Offense Quarterbacks: C.J. Stroud, Davis Mills, Case Keenum, E.J. Perry The Texans likely won’t name Stroud the starter until he actually earns the job. And they also likely won’t be in a rush to put him on the field until he’s ready. But he was one of the most talented players in the draft, and the Texans took him No. 2 overall because he’s their future. The Texans are building their offense around Stroud, not Mills or Keenum. So the expectation is he’ll start Week 1. It’s up to his coaching staff to get him prepared. The Texans kept two quarterbacks on the roster last year until they finally called up Jeff Driskel late in the season. Given Stroud’s youth, Mills’ experience and Keenum’s expected role as mentor, the Texans will likely keep three quarterbacks on the roster. Running backs: Dameon Pierce, Devin Singletary, Mike Boone, Dare Ogunbowale, Gerrid Doaks […] Wide receivers: Nico Collins, Robert Woods, Tank Dell, John Metchie, Noah Brown, Xavier Hutchinson, Amari Rodgers, Steven Sims, Johnny Johnson III, Alex Bachman, Drew Estrada The Texans drafted two wide receivers over the course of two days and are expected to get Metchie back. He was drafted in the second round in 2022 but missed the season after he was diagnosed with leukemia. Earlier in the offseason, the Texans signed Woods, Brown and Sims to go with Collins. So they’ll have a logjam at wide receiver. Collins, Woods, Dell, Metchie and likely Brown should be locks to make the roster. Assuming the Texans keep six receivers, and barring any major injuries, it’ll be an interesting battle in training camp to see who earns the final spot. “They all bring some different things to the table,” Caserio said. “A pretty diverse group. A lot of different body types and different types of skills. We’ll let the competition play itself out.” Tight ends: Dalton Schultz, Teagan Quitoriano, Andrew Beck, Brevin Jordan […] Offensive Linemen Left tackles: Laremy Tunsil, Charlie Heck, Austin Deculus Left guards: Kenyon Green, Jimmy Morrissey, Jarrett Patterson Centers: Juice Scruggs, Scott Quessenbery, Patterson, Morrissey, Michael Dieter Right guards: Shaq Mason, Patterson, Dieter Right tackles: Tytus Howard, Heck, Deculus The Texans went into the offseason knowing they had to improve the offensive line. While Tunsil and Howard held down the two tackle spots, the Texans struggled on the interior. They signed Tunsil to a three-year contract extension and traded for Mason, a veteran guard who was a reliable starter with the Buccaneers and Patriots. Adding a center was the final piece, and the Texans drafted two in Scruggs in the second round and Patterson in the sixth. The Texans still could get a little deeper at both guard spots, which they might address in free agency. Defense Defensive Linemen Ends: Will Anderson Jr., Jonathan Greenard, Jerry Hughes, Chase Winovich, Dylan Horton, Derek Rivers, Demone Harris, Adedayo Odeleye Tackles: Maliek Collins, Sheldon Rankins, Hassan Ridgeway, Roy Lopez, Thomas Booker IV, Kurt Hinish, Taylor Stallworth The two position groups Ryans said he wanted to address were offensive line and defensive line. He had to. The Texans were the NFL's worst team at stopping the run in 2022. They allowed 170.2 yards rushing per game. The Bears, the second-worst team, allowed 157.3. When the Texans traded up from No. 12 to No. 3 to get Anderson, they showed they are ready to accelerate the rebuild. As with Stroud on offense, Anderson gives the Texans an instant impact player on the defensive side of the ball and someone many say was the most talented player in the draft. The Alabama product had 17.5 sacks in 2021 and twice won the Bronko Nagurski Award, given to the nation’s best defensive player. Adding Rankins at defensive tackle in free agency also made them better. And Ridgeway gives them solid depth. The Texans have improved most on their defensive line this offseason. Linebackers Weak side: Christian Harris, Blake Cashman, Jake Hansen, Garrett Wallow Middle: Denzel Perryman, Christian Kirksey, Henry To’oTo’o Strong side: Corey Littleton, Cashman, Wallow The Texans added a lot of depth in free agency with the addition of proven veterans Littleton and Perryman, who could both become starters. Perryman led the NFL in tackles in 2021 and was a Pro Bowl starter. But he has a history of injuries. To’oTo’o provides depth and can play special teams, too. He said he had no idea the Texans were picking him. Despite his connection with Ryans — they both played at Alabama — he said he didn’t have much communication with the Texans staff during the predraft process, but he’s glad they picked him so he could play with former Bama teammates Harris and Anderson. Defensive backs Cornerbacks: Derek Stingley Jr., Steven Nelson, Kendall Sheffield, Jacobi Francis, Grayland Arnold, D’Angelo Ross, Ka’dar Hollman Nickels: Desmond King II, Tavierre Thomas Safeties: Jalen Pitre, Jimmie Ward, Eric Murray, Brandon Hill Cornerback was a position of need the Texans didn’t address in the draft but could be something they look at with undrafted players or in free agency. Nelson is entering the final year of his contract and wants to a new one. Though he’s a solid player, the odds of his getting one are not in his favor at age 30. Thomas is also on a one-year deal, and King is entering the final year of his contract. The Texans might be going heavy at cornerback in the 2024 draft. But for now, it’s one of their deepest positions. Stingley should improve as a lockdown corner, and Nelson should hold down the No. 2 spot. At safety, Ward gives them experience and someone who knows how to play in Ryans’ system. Though it’s not his preferred position, Ward can also play nickel corner, if needed. The Texans' final pick of the seventh round was Hill, whom Caserio described as “fast, tough, explosive and urgent.” “Kind of hell on wheels,” Caserio said. “Guy has a really good playing style. Plays closer to the line of scrimmage.” Special teams Kicker: Kai’imi Fairbairn Punter: Cameron Johnston Long snapper: Jon Weeks Kick returner: Tank Dell Punt returners: Desmond King II, Dell Special teams was the Texans’ strongest unit in 2022. They were consistent and made few mistakes. Fairbairn and Johnston both played at Pro Bowl levels: Fairbairn made 29 of 31 field goals, while Johnston averaged 48.1 yards per punt. But the Texans let cornerback Tremon Smith, who was also their kick returner, walk in free agency. Dell could potentially fill that spot.
Yea, the real disgusting thing is how many times I’ve let this franchise downright spit in my face and I’ve come crawling back.. but I have still allowed myself to hope again. This is the most I have felt since Watson’s first 6 games.
I don’t recall Green getting hurt until later in the season but could be wrong. I just remember him being pretty freaking terrible when he played which is a concern, especially next to a rookie C.
I was amped up for preseason last year and not disappointed. We saw Pierce shine right away. I'm more than amped up for this preseason to start already.
Green was hurt multiple times in training camp and then again during the season on top of not being in the best shape going into training camp. He had off-season surgery after the season and from people who have seen him has appeared to slim down a bit. Should be better than last season for sure, but no idea how good he’ll be.
Sounds like it wouldn’t suck to kick the tires on some CB’s. Apparently, Rock Ya-Sin currently tops the free agent CB market, but finished last season with some back concerns even though he’s only 26 which may scare teams away. Ronald Darby is coming off a season-ending ACL injury. William Jackson III is a Houston Cougar, but he might be retiring. Any ideas?
Corner is probably the worst position group on the team at this point. Not clear that they have a single plus player there going into next season.
5th year options declined: Chase Young Jeff Okudah Isaiah Simmons CJ Henderson Javon Kinlaw K’Lavon Chaisson Jalen Reagor Kenneth Murray Cesar Ruiz Jordyn Brooks Patrick Queen *Some still pending
