Breaking down the Texans depth chart after Week 1 of NFL free agency
The Texans have been extremely active this offseason, and have made several notable additions on each side of the ball. In addition to keeping a few veterans like Tavierre Thomas and MJ Stewart in the fold, the team also made a notable trade and some solid signings. Robert Woods, Jimmie Ward, and Sheldon Rankins highlight […]
The Texans have been extremely active this offseason, and have made several notable additions on each side of the ball.
In addition to keeping a few veterans like Tavierre Thomas and MJ Stewart in the fold, the team also made a notable trade and some solid signings. Robert Woods, Jimmie Ward, and Sheldon Rankins highlight the notable additions.
So, what exactly does the Texans' depth chart look like after the initial wave of free agency? Let's take a look.
| Position | Starter | Reserves |
|---|---|---|
Quarterback | Davis Mills | Case Keenum |
Running back | Dameon Pierce | Mike Boone, Dare Ogunbowale |
Wide receiver | Nico Collins | Jalen Camp |
Wide receiver | Noah Brown | Amari Rodgers |
Wide receiver | Robert Woods | John Metchie III |
Tight end | Teagan Quitoriano | Brevin Jordan, Mason Schreck |
Left tackle | Laremy Tunsil | Austin Deculus |
Left guard | Kenyon Green | Jimmy Morrissey |
Center | Scott Quessenberry | N/A |
Right guard | Shaq Mason | N/A |
Right tackle | Tytus Howard | Charlie Heck |
Offensively, the Texans made two major moves: Giving up essentially nothing for Shaq Mason and adding a proven veteran in Robert Woods.
Woods' addition is even more important given that former Texan Brandin Cooks is now a Dallas Cowboy.
The offensive line is already improved by the addition of Mason, and locking up Tunsil was huge as well. Expect the team to invest at least a pick or two on the line in the draft, however. The unit is not deep, and upgrading at the center position should be a priority.
Additionally, the tight end position is now a need in Houston. With Jordan Akins bolting for Cleveland, the inexperienced Quitoriano is currently penciled in to start.
At QB, Mills is the starter, for now. I believe everyone fully expects the team to take one of Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson, or Will Levis, depending on how the draft goes.
Defense
| Position | Starter(s) | Reserves |
|---|---|---|
Defensive end | Jerry Hughes, Jonathan Greenard | Chase Winovich, Demone Harris, Derek Rivers, Adedayo Odeleye |
Defensive tackle | Sheldon Rankins, Maliek Collins | Roy Lopez, Hassan Ridgeway, Taylor Stallworth, Kurt Hinish |
Outside linebacker | Christian Harris | N/A |
Middle linebacker | Christian Kirksey | Blake Cashman |
Outside linebacker | Jake Hansen | Garrett Wallow |
Cornerback | Steven Nelson | D’Angelo Ross, Kendall Sheffield |
Cornerback | Derek Stingley, Jr. | Cobi Francis, Ka’Dar Hollman |
Nickel | Desmond King II | Tavierre Thomas |
Free Safety | Jalen Pitre | Eric Murray, Grayland Arnold |
Strong Safety | Jimmie Ward | MJ Stewart |
The defensive front has likely been the biggest beneficiary of the teams' early moves.
Bringing in Sheldon Rankins, Hassan Ridgeway, and Chase Winovich should provide a huge boost. The Texans were atrocious against the run, finishing dead-last in opponent's rushing yards per game in 2022. Adding a couple of big bodies to the middle should help.
The linebacker room is very thin as of now, and I would expect multiple additions via free agency and the draft.
I think many people would be surprised to learn that the Texans actually boasted the 10th-ranked passing defense in 2022. That unit should only improve in 2023 as young stars Jalen Pitre and Derek Stingley Jr develop.
Jimmie Ward follows his former defensive coordinator to Houston and brings a decade of NFL experience with him. This secondary could be the strongest part of the team.
| Position | Starter | Reserves |
|---|---|---|
Long snapper | Jon Weeks | N/A |
Punter | Cameron Johnston | |
Kicker | Ka’imi Fairbairn | |
Kick returner | Dare Ogunbowale | Desmond King II |
Punt returner | Desmond King II |
This is a pretty solid and set group.
Johnston is set to enter his third season as the punter in Houston, and only Johnny Hekker pinned more punts inside of the 20-yard line than Johnston in 2022.
Fairbairn should be back as well after hitting 93.6% of his field goals in 2022. It would not be surprising to see the team take a flier on a late-round or undrafted specialist, however.
In conclusion: There are still several areas in which the team needs to improve to have any shot at the playoffs. I wouldn't expect any more flashy moves from the team, but more signings will be made for depth.
The team will most likely have a rookie under center in 2023, so expectations should be tempered. The roster around said rookie QB will definitely have more talent than the 2022 rendition though.