ his ranking

Hutchinson profiles as a big outside receiver at 6'2" and 205 pounds. He shows the ability to win off the line against tight-man coverage and has a reasonable foundation in his route running. His area that needs the most work is the red zone, where he'll need to prove he can create more scoring opportunities to boost his overall value at the next level.

At Iowa State, Hutchinson was a three-year starter who improved his production in every season (64 catches for 771 yards and four touchdowns, then 83 catches for 987 yards and five scores, and finally 107 catches for 1,171 yards and six touchdowns). Across 254 career receptions for 2,929 yards and 15 touchdowns, he showed consistent growth as a volume receiver. His 2024 season was particularly strong, with double-digit catches in six games and seven 100-yard performances. The scoring concern was evident even after finding the end zone five times in his first three games; Hutchinson managed just one touchdown in nine games vs. better division opponents.

After catching only eight of his 19 targets for 90 yards in his rookie season, followed by another dull year in 2024 (12/117), Hutchinson secured WR2 snaps (59.9%) last season. His increase in playing time netted him 74 targets over 19 matchups (3.9 per game), leading to 41 catches for 505 yards and three touchdowns.

His catch rate (55.4%) showed weakness, and Hutchinson delivered only three playable outcomes (3/18/2, 5/69/1, and 13.40). His two target games (9 and 13) came in Week 18 and Week 20, when Nico Collins was on the sidelines.

Tank Dell→ his ranking

Dell's rookie season was a genuine breakout before injuries intervened. Over his first 10 games, he posted 47 catches for 760 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 14.15 PPR fantasy points per game, with four standout performances highlighted by an eight-catch, 149-yard, one-touchdown effort.

He was particularly hot from Weeks 9 through 12, catching 25 passes for 396 yards and finding the end zone in each of those four games. A calf injury ended his year shortly after, followed by a broken leg in early December. His offseason brought further misfortune when a gunshot wound resulted in a minor leg injury.

In 2024, his explosiveness wasn’t the same. Dell was limited to a WR3 role in Week 1 and managed just three catches for 59 yards on seven targets, followed by an empty showing in the next game (one catch for minus three yards and three rushes for 16 yards)

He showed signs of life over the following seven games with 26 catches for 318 yards and two touchdowns on 36 targets, which included a miss start in Week 4 with a chest issue. From Week 10 to Week 16 (six games), Dell made bigger plays (14.9 yards per catch), while lacking difference-maker stats (21/312/1 on 34 targets).

His season then came to an abrupt and painful end against Kansas City, where, after a fast start (six catches, 98 yards, and a touchdown), he suffered a severe left knee injury on a scoring play that ultimately required two surgeries and cost Dell all of 2025.

Dalton Schultz→ his ranking

Schultz got off to a promising start in 2022 with seven catches for 62 yards in the opener for Dallas, then went largely quiet over the next five games (just two catches for 18 yards on eight targets, two zero-catch outings, and two missed starts due to a knee injury). He rebounded strongly over the final 13 games, including the postseason, tallying 60 catches for 619 yards and eight touchdowns on 90 targets. His three best fantasy performances all featured two-touchdown efforts.

His first season in Houston was a mixed bag. Schultz delivered one standout game (10 catches, 130 yards, and a touchdown) and reached double digits in fantasy points six other times, but his down days were genuinely damaging for fantasy managers (he had six appearances with two catches or fewer). Schultz finished 10th among tight ends in PPR scoring with 151.50 points.

2024 was his least productive stretch over five years despite playing on 77.8% of Houston's snaps, up from 66.4% the year prior. Across 19 starts, including the postseason, Schultz failed to reach 10.00 fantasy points in 17 appearances. His only worthwhile outings came in Week 13 (five catches, 61 yards, and a touchdown) and Week 16 (five catches, 45 yards, and a touchdown), a thin return for a tight end who saw that level of playing time.

Surprisingly, Schultz climbed off the fantasy mat last year to set career highs in catches (82) and targets (106), resulting in his second-highest total in receiving yards (777). He had weakness in scoring (three TDs) and his yards per catch (9.5).

His rebound season lifted Schultz to 10th in tight end PPR scoring (177.70) while finishing with nine double-digit fantasy days (5/60, 9/98, 6/77, 7/53/1, 6/51, 7/55, 8/76/1, 5/35/1, and 4/73). On the downside, Schultz had four targets or fewer in six of his final nine starts, a potential foreshadowing of his 2026 opportunity.

I view him as a 60-catch player who has a chance to deliver close to 600 receiving yards with low scoring, putting him in matchup-only mode as a TE2. The presence of Klare should present more of a problem over the back half of the season. Houston extended Schultz’s contract in March ($12.6 million for 2027), which shows their commitment to him.

Ka’imi Fairbairn

Over the past four seasons, Fairbairn made 136 of his 149 field goal attempts (91.3%), with three missed extra points (110 chances). His leg had a massive spike from 50 yards or more in 2024 and 2025 (22-for-29). He led the NFL in made field goals (44) and attempts (48) in 2025, lifting him to second in fantasy points (207.10). Fairbairn made at least three goals in nine of his 19 games, highlighted by four fantasy days (19.10, 19.0, 18.80, and 27.90).