The Houston Texans now have the same top-five pass-catchers from 2023 after agreeing to a new deal with wide receiver Noah Brown.
The Houston Texans kept another piece of their 2023 offense after agreeing to re-sign wide receiver Noah Bown, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
Terms of the deal were not immediately available.
The Texans are re-signing wide receiver Noah Brown, per sources.
Brown, 28, is the second offensive skill position player the Texans re-signed after tight end Dalton Schultz got a new deal earlier this offseason. He finished in receptions and fourth in yards this season with 33 catches for 567 yards. Brown also caught two touchdowns.
This move gives C.J. Stroud more continuity on offense as he heads into Year 2. Houston’s top-five pass-catchers will all return now, beginning with receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell as the clear-cut pass-catching options on the outside along with tight ends Schultz and Brevin Jordan. Veteran Robert Woods and third-year wideout John Metchie are also still on the roster.
The backfield is where things will be different after Houston let running back Devin Singletary walk in free agency. Dameon Pierce is the only running back currently on the roster as the Texans head into Day 2 of the legal tampering period.
Brown is a good depth signing, but it’s unclear if the Texans are comfortable with rolling out the same wide receiver corps in 2024 as it did this past season. The 2024 draft is rife with talent and there are other veterans on the open market as well.
Five Buckeyes make list of top free agents #GoBucks
Our lovely friends over at Touchdown Wire have provided an interesting list of the top 101 players to become free agents in 2024, and five former Ohio State football stars have made an appearance. These lists are always fun because the excitement of someone getting a fresh start always provides a silver lining of potential stardom.
Some of the players on this list are young guys looking to cash on big and potentially start over, but a couple are older players looking to make a trip to the bank as they finish their career.
NFL teams can contact free agents on March 11, which opens the official tampering period. Now, this list is not set in stone as there is a slim chance a player can be franchised tagged and no longer available for free agency, but again I want to emphasize that chance is pretty slim for these five players. Let’s now dive into the list.
Ohio State recruiting scouting report: Jeremiah Smith #GoBucks
Ohio State football had another dominant recruiting class and was a consensus top-five class in the country. Once again the class features more than a few heavy hitters on the offensive side of the football, including the nation’s top receiver and overall top recruit in Jeremiah Smith.
Name: Jeremiah Smith
High School: Chaminade-Madonnna Prep (Opa Locka, FL)
The first thing you notice about Jeremiah Smith is his elite size for his age. Very few freshmen come in with such an advanced body and know how to utilize it. Judging by his frame, he has even more room to pack on weight. It is so obvious that Smith is a special talent and has the size and speed combination to destroy defenses over the top.
One of the more common concerns I have seen online is people concerned with his weight, but as I stated above, I don’t have that same issue. Smith to me already has an NFL-ready body. My biggest concern is that his game is great vertically, but can he be as great as a threat horizontally at the next level?
This comparison may seem like an insult, but Noah Brown is an extremely underrated Buckeye. The problem with Brown’s legacy is he struggled with injuries early in his career and declared for the draft with two years of eligibility remaining, but he had All-American potential. Jeremiah Smith is a more refined version of Brown, but they play with similar traits. Both players are deep-threat specialists who can take advantage of jump-ball situations.
Expectations
Ohio State commit Jeremiah Smith has scored the first touchdown in the All-American Game! pic.twitter.com/5J3zLDpt4c
Expectations are high for Jeremiah Smith and understandably so, but it is important to be patient as this Ohio State receiver room is going to be stacked yet again. Emeka Egbuka is going to be the clear-cut No. 1, while Jayden Ballard is the speed merchant and Carnell Tate showed alpha potential last season. I don’t think it’s unreasonable that Smith is the fourth option, but even Brandon Inniss looked like a potential star in his brief showing last year. Smith is a stud, but he may have to wait behind some other studs before showcasing his ability.
Or, he may be as good as advertised and push his way into the starting lineup as a freshman. We shall see.
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Here are some waiver wire options for fantasy this week.
After the 16th full slate of regular season action, every fantasy league is at least in their playoffs, with some in their championships.
If you had a tough injury in Week 16, or you just didn’t get the production from one of your players that you expected, we’ll scan the waiver wire. For potential pickups, we’ll consider players who are available in at least 50% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Let’s take a look at some of the potential waiver wire pickups that could help your teams heading into Week 17 of the NFL campaign.
Here are some waiver wire options for fantasy this week.
After the 15th full slate of regular season action, nearly every fantasy football league should be in their playoffs.
If you had a tough injury in Week 15, or you just didn’t get the production from one of your players that you expected, we’ll scan the waiver wire. For potential pickups, we’ll consider players who are available in at least 50% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Let’s take a look at some of the potential waiver wire pickups that could help your teams heading into Week 16 of the NFL campaign.
Here are the top waiver wire targets for Week 16 of fantasy football.
For the majority of leagues, the first round of the fantasy football playoffs comes to an end Monday night after a wild weekend of games in Week 15.
Hopefully, you were able to get through the week unscathed with a victory, but there were plenty of injuries that hit managers right in the starting lineup.
The bye weeks also are finally over, so it will be just good old-fashioned fantasy football. With trade deadlines concluded in the majority of leagues as well, the waiver wire becomes the most vital tool for fantasy managers over the three weeks.
We’re also getting to the point of the season in which stashing FAAB isn’t as crucial. Don’t hesitate to spend a bit more on a player who might give your team an edge down the stretch.
We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo leagues, using the 75% rostered mark as the threshold. If you have any questions about prioritizing a certain player over another, don’t be afraid to hit me up on X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11). Your questions and comments are always welcome!
We also will be taking a look at some deeper players to stash and the top streaming options for the upcoming week.
Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.
Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.
Here are 10 waiver wire targets to consider picking up for the fantasy football playoffs.
Congratulations, you’re alive in the playoffs of your fantasy football league! Either that or you are taking your consolation bracket really, really seriously.
Either way, everyone can look to the waiver wire this week to improve your depth in fantasy football. We’ve put together a list of ten targets to consider, including options at running back, wide receiver, tight end and quarterback.
One of the biggest waiver wire targets of the week is Raiders running back Zamir White, who filled in for an injured Josh Jacobs and totaled 85 yards from scrimmage and scored a touchdown on Thursday Night Football. If Jacobs (quad) misses another game, White will be a must-start in Week 16.
Another notable player to consider is Texans wide receiver Noah Brown, who totaled eight receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. Brown’s production will probably take a hit when Nico Collins returns from injury, but Brown is a priority waiver wire target nonetheless.
Each player’s rostered percentage in ESPN fantasy football leagues is listed in parentheses. Let’s get to the list!
We look across the league to find the best waiver wire options for fantasy managers to add to their teams.
It was an exciting and interesting Week 13, where we saw some new names enter into our collective fantasy football minds. Injuries and breakout stars are going to send fantasy managers scrambling to waivers this week, and we can fill you in on who to target before waivers clear.
The season races toward Week 17 and fantasy championships (yes, I know, some use Week 18 because change is hard). That’s just five weeks away, and most fantasy leagues will begin their playoffs in either Week 15 or 16. For those of you in large contests, it probably starts in Week 14 so this is the final week of your regular season.
We’ve seen plenty of transition through the year and by this point, there aren’t many (any?) players new to starting that will make a difference. Your waiver wire is likely exhausted, and by this point, you’re swapping kickers and defenses just because it feels like you need to always upgrade.
Let’s take a look at six items for Week 13.
1.) RB Leonard Fournette (BUF) – I discussed him a few weeks back when he landed on the practice squad for the Bills, who wanted to get him into shape and versed in the offense. James Cook and Latavius Murray are currently splitting the workload, and adding Fournette may just reduce everyone’s fantasy value. But – if any player suddenly appeared on the scene and made a difference, it would be Fournette as a productive veteran landing in a capable offense. HC Sean McDermott said he didn’t elevate him last week because they needed other players against the Eagles. The Bills are on bye this week, and Fournette could get the call up for Week 14 at home against the Rams.
2.) QB Aaron Rodgers (NYJ) – The almost-starting quarterback for the Jets has nursed his torn Achilles and said that it was “possible” that he could return in the coming weeks. He was designated to return from injured reserve and that opened his 21 days to be activated or he must remain on IR for the balance of the season. He could play in Week 16 if it happens, but the Jets are 4-7 with a slate of ATL, HOU, and @MIA before Week 16 against WAS. Even if he did, he would carry no fantasy reliability but could potentially help Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson right when you need them most. That seems overly optimistic, but the Jets wouldn’t have activated him if they hadn’t thought he had a chance to play. They must end the season on a high note, no matter what.
3.) Those amazing rookies – The 2023 class of wide receivers wasn’t considered a top class, and there were no drafted until the 1.20 pick. There were 14 taken over the first two days (Rounds 1-3). And 17 were taken in 2022 during those rounds, and six were selected before the 1.20 pick. That was considered a great class for wideouts and three went on to be Top-40 last year – worthy of being a fantasy starter. This year? There are SEVEN wideouts currently in the Top 40. That’s more than one-in-six top wideouts who are rookies from a “weaker” class.
4.) QB Joe Flacco (CLE) – Dorian Thompson-Robinson has a concussion and may not be cleared in time to play the Rams. If he cannot play, Joe Flacco will take the start. That would change the offense dramatically. Flacco will not be running. He is a pocket passer, and he’ll probably get hurt if he leaves the safe pocket protected by the Browns’ formidable O-line. The 38-year-old veteran is drawing raves from Amari Cooper on the quality of his passes. Imagine the Browns’ passing game with a passer who won’t take off on a run and who started three games for the Jets last year with 285+ yards in each. He could boost the receiving stats for several players.
5.) WR Noah Brown (HOU) – The veteran wideout has been out with a bruised knee since Week 10 when he posted a career-best 172 yards on seven receptions at the Bengals. Brown had limited practices to start the week and should be on track to return this week. His last two games helped C.J. Stroud throw for 470 yards and five scores versus the Bucs, then 356 yards and two touchdowns against the Bengals. The Broncos this week will be a bigger challenge but the trio of Brown, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell has been devastating.
6.)Packers passing game – There’s been an upturn in stats for Jordan Love and the wide receivers. He threw for 322 yards and two scores against the Chargers and then 268 yards and three touchdowns on the Lions. Christian Watson and Jayden Reed scored in both games. This week they face the Chiefs and their challenging defense. If the Packers can show continued improvement against the Top-5 pass defense of the Chiefs, the Packers have a very advantageous remaining schedule.
About Last Night…
Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle 35, Dallas 41
Well. Thursday night games are typically sloppier and lower scoring than Sunday games. Not this week, apparently the sloppy play was limited to the defenses.
The Cowboys were favored by eight points and had held visitors to Dallas to under 20 points. But the Seahawks led 21-20 at the half thanks to DK Metcalf scoring twice. The Cowboys had to settle for four field goals because they had a problem punching in touchdowns, and the Cowboys were on the Seattle 20-yard line or closer on every kick. The Seahawks led 35-27 to start the fourth quarter before the Cowboys posted 17 unanswered points to win.
No one expected Geno Smith to throw for 334 yards and three scores – by far the best passing performance allowed by the Cowboys this year. It helped that DK Metcalf (6-134, 3 TD) opened the game with a 73-yard touchdown. No opposing wideout had scored more than once against that defense. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (7-62) and Tyler Lockett (5-47) chipped enough to keep the stocks moving. Zach Charbonnet ran for 60 yards on 19 carries and rushed in a touchdown while catching a 39-yard pass. The Seattle offense was far better than expected and couldn’t quite hang on for a win.
The Cowboys posted very similar stats. Dak Prescott passed for 299 yards and three touchdowns with CeeDee Lamb (12-116, TD) as the top receiver and he also ran for 30 yards on two rushes. Jake Ferguson (6-77, TD) and Brandin Cooks (4-45, TD) were the only other receivers with more than 17 yards. Tony Pollard ran for 68 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries and added three receptions for 15 yards. It was shockingly high-scoring and a treat to see on a Thursday.
Brown is questionable to play with a knee injury. He had over 150 receiving yards in each of the last two weeks.
The Houston Texans are expected to be without receiver Noah Brown as they take on the Arizona Cardinals at home on Sunday. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Brown is unlikely to play, although he will work out before the game to make a final decision.
Brown is officially questionable for the game with a knee injury that limited him in practice all week.
Brown exploded for huge games each of the last two weeks, both wins for the Texans. Against the Cincinnati Bengals last week, Brown caught seven passes for 172 yards. He had six receptions for 153 yards and a score in the previous game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On the season, Brown has caught 21 passes for 439 yards and a score. He enters Week 11 leading the NFL at 20.9 yards per reception.
