Nico Collins

In the first season of a surprisingly lucrative three-year contract, 28-year-old Schultz slumped to five-year lows in receptions (53), yards (532) and touchdowns (two). This, despite the fact that Stefon Diggs never really got going before his ACL injury and Nico Collins spent time on injured reserve with a hamstring issue. Tank Dell was also lost in Week 16 to a knee issue. Schultz is a classic catch-and-fall specialist who long ago maxed out his talent, so it's not like he has another level to ascend to. That being said, he probably ran unreasonably cold this year, and catching 50 balls five straight seasons is no small feat for a seam stretcher. Schultz will keep hanging around the TE1 periphery in 2025.

The Texans' emergency No. 2 wideout since Tank Dell's gruesome Week 16 knee injury, 24-year-old Metchie heads into the offseason having cleared 50 yards receiving only one time all year. That was before Dell's ailment but during Nico Collins' absence in Week 10. Heading into the final year of his rookie deal, Metchie has caught at least 30 balls each of the past seasons after missing 2022 with illness. Not a bad floor, but Metchie has not hinted at ceiling, while the Texans have given zero indication they expect Metchie to further ascend the depth chart. He's a role player who might not be guaranteed to crack the 53-man roster in 2025. Missing out would admittedly be unlikely.

As was the case for most of the stretch run, Stroud was besieged and confused behind the Texans' battered line, taking a ridiculous eight sacks for a ruinous 58 yards. The reigning offensive rookie of the year, Stroud started slow this season and never really heated up. After posting a 7:3 TD:INT total across his first five starts, that ratio fell to 13:9 over his final 12 appearances. He never reached 300 yards after October 6, watching his rookie touchdown rate fall as his interception and sack percentages climbed. Shaky under pressure after handling the blitz well as a rookie, Stroud also struggled to hit big plays. Injuries to Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs played a part, but Stroud collapsed down field. After challenging for the league lead with 66 20-plus yard completions in 2023, Stroud saw that number fall to 42 in 2024. That was despite making two more starts. As was the case his rookie year, Stroud often felt held back by OC Bobby Slowik's play-calling, but it's difficult for an outsider to know just how much of that was a coordinator protecting his quarterback. All of this, of course, buries the lede that this is still a young QB who has now piloted at least one playoff victory each of his first two seasons. Stroud did not collapse as a sophomore. He just needs to rediscover his momentum heading into 2025.

As was the case all season long, Collins was a rare Texan who was never part of the problem on Saturday. Of course, it was a big problem when Collins missed Weeks 6-10 with a hamstring injury. The 25-year-old now has a concerning history of lower-body muscle issues. Then again, not even that could stop him from surpassing 1,000 yards in only 12 games played. Collins confirmed his 2023 was every bit a genuine breakout and the furthest thing from a fluke. A 6-foot-4 sideline dominator in an era of tiny YAC merchants, Collins can also do major damage over the middle of the field. He is unquestionably one of the league's 4-5 best wideouts. Now he just needs to figure out how to keep his leg muscles healthy.

Texans WR Robert Woods (hip) is listed as questionable for Saturday's Divisional Round game vs. the Chiefs. He didn't practice all week. Woods played 51% of the offensive snaps for an injury-riddled Texans WR corps in the Wild Card win over the Chargers. His absence would force WR Xavier Hutchinson and potentially WR Jared Wayne into more snaps against Kansas City. WR Nico Collins, TE Dalton Schultz, and WR John Metchie project as the top three targets.