The Houston Texans filled their void at receiver due to the DeAndre Hopkins trade by signing Pro Bowler Randall Cobb. Even though the 29-year-old isn’t in the same elite tier as Hopkins, Cobb should provide some relief for two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson.
However, getting Cobb to fit into the Texans’ offense may prove a challenge. As Mark Schofield of the Touchdown Wire notes, Cobb can replace Hopkins in the slot, but he can’t replace the three-time All-Pro out wide.
The Houston Texans tried to address the wide receiver position in the wake of the move, acquiring Randall Cobb in free agency. Cobb is a nice piece, a slot receiver (he saw 90.4 percent of his snaps in the slot last season) who can complement a wide receiver group well. But he cannot be asked to replace Hopkins, who was used primarily on the outside a season ago.
The issue is one the Texans will have to address throughout the course of the offseason. When the Texans go to 12 personnel — one running back and two tight ends — Cobb may come out of the game.
Also, while the Houston Texans used 11 offensive personnel most of the time a year ago (60 percent of their snaps) 12 offensive personnel was their second-most utilized package. The Texans used that two-tight end package 34 percent of the time, behind just the Philadelphia Eagles, the Minnesota Vikings and the Tennessee Titans. How Cobb fits into that grouping will be interesting to watch, given his experience playing out of the slot.
The Texans still have the remainder of free agency along with the NFL Draft to find a replacement, at least in position, for Hopkins on the outside. Cobb more than likely won’t be that receiver, but his slot skills can still be a boon for Houston’s passing offense.