Some expected Xavier Hutchinson to make the Houston Texans active 53-man roster following an impressive preseason.
Most figured a fully healthy John Metchie III would have one more chance to prove his potential as Houston’s long-term No. 3 target.
And the biggest shocker during Tuesday’s roster cutdowns was the release of veteran Noah Brown. Injuries aside, Houston wouldn’t have clinched its first division title since 2019 without the former Cowboys standout.
But as rosters were being finalized among media outlets entering cutdown days, veteran Robert Woods’ name was consistently left off. Many expected after the addition of four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs, Houston would field offers for a player pushed down the depth chart.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans never viewed Woods as someone flying under the radar.
“He’s been consistent all throughout camp,” Ryans said following roster cutdowns. “He’s been the same guy he’s been his entire career. Tough, dependable, smart guy you can count on each and every day. [The] guy shows up to work every day, works hard, he’s a great mentor to our younger guys. And Rob is a true leader of this team.”
DeMeco reminds us that Robert Woods is “consistent” & that “he didn’t fly under the radar to him”
A lot of us (me included) fixated on his contract, which was moved past after the spring as Caserio said this AM
He was a reliable target for CJ last year, especially early on pic.twitter.com/sb5uSF9IqI
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) August 28, 2024
Woods, who enters the final year of his two-year, $15 million deal, won’t be C.J. Stroud’s No. 3 target. That role belongs to either Diggs, Tank Dell or Nico Collins depending on the matchup.
Collins, who last season took over as Houston’s top target, won’t be leaving anytime soon after inking a three-year extension. Dell, a third-round pick of the University of Houston, might be poised for another breakout season after recovering from a broken fibula.
Everyone knows what Diggs brings to the offense. He was Josh Allen’s go-to option in the aerial attack for four seasons in Buffalo, helping the Bills reach four postseason appearances while also totaling at least 101 receptions per campaign.
Yet Woods offers position flexibility. He’s lined up in place of Woods, Diggs and Collins while running drills with the first-team offense. The 32-year-old also is consistent in the open field, rarely dropping passes while creating open avenues after the catch.
“I like to call him the OG in the room, because he is kind of the OG,” Hutchinson said. “But just like past his age and everything like that, just his presence, he’s comfortable in any situation. You can really bounce anything off of him. He’s there, he listens.”
Woods, who in 14 games last year caught 40 passes for 426 yards and a touchdown, picked up where he left off in the preseason. He led the Texans against the Pittsburgh Steelers with five catches for 42 yards and totaled four first-down conversions.
You would think Metchie made the team & #Texans would no longer be interested in trading him – but more interested in trading Noah Brown or Robert Woods https://t.co/ikfD9PzD1W
— Patrick Creighton (@PCreighton1) August 26, 2024
Where Woods offers the most upside beyond his flexibility is his leadership. Multiple Texans have pointed to his wisdom being a mainstay in the huddle and off the field.
“He’s just a guy that everyone likes and enjoys to be around,” said Hutchinson. “So, I find it very hard for him not to be in that room and not to be around this team and help us get to where this team wants to get to.”
Woods’ role remains undetermined on the field entering Week 1’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Off it, he’s essential to the success, meaning there’s a home for him in the huddle beyond the Xs and Os.