The Houston Texas went all in on the passing game for 2016. They signed quarterback Brock Osweiler to a $72 million deal, gambling that the former Peyton Manning understudy can build upon his promising work last year. And, to ensure that All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins isn’t triple teamed, Houston rolled the dice in the first round of the draft on perhaps the most explosive player available: wideout Will Fuller.
Fuller toasted defensive backs regularly at Notre Dame, finishing his college career with the second most TDs ever among Gold Domer receivers. And after posting the best 40 time at the NFL combine (4.32), Will has thrilled Texans fans with his turbo speed by ranking 14th in receiving yards. He’s actually averaging more yards per reception in the pros than he did in college, and is on pace for one of the more prolific rookie seasons ever for a wideout.
That’s not to say Fuller is a finished product, though. The occasional drops and sloppy route running that tempered NFL scouts’ enthusiasm remain, and Fuller has hauled in less than half of passes thrown his way. He’s sort of like an all-or-nothing hitter, either belting majestic homers or whiffing entirely. If he can round out those aspects of his game, however, Fuller and Hopkins could emerge as an uncoverable one-two punch.
