Houston Texans Depth Chart
- AFC South
- Stadium
- NRG Stadium
- Head Coach
- Romeo Crennel/Interim
- Offensive Coordinator
- Tim Kelly
- Defensive Coordinator
- Anthony Weaver
- Special Teams Coach
- Brad Seely
- Defensive Scheme
- 3-4
Houston Texans tight end Jordan Akins had his best game of the season in a win over the Patriots last week, hauling in five of six targets for 83 receiving yards. Akins seemed to separate himself a bit from Darren Fells and Pharaoh Brown last week, though he's still not a given to produce in this matchup against the Lions. To make matters worse, the Lions have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to tight ends. It might be tempting to turn to Akins as a streamer, but it's a bit too risky at the moment. He's in the TE2 range, though he's more touchdown-dependent than fantasy managers would like.
Houston Texans wide receiver Keke Coutee stepped up in the absence of receivers Randall Cobb (toe) and Kenny Stills (quadriceps), who both had to leave last week's contest. Coutee hauled in a touchdown in the win over New England. Coutee has seen at least seven targets five times in his career and has exceeded 50 receiving yards each time. The Lions' secondary is poor, but they could devote extra resources to stopping Will Fuller V and Brandin Cooks, leaving the slot open to Coutee. The floor is very low for Coutee, but the ceiling could be through the roof in this great matchup.
Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks faces a great matchup on Thanksgiving against the Lions. Aside from the wet, windy contest in Cleveland, Cooks has exceeded 60 receiving yards in five of six games with three touchdowns. Those are good enough numbers to view the former Ram as a weekly starter, especially with the Lions' 25th-ranked pass defense on tap. Look for Cooks to break loose for a big play against a Detroit defense that has struggled to contain such plays this season. Cooks is a strong WR2 in Week 12.
Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller V has a great matchup on tap against the Lions. Having already set a new career-high in receiving yards, Fuller will set his sights on a Lions' defense that ranks 25th in the NFL in pass defense. They've also been prone to big plays through the air, which should benefit the 26-year old speedster on Thanksgiving day. Fuller is ranked in the WR2 range, though the upside for a WR1 finish is there this week.
Houston Texans running back Duke Johnson has largely been ineffective as the team's starter in place of the injured David Johnson (head). Duke Johnson has averaged nearly 16 touches per game but has failed to eclipse 70 scrimmage yards in two of three contests as the starter. The Lions possess the third-worst run defense in the league and have allowed the most fantasy points per game to running backs. Johnson is hard to trust after his subpar efforts, though his RB2-level workload and dream matchup makes him worth going back to on Thanksgiving day. He's ideal as a flex play, though he does have RB2 upside in this matchup.