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NFL • 10 months ago

Houston Texans Positional Breakdown From Worst To First

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Troy Taormina-USA Today Sports

Houston Texans Positional Breakdown From Worst To First

Bill O'Brien Texans — The Houston Texans have plenty of different faces heading into training camp, and plenty of faces departed this offseason, most notably Andre Johnson to Indianapolis. Both positions of need and positions of strength were addressed with the hopes of getting the Texan back to the postseason. Here are the Texans’ current positional rankings from worst to first.

The Houston Texans have plenty of different faces heading into training camp, and plenty of faces departed this offseason, most notably Andre Johnson to Indianapolis. Both positions of need and positions of strength were addressed with the hopes of getting the Texan back to the postseason. Here are the Texans’ current positional rankings from worst to first.

8. Tight End

Garrett Graham Texans

8. Tight End

Kyle Terada — Key Players: Garrett Graham, C.J. Fiedorowicz, Ryan Griffin

Graham, Fiedorowicz and Griffin all return this season after each had disastrous 2014 seasons. A total of 24 tight ends had more receptions than the entire Texans' tight end group had combined (32). What's also worse is that these three combined for three touchdown receptions, and Texans' defensive lineman J.J. Watt had three touchdown receptions all by himself.

Key Players: Garrett Graham, C.J. Fiedorowicz, Ryan Griffin

Graham, Fiedorowicz and Griffin all return this season after each had disastrous 2014 seasons. A total of 24 tight ends had more receptions than the entire Texans' tight end group had combined (32). What's also worse is that these three combined for three touchdown receptions, and Texans' defensive lineman J.J. Watt had three touchdown receptions all by himself.

7. Quarterback

Brian Hoyer Texans

7. Quarterback

Brian Hoyer Texans — Key Players: Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, Tom Savage

Once again, Houston passed on drafting a top-quarterback in favor of veterans. Hoyer comes in from Cleveland where he struggled in 2014. However, Hoyer does have experience in Bill O'Brien's offense. Mallett was a backup to Ryan Fitzpatrick last season, and played sparingly before getting hurt. Savage is still a long-term project who won't see the field in 2015.

Key Players: Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, Tom Savage

Once again, Houston passed on drafting a top-quarterback in favor of veterans. Hoyer comes in from Cleveland where he struggled in 2014. However, Hoyer does have experience in Bill O'Brien's offense. Mallett was a backup to Ryan Fitzpatrick last season, and played sparingly before getting hurt. Savage is still a long-term project who won't see the field in 2015.

6. Offensive Line

Duane Brown Texans

6. Offensive Line

Duane Brown Texans — Key Players: Duane Brown, Brandon Brooks, Derek Newton

The Texans have a solid set of tackles in Duane Brown and Derek Newton, but the interior offensive line has some question marks. Brandon Brooks is a solid RG, but the Texans will break in two first-year starters in LG Xavier Su'a-Filo and C Ben Jones. David Quessenberry is trying to earn a roster spot after battling Lymphoma.

Key Players: Duane Brown, Brandon Brooks, Derek Newton

The Texans have a solid set of tackles in Duane Brown and Derek Newton, but the interior offensive line has some question marks. Brandon Brooks is a solid RG, but the Texans will break in two first-year starters in LG Xavier Su'a-Filo and C Ben Jones. David Quessenberry is trying to earn a roster spot after battling Lymphoma.

5. Wide Receiver

DeAndre Hopkins Texans

5. Wide Receiver

DeAndre Hopkins Texans — Key Players: DeAndre Hopkins, Cecil Shorts III, Jaelen Strong, Nate Washington

Once a position of strength, the receiving corps took a big hit this offseason after Andre Johnson left for Indianapolis. Still, Houston has a good set of receivers in third-year pro DeAndre Hopkins, third-round rookie Jaelen Strong, and veteran free agents Cecil Shorts III and Nate Washington. The success or failure of this unit will depend on the QB position.

Key Players: DeAndre Hopkins, Cecil Shorts III, Jaelen Strong, Nate Washington

Once a position of strength, the receiving corps took a big hit this offseason after Andre Johnson left for Indianapolis. Still, Houston has a good set of receivers in third-year pro DeAndre Hopkins, third-round rookie Jaelen Strong, and veteran free agents Cecil Shorts III and Nate Washington. The success or failure of this unit will depend on the QB position.

4. Linebacker

Brian Cushing Texans

4. Linebacker

Brian Cushing Texans — Key Players: Brian Cushing, Whitney Mercilus, Jadeveon Clowney, Benardrick McKinney

For a linebacking corps that has three first-round picks and a high second-round pick, the linebacking corps isn't as solid as it should be. Brian Cushing is the leader of the back seven, but can't stay healthy. Whitney Mercilus has had his moments, but hasn't been consistent. Jadeveon Clowney and Benardrick McKinney are young players with plenty of upside.

Key Players: Brian Cushing, Whitney Mercilus, Jadeveon Clowney, Benardrick McKinney

For a linebacking corps that has three first-round picks and a high second-round pick, the linebacking corps isn't as solid as it should be. Brian Cushing is the leader of the back seven, but can't stay healthy. Whitney Mercilus has had his moments, but hasn't been consistent. Jadeveon Clowney and Benardrick McKinney are young players with plenty of upside.

3. Defensive Back

Kareem Jackson Texans

3. Defensive Back

Kareem Jackson Texans — Key Players: Johnathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson, Kevin Johnson, Rahim Moore

The Texans' boasted the 21st-ranked pass defense in 2014, and most of the defensive backs are returning with the exception of D.J. Swearinger. The Texans upgraded this group significantly by spending a first-round pick on Kevin Johnson and signing former Denver Broncos safety Rahim Moore. Those two will join established starters Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson.

Key Players: Johnathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson, Kevin Johnson, Rahim Moore

The Texans' boasted the 21st-ranked pass defense in 2014, and most of the defensive backs are returning with the exception of D.J. Swearinger. The Texans upgraded this group significantly by spending a first-round pick on Kevin Johnson and signing former Denver Broncos safety Rahim Moore. Those two will join established starters Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson.

2. Running Back

Arian Foster Texans

2. Running Back

Arian Foster Texans — Key Players: Arian Foster, Alfred Blue, Chris Polk, Kenny Hilliard

Houston's offense was predicated on the running game in 2014, and nothing will change this season. Arian Foster is back to his old self, but he still has had trouble dealing with injuries. Second-year back Alfred Blue did a nice job backing up Foster, but former Philadelphia Eagles backup Chris Polk and rookie Kenny Hilliard will provide some insurance.

Key Players: Arian Foster, Alfred Blue, Chris Polk, Kenny Hilliard

Houston's offense was predicated on the running game in 2014, and nothing will change this season. Arian Foster is back to his old self, but he still has had trouble dealing with injuries. Second-year back Alfred Blue did a nice job backing up Foster, but former Philadelphia Eagles backup Chris Polk and rookie Kenny Hilliard will provide some insurance.

1. Defensive Line

J.J. Watt Texans

1. Defensive Line

J.J. Watt Texans — Key Players: J.J. Watt, Vince Wilfork, Louis Nix III

The defensive line is the biggest position of strength for the Texans because of J.J. Watt. The former Wisconsin Badger has established himself as the best defensive player in the game, and was almost named NFL MVP in 2014. At nose tackle, Vince Wilfork came to Houston as a free agent from New England and will mentor second-year nose tackle Louis Nix III.

Key Players: J.J. Watt, Vince Wilfork, Louis Nix III

The defensive line is the biggest position of strength for the Texans because of J.J. Watt. The former Wisconsin Badger has established himself as the best defensive player in the game, and was almost named NFL MVP in 2014. At nose tackle, Vince Wilfork came to Houston as a free agent from New England and will mentor second-year nose tackle Louis Nix III.

Brian Kalchik is a Houston Texans writer and featured writer for www.RantSports.com. He also covers the NBA, College Basketball, Fantasy Sports, Clubhouse and College Football for the site. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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Brian Kalchik is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.

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NFL• 1 day ago

Texans' Watt Will Retire Sooner Rather Than Later

J.J. Watt is the best defensive player in the NFL, but he made an interesting comment about his retirement during an interview this morning.

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NFL• Videos• 3 days ago

J.J. Watt Performs Insane Box Jump Just Days After Surgery

Post-surgery progress. pic.twitter.com/GCp0AXeKEB

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) April 2, 2016

J.J. Watt played through a ton of injuries in 2015 and continues to rehab from sports hernia surgery (among other things) this offseason. To show how he's doing of late, Watt tweeted this epic video in which he does an insane box jump. Most people can't do this at 100 percent, but for Watt, it's no chore at all.

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NFL• 4 weeks ago

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