DeAndre Hopkins has proven that he is a top five wide receiver in the NFL. However, the rest of the receiving is sorely lacking his production.
Last season, Nate Washington, Cecil Shorts and Jaelen Strong failed to compliment Hopkins. This trio caught less passes total (103) than Hopkins did all season (111). Also, their catch-to-target ratio wasn’t solid 
either. They caught 103-of-193 targets, while Hopkins caught 111-of-192. People are looking for answers as to why a mostly veteran group couldn’t succeed opposite a marquee receiver. With the addition of Brock Osweiler, this receiving corp could be special under the strong armed quarterback.
The key to rest of the receivers succeeding hinges on second-year wide out Jaelen Strong. Washington is in his 11th year in the league and is just a Band-Aid until someone is ready to take over. Washington has 458 catches for 6,954 yards and 44 touchdowns in his illustrious career. Unfortunately, he’s just not what he used to be, as evident by his 47-to-94 catch-to-target ratio in 2015.
Cecil Shorts is a nice complimentary receiver, but isn’t a number two wide out. It’s the reason Jacksonville let him walk in the first place. Shorts did miss some time due to injury this season. But, he compiled his worst season since his rookie year. He caught just 42 passes for 484 yards.
Strong has the highest ceiling of the three. Houston’s 2015 third round pick has number one wide out size at 6’3” and 215 pounds. He struggled to get on the field and produce in his rookie year catching just 14 passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games.
His size along with Hopkins size would make a formidable 1-2 punch out wide. Shorts and Washington could move inside and make nice compliments for Osweiler.
-HST Correspondent Collin Wieder
(Stats courtesy of Pro-Football Reference)
