Houston Texans Depth Chart 2018 Texans Depth Chart

Preseason Analysis: Texans Focusing on Health & Defense

Houston is going to potentially have a loaded offense with DeShaun Watson back in the mix after looking very good before the injury last season. Watson will still his same weapons this season, with DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller being the main options. Houston went out and added a third receiver, Keke Coutee out of Texas Tech, who could jump into the slot. Tight ends come and go for Houston, and I can’t recall the last time a Houston tight end has been a volume guy in the passing game. Stephen Anderson is the more athletic guy with Ryan Griffin in the mix as well, but two rookie tight ends could make a push. While this season this will be an irrelevant position, it could indicate a more promising role down the line. Lamar Miller is still the lead dog in Houston, but D’Onta Freeman will put some pressure on him as he did last season. There could be some point in the future where Freeman overtakes Miller on the depth chart, especially if the inefficient volume games continue. 2018 should be a fun year in Houston, and adds to what should be a pretty competitive AFC South.

After a historical rookie campaign, cut short by an ACL injury, the Houston Texans Deshawn Watson looks to rise through the ashes as one of the top playmaking quarterbacks in the NFL. He must look to expand on the great performance he had, while exceeding it as new defensive schemes and game situations come into play with a full season going up against several teams knowing he is the nucleus. The highflying WR DeAndre Hopkins who is arguably the #1 WR in the NFL has carried this offense. George Godsey has been entrusted as the Offensive Coordinator for this upcoming season and for great reasons. His familiarity and understanding of Bill O'Brien and their relationship goes back to 2001. Godsey also has served as Quarterbacks coach under O'Brien since 2014. There is no other position more important than the QB, so serving as the Offensive Coordinator and play caller looks to fair well for the Texans. With a for sure #1 WR, Godsey and the Houston Texans offense have to enhance their #2 and #3 WR positions with a group that has only had one WR over 500 yards receiving. This will be a substantially improved bunch at years end as the Texans look to embark on a promising season filled with franchise record statistics with unlimited amounts of offensive fire power. This was the case during Watson's rookie campaign before it was cut short to injury, and can very well become the standard.

While head coach Bill O'Brien praised Watson's Hall of Fame skill and character, the Front Office also secured Hopkins with a new deal in the offseason, extended O'Brien's contract, and signed two draft picks TE Jordan Akins and WR Keke Coutee who are expected to contribute and add to Watson's bag of resources. Will Fuller adds depth to the WR corps but has not put up numbers to have an uncontested spot at #2. Sammie Coates was added in the offseason, and the WR room includes Braxton Miller, Bruce Ellington, and now Coutee. As for the running game, Lamar Miller and D'Onta Foreman make up the bulk of the rushing attack looking to excel as Lamar carried more of the load than Foreman. Foreman has stated that he "wants to be better" and knows he is likely #2 until his numbers speak otherwise. In today's game, a two back tandem is utilized more often to keep the tempo of the offense going, and offset the defenses with fatigue and formations. Miller and Foreman are essentially a 1 2 punch, while Foreman needs to bring more to the table.

J.J. Watt and Jadaveon Clowney both look to return to a defense that has ranked well over the past few years. In addition, D.J. Reader has set himself apart as one of the most disruptive interior defensive linemen in the league. The front office also added to this top 10 ranked defense by drafting S Justin Reid, and signing big free agents in CB Aaron Colvin and the honey badger S Tyrann Mathieu. You can expect this defense to continue to be a force in the AFC South as they look to dethrone the New England Patriots in route to a road to the Super Bowl. Depth will be a big challenge for the defense as injury has already knocked the air out of three good runs to the playoffs in years past. Overall, expectations are high as the addition of Brad Seely as the new Special Teams Coordinator has lifted the meter of excellence in all three phases of the game. With a young MVP caliber QB looking to thrive at his peak with the league’s best offensive weapons like Hopkins; Houston's high powered offensive attack is coupled with a stout defense with a vicious front seven reliant on a healthy J.J. Watt, Clowney, and Reader. In addition, the top-flight secondary lead by Colvin and Mathieu looks to lead what could very be the best season in Houston Texans history for Bill Brien.