The Houston Texans shook up their roster on Monday, adding young veteran wide receiver Juwann Winfree to an already-deep group of pass-catchers. However, who they opted against signing could prove even more noteworthy in the end.
According to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson on August 18, the Texans worked out two receivers: Winfree, who they signed, and 2023 Super Bowl champion Cornell Powell.
Powell was a fifth-round selection by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2021 draft.
He has not suited up in the regular season since 2022, but spent the 2024 season on the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad. Winfree, a sixth-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2019, has spent time with the Green Bay Packers and the Texans’ AFC South rival Indianapolis Colts.
“LGGG [triumphant emoji],” Winfree posted on X on August 18, sharing his agent, Mike McCartney’s message congratulating him on the deal with the Texans.
Winfree, who turns 29 in September, has caught nine passes for 75 yards in his career, drawing one start in 23 games played.
Winfree faces a steep climb to make the Texans’ final 53-man roster.
Juwann Winfree Joins Crowded Texans WR Room
GettyJuwann Winfree #9 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on before the game against the Carolina Panthers.
The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander projected the Texans would keep seven wideouts before Winfree’s addition.
Alexander projected Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins, and Nico Collins as the Texans’ starters with Braxton Berrios, Jaylin Noel, Justin Watson, and Xavier Hutchinson on hand as depth options. Daniel Jackson, Quintez Cephus, and Xavier Johnson are cut candidates.
Jackson and Johnson could be practice squad candidates.
“Do you keep six receivers or seven? The trade of John Metchie to the Eagles eased the crowd at this position, but it still doesn’t make the decision any easier,” Alexander wrote on August 18. Berrios makes it because he could become their primary return man. Watson had a solid preseason game against the Panthers, and plays on the special teams unit, which should help his case. I think the Texans also keep seven receivers because they know several teams like the 49ers are desperate for a receivers.”
That depth could make Winfree more of a last one in, first one out option amid other, more established players on the Texans’ roster.
Texans Projected to Cut Super Bowl Champion
GettyTremon Smith #11 of the Houston Texans looks on against the Minnesota Vikings.
As if choosing Winfree over one Super Bowl champ was not enough, Alexander projected the Texans would make a similar decision about another player already on the roster.
Alexander projected the Texans will keep starters Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter, rookie Jaylin Smith, and special teams ace D’Angelo Ross. Former Las Vegas Raiders first-round pick Damon Arnette is a cut candidate, but also an option for the practice squad.
Tremon Smith was not as fortunate in Alexander’s forecast.
“It came down to Ross and Arnette for the final spot,” Alexander wrote, projecting the Texans will roster four perimeter CBs. “Ross won out because he’s an important special teams player, who plays their gunner role. But Arnette should make the Texans’ practice squad and could become a guy they call up on gameday.”
Smith, a member of the Chiefs’ 2019 Super Bowl-winning team, is in his second stint with the Texans, having spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons in Houston.
He joins a deep group of defensive backs – that also includes nickelback options like versatile safety Jalen Pitre – and will have to avoid being a casualty of the Texans’ numbers game just as Winfree will.
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