Houston Texans Meet NFL Draft Target, Brother of Superstar Christian McCaffrey

If the Houston Texans bank on bonafide NFL bloodlines, they may find their next weapon in Rice receiver Luke McCaffrey.

Dec 26, 2023; Dallas, TX, USA; Rice Owls wide receiver Luke McCaffrey (10) runs with the ball / Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Texans are looking for additional upgrades to a passing attack that is on track to be one of the best in the sport. Their pursuit may take them to the NFL Draft.

Chances at drafting one of the second-tier receivers in this year’s class were diminished by trading out of the first round, but opportunities will be plentiful to add a pass catcher on the draft’s second and third days.

One potential Texans target is Rice receiver Luke McCaffrey.

Dec 26, 2023; Dallas, TX, USA; Rice Owls wide receiver Luke McCaffrey (10) runs with the ball / Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

McCaffrey’s brother, Christian, is an elite running back known for his ability to make plays both as a runner and receiver. Many of those skills are evident in the younger McCaffrey’s game.

Of course, it would be ambitious (and unfair) to put the lofty expectations of his Canton-bound brother onto him, but he’ll find a role in an NFL offense.

McCaffrey has quick feet and an athletic profile that lends itself to making plays as a ball carrier. His 4.46-second 40-yard dash is backed by elite agility metrics (6.7-second three-cone). At the next level, he projects as a slot receiver thanks to his lateral agility, toughness over the middle of the field, and ability to create chunk plays after the catch.

The runway to his development may be lucrative, too. He spent the first three seasons of his five-year college career as a quarterback — a history that makes itself known with flashes of nuance beyond his receiving experience.

Like many slot-bound targets, McCaffrey can struggle against press coverage, and he also still has some work to do as a route runner. Even so, there’s reason to believe he could see snaps early and find success while doing so.

Allowing receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell to create explosives on the boundary — while adding a more athletic option inside — could be the type of acquisition necessary to take Houston’s offense to the next level.

The Texans held a visit with the local receiver on Monday, per Aaron Wilson.

As for his draft stock, McCaffrey told Wilson that he won’t spend too much time worrying about it.

“I’ve heard everything,” McCaffrey said. “I’ve heard literally every single round from the second to undrafted and so I don’t like to speculate on that. I’m living in the moment right now.”