Texans Depth Chart Reset: New starters at key positions
The main free agency period and the 2023 NFL Draft have both come and gone. Perhaps no team has undergone as much roster turnover as the Texans. CJ Stroud will be the starter at quarterback after being selected No. 2 overall. Will Anderson Jr. will start at one of the edge spots after being a […]
The main free agency period and the 2023 NFL Draft have both come and gone. Perhaps no team has undergone as much roster turnover as the Texans.
CJ Stroud will be the starter at quarterback after being selected No. 2 overall. Will Anderson Jr. will start at one of the edge spots after being a first-round pick himself. The wide receiver position had a huge makeover, with Robert Woods, Noah Brown, and rookie Tank Dell being brought in.
Let's take a look at the Texans' post-draft depth chart and see what positions appear set to have new starters.
Note: Players with one asterisk (*) represent 2023 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) represent 2023 undrafted free agents.
| Position | Starter | Reserve |
|---|---|---|
Quarterback | CJ Stroud* | Case Keenum Davis Mills EJ Perry |
Running back | Dameon Pierce | Devin Singletary Mike Boone Dare Ogunbowale Xazavian Valladay* Gerrid Doaks Troy Hairston |
Wide Receiver | Nico Collins John Metchie III Robert Woods | Tank Dell* Xavier Hutchinson* Noah Brown Amari Rodgers Steven Sims Drew Estrada Johnny Johnson III Jalen Camp Alex Bachman Jared Wayne** Jesse Matthews** |
Tight End | Dalton Schultz | Andrew Beck Teagan Quitoriano Brevin Jordan Mason Schreck |
Offensive Line | LT Laremy Tunsil LG Kenyon Green C Juice Scruggs* RG Shaq Barrett RT Tytus Howard | T Austin Deculus G Michael Deiter C Scott Quessenberry G Jimmy Morrissey T Charlie Heck T Tyler Beach** G Dylan Deatherage** C Jarrett Patterson* T Killian Zierer** |
Defensive line | Sheldon Rankins Maliek Collins | Hassan Ridgeway Roy Lopez Kurt Hinish Thomas Booker IV Taylor Stallworth |
Edge defender | Will Anderson Jr.* Jerry Hughes | Jonathan Greenard Chase Winovich Dylan Horton* Demone Harris Derek Rivers Adedayo Odeleye Ali Gaye** |
Linebacker | Christian Harris Denzel Perryman Cory Littleton | Henry To’oTo’o* Christian Kirksey Jake Hansen Blake Cashman Garret Wallow |
Cornerback | Steven Nelson Derek Stingley Jr. Desmond King II | Tavierre Thomas D’Angelo Ross Cobi Francis Kendall Sheffield Ka’dar Hollman |
Safety | Jalen Pitre Jimmie Ward | MJ Stewart Eric Murray Brandon Hill* Darius Joiner** Grayland Arnold |
Kicker | Ka’imi Fairbairn | None |
Punter | Cameron Johnston | Joe Doyle** |
Long snapper | Jon Weeks | None |
Kick returner | Dare Ogunbowale | Steven Sims |
Punt returner | Desmond King II | Steven Sims |
Some takeaways:
- Case Keenum was brought in to be a veteran backup, which means Mills could be on his way out if the team doesn't keep three quarterbacks.
- There will be an interesting running back competition. Pierce and Singletary are locks, and Ogunbowale probably is as well due to special teams. Mike Boone and UDFA Xazavian Valladay should battle for the final spot.
- The receiver room is much deeper than a year ago. Metchie is healthy now and will be a crucial piece of the offense. Hutchinson would make many rosters in the league, but he could end up being a camp casualty here. Brown and Woods should play big roles.
- Two new additions highlight the tight end room in Schultz and Beck. If Beck is used as a tight end primarily, it could mean that Quitoriano and Jordan are battling for one spot.
- The offensive line features at least one new starter in Mason, and Scruggs could easily beat out Quessenberry at center.
- The defensive line is the deepest unit on the team, which is a farcry from a year ago. The team will have to make some hard cuts at this position group.
- The linebacker position needs depth. If the veterans Littleton and Perryman suffer injury, the team does not have much behind them.
- The secondary was shockingly proficient last season, and should only get better.
- There could very well be a new punter in Houston for the 2023 season. Doyle was one of the most consistent punters in college in 2022.
