NFL: Selecting the best player in each franchise’s history

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Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. The Texans defeated the Jaguars 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Texans – Andre Johnson

The answer in this space three to five years from now will almost certainly be J.J. Watt. Houston’s mammoth defensive lineman is arguably the best player in football right now, and he is certainly the best and most explosive player on the defensive side of the ball. Still, Watt doesn’t quite have the longevity to get the nod, and given Houston’s lack of history Andre Johnson is the proper choice.

Johnson is now on another team for the first time in his career, but the former University of Miami star played 12 seasons in Houston and was one of the best wide receivers in the league for the duration. He is second among active players in receptions (1,012) and receiving yards (13,597), and that places him among the top-12 of all-time in both categories. A lack of touchdowns (61 in his career) has always been the knock on Johnson, but considering the disastrous quarterback play he has lived through (all the way from David Carr to the present), some of that concern must be mitigated.

The Texans haven’t been good very often, and that has also hurt Andre Johnson in the public sphere. However, his numbers are worthy of Hall of Fame inclusion even if he were to never foot on another NFL field.

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