The Houston Texans receiving corps is even more ambiguous than it was a year ago when the team traded All-Pro wideout DeAndre Hopkins.
Brandin Cooks figured to be the No. 1 receiver, but as to how the rest of the receivers factor in the pecking order remains to be seen.
According to receiver Chris Moore, one way that the Texans’ receivers motivate each other in a positive manner is to keep a “competitive sheet” that tracks their performance throughout practice.
“We got nothing but dogs in there,” Moore said of the receivers room. “We’ve got a bunch of great players. Everybody is pushing each other. We’ve got a little competitive sheet, so, we’re always staying on top of each other.”
According to Moore, the Texans keep track of “drops, catches, explosive plays, big plays,” and it computes into a percentage to determine who is the leader at the top of the sheet.
Said Moore: “I’m a guy, when I see it, I always want to be at the top, but I’m still working to get at the top.”
Through Wednesday’s practice, according to Moore, Cooks and Chris Conley were at the top of the sheet.
In addition to the sheet, the Texans also have enculturation of the game with older players taking younger receivers under their wings and advising them on the finer points of the game.
“We’ve got a lot of older players who are teaching each other, and we’ve got young dude, Nico (Collins), who’s a beast,” said Moore. “I like him a lot. So we’ll see.”