Keke Coutee’s fantasy value may seem hard to label after an up-and-down rookie season. After missing Houston’s first 3 games with a hamstring injury, Coutee burst on the scene in Week 4, turning 15 targets (gasp) into 11 catches for 109 yards — the receptions set an NFL rookie record. He caught his first career TD the following week, then mixed in some solid showings and some more injury trouble before missing the final 5 weeks of the regular season. He then returned for Houston’s playoff loss to the Colts and almost perfectly mirrored his career debut, turning 14 targets into 11 receptions for 110 yards and a TD. With the release of Demaryius Thomas, Coutee’s “Usage” and thus fantasy value should both rise and steady out, assuming his health cooperates.
Indeed, fantasy owners typically have little patience for guys who can’t stay on the field. Still, Coutee didn’t miss a single game in his final 2 college seasons, indicating that his hamstring troubles in 2018 may have been a fluke. Coutee was very candid about his injury struggles in an interview last month, calling the ordeal “the hardest thing [he’s] been through in [his] life.” But he indicated he feels good heading into year 2.
“I’m feeling great. I’m feeling really good. I’m feeling like myself… The hamstring is good. I’m still resting a little bit. I’m going to start back training soon, but it’s 100 percent.”
We can only hope. Few receivers garner 14 and 15 targets out of nowhere, as it requires significant individual talent, in addition to trust from the QB and play-caller. Coutee was a bonafide terror and chainmover in the short-to-intermediate range out of the slot when healthy, with Deshaun Watson constantly looking his way on 3rd downs. Sure, he‘s currently third on Houston’s WR depth chart, but considering Will Fuller V‘s own injury history, Coutee could very well be starting opposite DeAndre Hopkins when Week 1 rolls around. He’s currently at WR39 on The Wolf’s Big Board, with our guy touting him as arguably his favorite penny stock for 2019.
