Dynasty Rookie Spotlight: Will Fuller WR, Houston Texans

Height: 6’0″
Weight: 186 Pounds
Hands: 8 1/4″
Broad Jump: 10’6″
Vertical Jump: 33.5″
40 Time: 4.32

NFL Comparison: John Brown

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Coleman's Pro Day (Spielman, O'Brien), Treadwell's (Spielman, Snead), Doctson's (Spielman, Snead): STL =big WR, HOU =speed WR, MIN =any/all

— RosterWatch (@RosterWatch) April 1, 2016

We’d been telling RosterWatch Nation for some time, that the Texans were going to select a speedster at the receiver position in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. In fact, they got duped by the Redskins traded up in order to do so. We believe Corey Coleman was their guy, but once he was gone – the decision was simple to go with Will Fuller, who ran 4.32 at the NFL Combine.

On tape, Fuller’s small hands manifest in body catches and occasional drops. However, for a slight receiver he’s able to absorb a high volume of targets relatively well. Fuller walks into the Texans offense being able to run crossing routes, the post, the comeback, and the vertical. Those routes project well to Fuller’s rookie year.

Fantasy players should not forget the Texans drafted highly touted WR Jaelen Strong in Round 2 of last year’s draft (our scouting grades on Strong were modest throughout the 2015 NFL Draft process and we were not huge fans of the pick).

Although Strong started the 2015 season in Bill O’Brien’s doghouse due to conditioning issues, he began showing at the end of the season. We aren’t sure Texans brass are sold on Strong yet, but it’s a reminder that the rookie has competition in addition to Cecil Shorts. Fuller does at least inherit a clear-cut role as a coverage buster, as Strong is a big-bodied receiver and Shorts lacks speed. Houston would like to take full advantage of the defensive attention DeAndre Hopkins receives.

We consider Will Fuller a John Brown (Arizona Cardinals) type of prospect with less reliable hands. The jury is obviously still out on Texans new QB Brock Osweiler as a franchise signal-caller, as well. Overall, Fuller should be considered a long-term WR3 w/ some upside for Dynasty Rookie Draft purposes. He’ll be a player to consider if you’re picking at the end of Round 1 and a value if he falls to Round 2.