Houston Texans should target WR with the 40th pick of 2020 NFL Draft

After trading away DeAndre Hopkins, the Houston Texans will need to look for a wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Houston Texans made a stunning move on the first day of free agency, shipping off wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for a second-round pick, a fourth-round pick, and running back David Johnson.

The backlash was all over the sports world after this move, with analysts and Twitter users alike bashing Bill O’Brien for unloading a superstar for only a second-round pick. It’s clear that O’Brien has plans for Johnson in the offense as a three-down back, and they now have two second-round selections.

One of those picks needs to address the receiver position, and preferably their first of the two (40th overall). The good news is that this deep class presents an opportunity to select a top talent on day two of the draft. Let’s look at three wide receivers they could take with the 40th pick.

Denzel Mims

Baylor’s Denzel Mims should be at the top of the list for the Texans in round two. Mims has had an excellent draft process up to this point. He looked excellent at the Senior Bowl, winning his one-on-ones in a variety of ways, working through contact well against press coverage and stacking corners when going vertical. Mims also dominated the combine, putting up elite numbers in the 40-yard dash (4.38) and the three-cone (6.66).

Add the athletic testing to his tape, and he’s as well-rounded a receiver as anyone in the class. Mims high points the ball well in contested spots and has a large catch radius and great hands. He has an ability to work vertically and stack receivers, and while his route tree isn’t fully developed, he succeeds in the intermediate area and deep down the field.

The Texans need to find another number one receiver, and Mims brings another vertical threat to Houston, who is a red zone threat and possession receiver like Hopkins has been.

Donovan Peoples-Jones

Another receiver to keep an eye on is Michigan’s Donovan Peoples-Jones. Like Mims, Peoples-Jones had a big week at the combine. He led the receiver field in both the vertical and the broad jump and topped it off by running a 4.46-second 40.

Peoples-Jones didn’t have the production of some other receivers that are projected to be drafted on day two, but that can be attributed to poor quarterback play and an offense that featured the running game.

As far as a prospect goes, Peoples-Jones can fit in with this Houston Texans offense. His route tree is expansive enough for him to create separation at all three levels. He also works well through contact and is a fluid mover who can change direction with ease.

His best trait is his ability in contested spots, where he can high point the ball. The versatility of Peoples-Jones is also something to note, but with the signing of Randall Cobb, he’d likely play on the outside in Houston. He complements everyone so well and is worth monitoring for the Texans, even at the 40th pick.

Brandon Aiyuk

Last on the list to watch in the second round is Arizona State’s Brandon Aiyuk. While Aiyuk isn’t exactly in the mold of a number one receiver like Mims or Peoples-Jones, there is plenty of upside that he brings to the table.

Aiyuk has a big catch radius just like the two mentioned above, and he has quick-twitch and change of direction ability to separate in the short area as a route runner. He’s put some wicked double moves on tape, including a stutter move to win vertically and an effective whip route. Aiyuk does have some issues against press coverage, but his ability to win vertically down the field is the reason he’s getting attention earlier in the draft.

As for his fit with the Houston Texans, Aiyuk fits a similar mold to that of Will Fuller. But, as we know, Houston had a much more effective offense in place when Fuller was on the field. Aiyuk presents the speed to threaten deep as well, and with DeShaun Watson at the helm, he will be able to have multiple weapons at this disposal who can take the top off the defense.