The Texans WRs When Andre Johnson Returns (1 Viewer)

[packersfan]

Before getting hurt Andre Johnson was the Houston WR corps. Nobody else was even a glimmer in a fantasy owner's eye (well outside of Jacoby Jones in Keeper and Dynasty leagues). But since getting injured, the Texans have discovered a pair of legitimate producers at the position - Kevin Walker and Andre Davis. So what happens when Johnson returns - likely in Week 11?

Walter opened the season as the starter opposite Johnson, rotating with Jones at the position. Davis took over as the other starter when Johnson was hurt and immediately made an impact, showing an ability to get downfield and make big plays. Walter has been slower to come along but in recent games he has exploded, showing good hands and also a surprising ability to get downfield as well. Both have been huge options in the passing game for Matt Schaub and Sage Rosenfels.

When Johnson returns he'll be the top guy obviously. Walter will likely remain in the starting lineup with Davis moving to the No. 3 role - perhaps rotating there with Jones if the rookie gets healthy and shows improvement. But has Walter and to a lesser extent Davis shown enough that the Texans won't lean so heavily on Johnson or need to in order for their passing game to succeed? It seems as if Walter could retain some value in PPR leagues given how he's shown to be a good target in the passing game. He looks like he could remain a solid WR3 in PPR leagues at worst. Davis would probably be the one to take the biggest hit since he'd go from the starter to No. 3. The question is: Will the Texans start involving more WRs or trying to or will they go back to throwing exclusively to Johnson? One would think the emergence of these WRs would be viewed as a positive for both Johnson and the offense. Perhaps Johnson now has some WRs to take some pressure off him and perhaps the offense can be opened up more if there is more to the passing game than just Andre Johnson.

What does everyone think? Texans homers I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts especially.

 

[Houston turmOiler]

DISCLAIMER: HOMER OPINION

From what I've seen the coaching staff really seems to like Walter. I've heard Kubiak compare him to Ed McCaffrey in several interviews. I think he keeps the job at the Z receiver for awhile because he looks like he's getting better each week and Schaub looks like he's developing a little bit of a chemistry with him. Jones has been working at the same spot as Walter but I think the injury set him back a little bit. It's going to take him a while to work himself back in the mix and earn the same confidence from Schaub. They were neck and neck in camp but the circumstances have changed significantly. I don't think Jones will mount a challenge to Walter for the starting spot until training camp next season at the earliest.

Davis has been playing Johnson's X position. As well as he's played, there's no question he's outta there when AJ gets back. Still, it would appear he's earned some playing time. His fantasy value takes a big hit when AJ's back but I'd expect him to be the #3 at first. He'll have to fight off Jones to keep that spot, and there might be certain packages where you could see one or the other as the #3. This might mean Jones gets a lot of kick and punt return opportunities as well. Makes sense if he's the #3/4, especially with Mathis out for the year. I don't think Davis will challenge Walter, but that's just my opinion.

In summary, I think Walter pretty much keeps his value. Rod Smith and McCaffrey were both very productive for several years in the Denver offense, so I think there's room for both WR spots to be producers. Of course, the #3 was virtually non-existant in those years. Even though Denver had a good running game (and ours totally sucks) Davis loses a lot of his value, and Jones is a guy to keep an eye on long-term (but probably not this season).