The Texans are taking a look at a wide receiver with some impressive NFL genes.
Houston met with Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, according to KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson, as he prepares for the 2024 NFL draft.
McCaffrey is the younger brother of San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and the son of former Denver Broncos wide receiver Ed McCaffrey. His other brother, Max McCaffrey, is a former NFL wide receiver who's now an offensive assistant with the Miami Dolphins.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound McCaffrey converted to wide receiver in 2022 after he played quarterback at Nebraska and Rice. He caught 71 passes for 992 yards and 13 touchdowns this past season after catching 58 passes for 723 yards and six touchdowns in 2022. McCaffrey also rushed 157 times for 927 yards and seven touchdowns during his collegiate career.
.@RiceFootball @mccaffrey_luke has some amazing tape to study that includes sick one handed catches; running full speed into the lion’s den; and catches everything with a pair of velvety smooth sticky hands. #nfldraft #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/OtyGB417DW
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) March 27, 2024
Luke McCaffrey NFL combine stats
McCaffrey ran a 4.46 40-yard dash time, which ranked 19th among wide receivers. However, his 1.52 10-yard split time ranked tied for fourth at his position.
McCaffrey also recorded a 36-inch vertical leap, a 10-1 broad jump, a 6.7 in the three-cone drill and a 4.02 short shuttle. His three-cone ranked second, his short shuffle ranked first.
Luke McCaffrey draft projection
McCaffrey is expected to be at least a Day 2 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. He's said he's heard "every single round" from the second round all the way to being undrafted.
“I’ve heard everything,” McCaffrey said. "... so I don’t like to speculate on that. I’m living in the moment right now.”
How McCaffrey would fit with Texans
Houston needs a slot receiver in Bobby Slowik's offense. The team almost traded for Keenan Allen before the Chargers traded him to the Bears and reports indicate the Texans want to bring in a third wide receiver alongside Nico Collins and Tank Dell.
McCaffrey fits the mold of a slot receiver after he lined up there 600 times over the past two seasons, per Pro Football Focus. He lined up outside just 238 over that span.
Houston has a lot of Day 2 and Day 3 picks, meaning McCaffrey could easily be a target for the Texans if they believe he can solve their roster hole. The Texans' picks are at Nos. 42 (from the Vikings), 59, 86 (from the Eagles), 123 (from the Browns), 127, 188 (from the Vikings) 238 (from the Saints) and 247.
