The Houston Texans still can win the AFC South despite losing Stefon Diggs to a season-ending torn ACL.
They could win a playoff game and advance to the divisional round for a second straight season.
But to make it to New Orleans Nick Caserio must target a name before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. Thursday’s 21-13 loss to the New York Jets proved that Houston needs another piece to complete the trifecta of potential Offensive Player of the Year candidate Nico Collins and an inconsistent yet promising Tank Dell.
Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowl target and go-to name for C.J. Stroud in place of the injured Collins, was technically the first of the pass-catchers on the move. Over the past three weeks, three more AFC contenders added Pro Bowl-caliber to better their odds of making it to the Super Bowl.
Over the past 10 days, the Bills added Amari Cooper from the Browns, the Chiefs landed DeAndre Hopkins from the Titans, and the Ravens secured a deal with the Panthers for Diontae Johnson. If that’s not enough, the Raiders also shipped Davante Adams to the Jets for a reunion with Aaron Rodgers, though New York is on a two-game losing streak since the All-Pro joined.
There are plenty of receivers out there worth targeting, but everything comes down to price. Caserio has made it clear that he’s willing to spend but won’t splurge for a rental option by risking premier draft capital on someone who will cash in elsewhere next offseason.
With that in mind, here are seven receivers Houston could target before Tuesday’s 3 p.m. deadline.