The Houston Texans will have many new faces on the team in 2023. After the second-worst season in franchise history in 2022, the team shook things up this offseason. 

The quarterback position seems to finally have an answer after CJ Stroud was selected No. 2 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Star edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. was selected just one pick later and should be the cornerstone of the defense.

However, this is not a perfect roster by any means. Today, I wanted to identify the biggest areas of need remaining on the roster ahead of training camp. 

Linebacker

Perhaps no position group in Houston has undergone more of a facelift than linebacker. 

Entering 2022, the team had Kamu Grugier-Hill, Christian Kirksey, and Garret Wallow as the three starters. So far, it appears that Christian Harris, Denzel Perryman, and Cory Littleton will be the new starters. Perryman and Littleton were both added on one-year deals this offseason. 

Behind that trio, the Texans still roster Wallow and Kirksey, as well as Blake Cashman, Neville Hewitt, and rookie Henry To'oTo'o. While the room is deeper, it is still a very average unit. Perryman and Littleton are solid veterans, but some youth upside could be added. 

Jayon Brown, Rashaan Evans, and Deion Jones are still available and all have starting experience. 

EDGE

Will Anderson Jr. notwithstanding, this is an uninspiring group. 

Jonathan Greenard is currently slated to start opposite the rookie. Greenard had eight sacks in 2021 and looked like a breakout candidate, but had a disappointing 2022 campaign, playing in just eight games due to injury. 

Behind the starting duo, the team has veteran Jerry Hughes and free agent addition Chase Winovich. Hughes will be 35 by Week 1, and Winovich has been an average rotational player. 

The team could use a solid rotational pass rusher to help out the rookie. Matthew Ioannidis, Jadeveon Clowney, and Robert Quinn are available options who could help in Houston. 

Wide receiver

Don't get me wrong, this position group looks much better than it did a year ago. 

John Metchie III is set to make his debut, rookie Tank Dell is exciting, and Robert Woods and Noah Brown are solid veteran options. However, none of these players are No. 1 options. 

Woods is an aging veteran who had a major knee injury two seasons ago. Woods is a fine complimentary option, but seems unlikely to become a top option. Brown has been a complimentary receiver his entire career with a career-high of 43 catches. 

Dell is promising, but his size could limit him to a slot role. The real wild cards here appear to be Metchie and incumbent Nico Collins. 

Collins looked on his way to becoming a reliable option in 2022 before getting injured. Collins ended up with 37 catches for 481 yards and two touchdowns in seven starts. It is entirely possible that Collins could take that next step in 2023, but we haven't seen enough yet. 

Metchie will likely take some time to get adjusted to the NFL. The receiver has dealt with multiple injuries and a cancer diagnosis in his young career. 

If the Texans prefer a more reliable option, a reunion with DeAndre Hopkins is a possibility. Kenny Golladay is still available as well and is still just 29 years old. 

Featured image via © Thomas Shea | 2023 May 12