One possible trade destination for the disgruntled wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers is the Houston Texans.
One of the biggest surprises in the NFL in 2023 was the Houston Texans. With a 63.9% completion rate, 4,108 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and just five interceptions, quarterback CJ Stroud received Offensive Rookie of the Year. NFL Coach of the Year winner DeMeco Ryans finished second, having guided the Texans to a 10-7 record and the division title in the AFC South.
Two Young Wide Receivers for the Houston Texans Started to Shine in 2023
Additionally, the Texans featured two explosive wide receivers that made it very difficult to stop their attack. Nico Collins exploded for 80 receptions, 1,297 yards, and eight touchdowns in 2023 after totaling just 70 grabs for 927 yards and three scores in his first two seasons.
Before suffering a fractured leg that ended his season, Tank Dell was having an incredible rookie campaign of his own, with 47 receptions, 709 yards, and seven touchdowns.
The Texans had two wide receivers with more over 400 receiving yards in 2023 in addition to Collins and Dell. Robert Woods (426) and Noah Brown (567) are those. It was a really strong rookie season for Brown. But for Woods, it was the least successful statistical season of his career. The offense will require an overhaul if they are to advance.
Could Robert Woods, a wide receiver, leave the Houston Texans?
Since 2018, Woods’ overall receiving yards has dropped annually:
1,219 in 2018
1.134 in 2019
2021 – 556 2020 – 936
2022: 527
2023: 426
Here, the pattern is very evident: Woods is deteriorating. In addition to having a history of injuries, he will be 32 in 2024. By cutting him, the Texans may also avoid paying $5 million toward their salary cap.
However, it is obvious that Houston cannot count on Woods to be one of their top four wide receivers moving ahead, whether or not they decide to break ways with him.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers has been linked to the Houston Texans as a possible trade partner.
Brandon Aiyuk, a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, is not content. Following the 49ers’ Super Bowl defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs, Aiyuk’s fiancée hinted on social media that the Second Team All Pro would not return for the upcoming season. Many people are curious about Aiyuk’s future after he made a mysterious post.
As a result of these events, many people think that Aiyuk would ask for a trade. Even if the 49ers activated his fifth-year option, he is still bound by his rookie contract and may yet be able to leave San Francisco.
According to Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, the Texans are among the teams that might be able to lure the disgruntled wide receiver away from the 49ers:
Although Tank Dell and Nico Collins are two gifted young ball catchers for the Texans, Aiyuk might take over as the team’s top receiver right away.
Considering that San Francisco would be trading Aiyuk out of the conference, Houston would probably have an easier time than Arizona obtaining him for a very low price. With Collins and Dell on rookie contracts and $65.4 million in expected cap space, the Texans could afford to offer Aiyuk a top-tier contract.
“The Texans still possess the Cleveland Browns’ 23rd overall selection from the Deshaun Watson deal, but they lost their 2024 first-round pick to Arizona in order to get pass-rusher Will Anderson Jr. in last year’s draft.
With that selection, Houston might select a top-tier No. 1 receiver, but it won’t find a player with the level of experience that Aiyuk, who surpassed 1,300 receiving yards in 2023, has.
Knox suggests that in order to close the deal, the Texans might have to forfeit a first-round pick and a third-round pick in 2024.
The 49ers most likely could not have afforded to offer Aiyuk a big extension, but the Texans could afford to give him one anyhow, with $64 million in salary cap room.
Aiyuk, Collins, and Dell together in a wide receiving room might rank among the finest in the NFL.
