Riding a five-game winning streak and loading up for the second half of the season without Will Fuller V, the Texans fortified their offense by trading for Demaryius Thomas of the Broncos. The trade, contingent on Thomas passing a physical, is the biggest in-season acquisition in franchise history.
You've watched Thomas play.
A lot.
He's in his ninth year and has faced the Texans three times (he missed the 2010 meeting at Mile High). You've seen him catch passes from Peyton Manning in two Super Bowls. He also caught an 80-yard game winner from Tim Tebow in the 2011 playoffs.
He's an accomplished playmaker who put up ridiculous numbers in four glorious seasons with Manning, averaging over 1,400 yards, 100 catches and 10 touchdowns per year. He's a two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler, making it for the fifth time when Trevor Siemian took over as starter in 2016.
Thomas came out of college with a sub 4.4 40 yard dash time and a bigger frame than Andre Johnson. He's in his ninth year but has plenty of tread left on the tires. This is not just a Will Fuller V replacement. Thomas is a weapon who will give Bill O'Brien and Deshaun Watson plenty of exciting options offensively.
More importantly, opposing defensive coordinators now have to deal with yet another playmaker who can heavily influence coverage and open things up for DeAndre Hopkins.
This trade should not just be looked at as getting a wide receiver in a vacuum. He will fit in nicely with the other pass catchers the Texans currently employ. And he will likely enjoy playing with a dynamic, mobile quarterback who extends plays and looks to throw the ball deep.
Thomas was a favorite of the fans and quarterbacks in Denver. But John Elway made it clear he wants to play the young receivers. He leaves the Broncos in second and third place in franchise history in yards and receptions, respectively.
There's really nothing to compare this to in the history of the Texans. They've never gone to a top-shelf trade option during a season when a player goes down. Sure, different quarterbacks have been brought in when injuries hit that position. I also think back to 2009 when Owen Daniels got hurt in week eight as the team climbed to 5-3. Or even Demeco Ryans in week six of 2010. There were no deals like this. But rarely are players the caliber of Thomas available.
O'Brien and Brian Gaine talked about alignment and their goals in the off season and now it's clear that they feel they need a boost to the receiver corps to get to where they want to go. Now it's up to the coaching staff and the players to get Thomas meshed into the attack as quickly as possible.
Check out some of the best shots from WR Demaryius Thomas' NFL career. Photos via AP Images.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas smiles as he runs on the field during an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas reacts after making a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) stretches prior to an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) crosses the goal line for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the game in overtime of an NFL wild card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) is hit by Oakland Raiders linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos' Demaryius Thomas (88) catches a pass in front of New York Jets' Darryl Roberts (27) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. Thomas scored a touchdown on the play. The Jets won 34-16. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) scores a touchdown as Los Angeles Rams strong safety John Johnson (43) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts strong safety Matthias Farley (41) and cornerback Quincy Wilson (31) during the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) in action against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) runs after the catch against the New York Jets during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
Denver Broncos' Demaryius Thomas (88) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles' Patrick Robinson (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Kendall Fuller (23) pulls down Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) after the catch during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
File- This Nov. 12, 2017, file photo shows Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) running after the catch against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game in Denver. Thomas isn't really into numbers, but he knows he's 108 yards shy of reaching 1,000 receiving yards for the sixth straight season. "Everybody telling me" is how he keeps track, he said. "Last week I knew it was 160 because I found out in the meeting. Of course I'm going to remember. I was never a number guy, but hey, that's a cool thing to know." (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) stretches before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas reacts after hauling in a touchdown pass in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) celebrates with teammate Wes Welker after his second touchdown reception against the San Diego Chargers in a NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) signals first down after the catch against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) lines up against Houston Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) celebrates during an NFL football game against the New York Jets on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Denver. (NFL Photos via AP)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) pulls in a catch as San Diego Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward (26) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) gestures during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) stretches over the goal line to score against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
