The Houston Texans offense hums when Will Fuller is in the lineup.
The problem with the former 2016 first-round receiver from Notre Dame is he has trouble staying healthy and on the field. This combination makes him one of the more frustrating fantasy football players in the NFL.
Consider that Pro Football Focus released their list of the top-5 fantasy performances in 2019. At the top of the list was Fuller with 53.7 points, a result of his 14 catches for 217 yards and three touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons in a 53-32 blowout at NRG Stadium.
And if anyone was starting quarterback Deshaun Watson with Fuller that week, it was an embarrassment of riches.
Drop an emoji if one of these games
🕺 Got you that W
😡 Started against you pic.twitter.com/0wEHXN3miu— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) June 12, 2020
Fuller didn’t have another week like that for the rest of the season. Two games later, he would injure his hamstring against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7 and would miss the next three games. Fuller would return in the rematch with the Colts on Thursday Night Football, and add seven catches for 140 yards in the process. However, those three touchdowns he caught against the Falcons were the only scores he had all season.
On the fantasy front, Fuller may still be an unpredictable player. However, offensive coordinator Tim Kelly is optimistic about Fuller’s ability to help the Texans offense in 2020.
“All the conversations I’ve had with Will have been encouraging,” Kelly told reporters on May 30. “He’s been good in the meeting room, he’s been great with his position coach, John Perry. So, we’re encouraged by that.”
If the Texans can find a way to keep Fuller on the field and out of the blue medical tent, then Houston’s offense should be able to open up for Watson as he seeks to advance the passing attack without receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The new Texans receiving corps features speed, and Fuller has all the talent to contribute.