After Keke Coutee’s NFL debut in Week 4 last season, the Houston Texans were hopeful they’d finally found their slot receiver.
In the Texans’ overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts, Coutee caught 11 passes for 109 yards. Those 11 receptions were the most by a receiver making his NFL debut since 1970. But because of hamstring injuries, Coutee played in just five more regular-season games and caught 17 passes the rest of the way.
This offseason, he's making sure to provide more than just a taste of what he can bring to the field. Quarterback Deshaun Watson has taken notice.
“He’s playing a lot faster and he’s out there helping all the young receivers get lined up and telling them what to do,” Watson said per Sarah Barshop of ESPN. “You can tell that anytime he’s on the field, you just try to get him the ball in space and let him go work. You never know what he’s going to do with the ball in his hands. He can do all types of stuff. He’s a guy that the defense has to worry about.”
Wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller haven’t been on the field for the Texans during organized team activities, so it's been a prime opportunity for Coutee to develop his connection with Watson and the team's other pass catchers.
Fuller missed nine games last year and is expected back for the start of the year after rehabbing his torn ACL. Assuming Fuller makes a full recovery, Watson could have the most receiving talent at his disposal this year he's ever had.
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