Cecil Shorts (WR, HOU) - Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: Nate Washington had a heck of a game on Sunday against the Dolphins as he racked up garbage time stats. This may totally overshadow what Cecil Shorts has done to date. He missed the Week 7 game with a hamstring injury, but when he’s been on the field he is averaging nine targets a game. That’ll do.

While Washington’s game will earn him more looks moving forward, the fact of the matter is that the Texans just lost their superstar running back in Arian Foster, don’t have a tight end, and will probably run plenty of three wide sets. Shorts and Washington were able to co-exist and get plenty of targets in the first three weeks when both of them were healthy, and that should continue. While Shorts only has one touchdown so far this year (it’s difficult getting red zone looks when DeAndre Hopkins is on the field), there is still something to be said for a wide receiver who can approach ten targets a game. While Brian Hoyer targets aren’t exactly the highest quality of opportunity, Shorts’ worst game was a six reception 34 yard effort, and if you’re in PPR leagues then that game still gave you 9.4 points.

The Texans don’t look as though they’re going to be able to have many chances to move the ball through the running game, which means those wide receivers are going to get work. A Week 8 date with the Titans is on the horizon, and then the Texans have their bye week. If you can’t hold Shorts through the bye, don’t sweat it, but make sure you keep tabs on him.