Most draft analysts expect the Texans to take a wide receiver with the 27th overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft on Thursday evening.
The best receiver in franchise history would be happy with that.
"I'm always hoping for a wide receiver, but our coaches and our general manager (Rick Smith) have been doing a great job bringing players in," Andre Johnson said on Saturday morning at his annual youth football camp. "Everybody they've brought in has made a very big impact on our team. They do a great job. Like I said, I hope we get a wide receiver, but that's not my decision. That's not my call."
Johnson told John McClain of the Houston Chronicle on Saturday that he's "asked (for a wide receiver) for awhile," adding, "the more weapons we have, the better it'll be for the team." The six-time Pro Bowler is coming off a career-high 1,598 receiving yards but turns 32 in July, and the Texans released longtime starter Kevin Walter in March.
The Texans have not drafted a wide receiver in the first round since Johnson, 10 years ago in 2003. Their highest-drafted receivers since then have been DeVier Posey (third round, 2012), Jacoby Jones (third, 2007), Jerome Mathis (fourth, 2005) and Keshawn Martin (fourth, 2012).
Clemson's DeAndre Hopkins, USC's Robert Woods and Tennessee's Justin Hunter are among the wide receivers who could be available for the Texans at the end of the first round on Thursday.
"If we're able to add another guy, it would probably be the best group of receivers we've had since I've been here," Johnson said, according to McClain. "Adding another guy (to go with) Posey, Lestar (Jean) and Keshawn — that's a lot of talent. Not only would it be good for now, but it would be good for our future."
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