Summer Sleeper: Houston Texans
With less than a month before all training camps open around the NFL, we’re continuing our annual series focusing on a few sleepers from all 32 teams in the NFL. You can find all of the Summer Sleeper articles here.
When it comes to the Texans’ roster, there are many options to consider as a potential “Summer Sleeper.” Tom Savage, Ryan Griffin and C.J. Fiedorowicz all could carve out roles in Houston’s offense this year and were considered to be featured in this space but instead, let’s highlight a player who many have written off for many reasons and most would absolutely consider to be a sleeper.
[am4show have=’p2;p3;p4;p5;p6;’ guest_error=’sub_message’ user_error=’sub_message’ ]
DeVier Posey, WR
I believe Posey is worth a roster spot in dynasty leagues (especially those with deep rosters) and could contribute to fantasy teams as early as 2014.
Now I realize that last sentence may be a stretch for some to believe. After all, there are countless reasons to no longer consider Posey a dynasty sleeper. The fact he’s been in the league for two years and played more games (24) than he’s caught passes (21) is probably the most convincing argument. The Achilles tear he suffered in the divisional round of the 2012 playoffs against the Patriots is another reason most dynasty owners have avoided the former Buckeye. When you add those reasons to a Texans offense with new head coach Bill O’Brien that is expected to feature a very run heavy game plan and very little need for a third wide receiver behind Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins, there’s even less reason to be optimistic – right?
Maybe not!
Posey was never a superstar while at Ohio State where he had two 50-plus catch seasons, but failed to record 1,000 yards in either. Coming out of college he was considered by many scouts as an unpolished prospect with the potential to become a quality number two receiver option and Houston agreed. They selected Posey early in the third round with the hopes of pairing him with Johnson as a quality one-two punch but it never materialized. Now with Hopkins taking over as the number two, Posey has a chance to fill a different need for the Texans – in the slot.
Many fantasy owners look at Posey’s situation in Houston as a negative, but that may not be the case. When the Texans’ front office decided to let former coach Gary Kubiak leave town, it was nothing but good news for Posey, who seemed to be in Kubiak’s dog house from the moment he arrived at rookie minicamp. While it’s certainly too early to jump to any conclusions, word out of Houston indicates new Head Coach Bill O’Brien is happy with Posey’s skills in the slot and is excited to see how he can contribute to the Texans’ offense.
Another thing to consider when considering the situation Posey finds himself in is the depth chart in Houston. While it’s not ideal Posey will play second (or third) fiddle to a future Hall of Famer and last year’s first round pick, it’s not the worst place to be either. He’ll be competing with the likes of Keshawn Martin, Mike Thomas and Alan Bonner among others for playing time this fall and is easily the most talented among the group. As long as he can hold them all off and keep O’Brien’s trust to be an effective slot man, he should consistently face single coverage and line up across from the weakest cover man the opposition has to offer.
Those with a “glass half empty” approach to Posey’s prospects as a fantasy asset are quick to point out that Ryan Fitzpatrick will be his quarterback. While it’s true that he’s limited as a passer, he’s also only a year and a half removed from his third consecutive 3,000 yard, 23-plus touchdown season and most likely would have done the same last year in Tennessee had he not held the clipboard for Jake Locker for more than five games. Fitzpatrick isn’t a top starter by any stretch of the imagination, but he’s proven to be reliable when it comes to distributing the ball to the open receiver.
Most of the news out of Houston recently has focused on the holdout by Johnson, who reportedly wants to be traded and has said he has no plans to report to training camp. That absolutely isn’t good news for Texans fans (or those that own Johnson in fantasy leagues), but it would do nothing but give Posey more opportunities to work with Fitzpatrick and the rest of the Texans’ offense –which is exactly what he needs.
Overall, Posey is still a bit of an unknown. During his rookie season he wasn’t given the chance to contribute until late in the year and the post season but showed flashes of his potential as a playmaker which included a highlight touchdown catch against the Patriots in the divisional round of the playoffs. Of course he tore his Achilles later in that game which severely limited his ability to contribute as a sophomore in 2013. Now a full year removed from the injury and with a fresh start with a new coaching staff, Posey has the opportunity to contribute for the first time in his career.
Even with all this said, it should be mentioned Posey is by no means a must own in dynasty leagues. Those leagues with less than 25 offensive roster spots or 12 teams probably don’t have space for him on a roster as evidenced by him currently going undrafted in 20 round startups according to ADP data put together by DLF’s own Ryan McDowell.
In conclusion, all the naysayers are absolutely correct when they say the quarterback situation in Houston isn’t ideal and Posey’s third on the depth chart in a run first offense, but it’s also very true that Posey entered the league as a very intriguing prospect with upside as a field stretching pass catcher that runs quality routes and has above average hands which still holds true today.
Dynasty owners looking for a true “Summer Sleeper” in the late rounds of a relatively deep startup draft or even on the waiver wire could do worse than Posey. At the very least, he’s worth monitoring throughout training camp and the preseason.
[/am4show]
- League Tycoon: Dynasty Salary Cap Fantasy Football - December 15, 2023
- Final Dynasty Rookie Report Card: Wide Receivers, Part Two - March 22, 2023
- 2023 NFL Scouting Combine: Offensive Player Dynasty Review - March 10, 2023
