3 Dark Horse Texans WRs Who Could Make 53-Man Roster
3 Dark Horse Texans WRs Who Could Make 53-Man Roster
The Houston Texans wide receiver room has several names to keep an eye on from now until the end of preseason.Jared Koch|
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Houston TexansThe Houston Texans wide receiver depth is shaping up to be some of the stronger points of this year's roster.
While there might not be a defined star target in the room outside of Nico Collins, there's several eye-catching names to watch in the room as those who can step up as both valuable targets for C.J. Stroud, and locks to make the roster.
Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson, and Tank Dell are among that list. Sixth-round rookie Lewis Bond has also made waves early in the offseason that makes him a reasonable bet to make it past cutdown day as well.
But what if the Texans wanted to carry seven wide receivers onto their roster heading into Week One? Houston did just that for the 2025 season, and with a dozen players at the position currently on the 90-man roster, there's a good chance that same outcome happens again this year.
If that is the route that the Texans decide to go, a few candidates in the room will be worth keeping an eye on to make those strides. Let's break down the case for three of those dark horses that could inevitably make the 53-man roster:
Justin Watson
Watson is the longest tenured piece of the Texans' roster on this list, and even made it past the 53-man cut last season. But after an injury-riddled 2025 cut his most recent year short after two games, and now being within a crowded wide receiver room, it'll be a bit of a further uphill battle for Watson to get that same roster spot for 2026.
But there's still a shot for Watson to still find his way into the mix with a strong training camp. He's the most experienced name in the Texans’ wide receiver room, was a reliable piece of the Kansas City Chiefs' offense for three years before signing with Houston in 2025, and was moving well in his reps at OTAs and minicamp that leads you to believe he's fully healthy from his Achilles injury last season.
The Texans may still want to see what they can get out of their free agent signing from a year ago in a fully healthy season. And if that's the case, he's worth keeping an eye on in the weeks ahead as the conversations of roster battles start to ramp up.
Daniel Sobkowicz
Sobkowicz was one of the few Texans UDFAs brought in this offseason that got a lot of love from the jump. And that's for good reason.
He has the standout college production from his time with Illinois State––finishing his 2025 season with 83 receptions, 1,141 yards, and 19 touchdowns, has the 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame of an NFL outside receiver, and while he might not be the quickest guy in the room, does offer great route-running skills and body control that translate well to the next level.
He'll have to have a really impressive training camp to build up some traction to make it past cutdown day. And that's still widely possible. But at the very least, keep a close eye on him as a perfect candidate to make the practice squad.
Jha'Quan Jackson
Jackson was a late addition to the Texans' wide receiver room entering OTAs and minicamp who hasn't played in an NFL game since 2024. However, Houston clearly sees some value in him to warrant handing him a roster spot heading into camp.
The primary reason for that might be the value he presents on special teams. In his one season playing with the Tennessee Titans in 2024, Jackson logged 16 kick returns and 28 punt returns, and could be looking to reclaim a similar role with the Texans. He did have five fumbles that same season, though.
As of now, the Texans are still expected to utilize second-year wide receiver Jaylin Noel as a returner, who was effective in that same role last season. But if Jackson can step up big in camp, and Noel proves to be a valuable weapon offensively that leads to a lesser load on special teams, there's a route for Jackson to find his way onto the 53-man roster.
Published 14 minutes ago
JARED KOCHJared Koch is the Publisher of Houston Texans On SI. He has covered the NFL & NBA with On SI since 2023, and is a graduate of Western Kentucky University.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
