Houston Texans: Anthony Miller another worthwhile risk
The Houston Texans acquired wide receiver Anthony Miller from the Chicago Bears in a trade. He is a worthwhile risk for Houston in 2021.
If it feels like the Houston Texans have been over-covered by NFL media in the 2021 offseason, it’s only because every major and minor rumor or transaction has involved them. That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but frankly, it’s not far off of the actual truth.
They hired Nick Caserio as their new general manager and David Culley as their new head coach.
The Texans released future Hall of Famer JJ Watt earlier this offseason, and at this point, that feels like it was a few years ago.
Star quarterback Deshaun Watson has demanded a trade, a wish that could soon be granted.
Houston made 38 unrestricted free agent signings or trades of players who were not in Houston a season ago.
They made a variety of trades as well, the latest of which brought former Chicago Bears second-round pick Anthony Miller to Houston.
Miller is one of nearly an entire roster full of players to join Houston for the 2021 season in what has felt like a borderline expansion year for this team.
Although it is easy to look down on many of the moves Houston has made and certainly things aren’t looking great for their future without Deshaun Watson, the move to pick up Miller is one many other teams may be wishing they had made as the season progresses.
Miller had seven touchdowns in his rookie 2018 season with the Chicago Bears but has been unable to capture that momentum in the two seasons that have followed.
He’s caught four touchdowns in 32 games combined from 2019-20 but has also racked up 101 receptions for 1,141 yards and an average of 3.2 receptions per game over that timeframe.
Miller will still be only 27 this season and he offers a dynamic presence both on the outside and in the slot with some really solid speed and route running abilities.
With Brandin Cooks, Randall Cobb, and rookie Nico Collins expected to eat a lot of snaps at receiver for the Houston Texans this year, the opportunity will definitely be there for Miller to come in and make a substantial impact and earn a new contract in Houston or elsewhere beyond this season.
The 2021 season is going to be an evaluation year for the Houston Texans. Who knows who will be lining up at quarterback for this team to start the season? At this point, it’s reasonable to think it will be Tyrod Taylor.
If Houston trades Deshaun Watson, it will have another new bounty of picks and players coming in to join a team that has very little carryover from last season and so many guys who will be playing for new deals in 2022. Many of those players will not be in Houston after this season.
The opportunity is there for someone like Miller to rebound and really showcase his talent to the rest of the league. Perhaps Houston would even parlay a strong preseason or start to the 2021 regular season into acquiring some assets at this year’s trade deadline.
No roster in the NFL is as devoid of a future as the Houston Texans. With that being said, Miller can seize the present moment.