The Texans have too many wide receivers to count heading into their first preseason game against the Bears on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints could be looking to upgrade at pass-catcher before Week 1 rolls around. And given previous interactions between Texans general manager Nick Caserio and Saints GM Mickey Loomis, a deal between the two sides should never be off the table.
On a #Texans team filled with talented wide receivers, Noah Brown is one of them. Fully recovered from torn labrum suffered in playoffs against Browns, he caught 33 passes for 567 yards and two touchdowns last season as he averaged 17.2 yards per reception @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/HLHHxs2N19
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 23, 2024
So, could Noah Brown be headed to the Superdome before the final roster cuts? According to Bleacher Report, both sides should agree to a trade surrounding Brown in the coming weeks.
“Noah Brown is coming off an underrated season in Houston,” Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine writes. “While he was overshadowed by Tank Dell and Nico Collins, he did contribute 33 receptions for 567 yards and two touchdowns. Brown excels with the ball in his hands and had the fourth-highest YAC score from ESPN Analytics’ receiver tracking stats. He was also one of the more efficient receivers in the league, averaging 10.3 yards per target and was fourth in yards per reception. Unfortunately for him, the Texans are going to have a hard time utilizing him. Stefon Diggs arrival, combined with a healthy Dell and Collins returning on a new contract will minimize his role. He could be a much bigger part of the Saints offense.”
The Saints would send Houston a 2025 sixth-round pick in return for the veteran receiver. Houston could use that to recoup a pick lost in the Joe Mixon trade earlier this offseason.
New Orleans is currently relying on third-year receiver Chris Olave to carry the load as Derek Carr’s No. 1 threat. Rashid Shaheed should take the spot of Michael Thomas as New Orleans’ No. 2 option, but there’s little behind the duo.
Noah Brown vs. Troy Pride #Texans pic.twitter.com/D6F4tp1LOj
— Jon Poorman (@JonPoorman) July 27, 2024
Brown, 28, could serve as the No. 3 option in hopes of securing an NFC South division title. Currently, he’s competing for significant reps in Houston alongside John Metchie, though he might have a better chance for an expanded role elsewhere now that Stefon Diggs has taken over in the starting lineup.
Last season, Brown finished with a career-high 567 receiving yards, along with 33 catches in 10 games. He’s proven to be a standout option whenever on the field, but his playing time could decrease if Metchie continues to shine in practice.
If the Texans chose not to move off Brown, they could move Robert Woods, who still has another year of control on his contract. Entering the weekend, those two feel like tradeable options, mostly since neither is known for their success on special teams.
