The Houston Texans had their preseason finale on Friday against the Carolina Panthers. Very few players who will make the 53-man roster played in the game. Here are some quick observations from the finale, which featured mostly players competing for a practice-squad spot.
The protection for Davis Mills was not up to the level it needed to be. The backup quarterback is one of the most important insurance policies on the team. He took too much punishment in a game where I was a little surprised to see him playing. Right tackle Sam Hagen had a rough night. Jarrett Kingston replaced him, which helped improve the protection. One of the poor protection moments led to Mills tossing an interception. It looked like Mills and wide receiver Lewis Bond weren’t on the same page, but Mills was also trying to avoid a rusher.
George Odum has been on the Texans since Monday. He played like he was trying to stick around beyond cutdown day. He finished the day with nine tackles, an interception, and a pass deflection. Odum had some nice moments in the joint practice. He’s played a lot of football with a ton of special teams experience. If the Texans want someone with a ton of experience on the practice squad, Odum has a chance to stick around.
Rookie linebacker Aiden Fisher looked more comfortable. He’d had some frazzled moments in the preseason, but was around the ball a lot in this one. Most of his success came from cleaning up with someone else, but he also made some solo tackles. Fisher should get a chance to stick on the practice squad. DeMeco Ryans praised the intelligence of the defensive rookies during training camp. The lack of standout linebacker moments allowed Fisher’s mistakes to be learning opportunities and not stick out like a sore thumb.
The Texans have an excess of defensive tackles. Naquan Jones, Kyonte Hamilton, and Dominic Bailey should all be in consideration for a practice squad spot. All three players have had stretches during the preseason where they have done nice things. I wonder if Jones is a player that could elicit a similarly skilled player at a different position via trade. There might not be room for Hamilton and Bailey if Jones sticks around. The main roster is set at defensive tackle, but having players familiar with the system if injury strikes would be nice.
Trade Candidates
The big question about potentially trading a player is what the Texans would be pursuing. Defensive end should be at the top of the shopping list. Perhaps a veteran running back if Noah Whittington’s injury is lingering. Nick Caserio could also go about adding late-round picks in future drafts if a team ended up interested in one of these players.
Wide Receiver Jared Wayne
Jared Wayne has had a preseason worthy of a roster spot. If the Texans intend to keep him on the roster, this idea is silly. He’s a player that could absolutely be on another team if he didn’t make the Texans, so exposing him to waivers might mean losing him for nothing. Wayne could net you a useful player at another position. I waffle on if he would make it to the practice squad, but I would be willing to take that risk. Obviously, if you moved a player who was set to make the team, keeping Wayne is easier.
Offensive Lineman Jarrett Patterson
Jarrett Patterson’s snaps have not reflected a player guaranteed to make the roster. The versatility for Patterson gives him a leg up over other interior linemen. It’s quite the conundrum. He doesn’t feel like a player that would sneak onto the team’s practice squad. He’s worthy of a roster spot somewhere. He’s useful to the Texans as a backup at all three interior spots, so they’d have to like the player to make this move.
Offensive Guard Wyatt Teller
Wyatt Teller isn’t set to start for the Texans. This would be admitting defeat on one of the players signed in the offseason to help improve this offensive line. The Texans have a better understanding of what Teller would accept from a playing time standpoint. If the right team called looking for line help, and dangled the right piece that helps elsewhere, the Texans should consider it. It wouldn’t shop Teller; he could be a useful backup, but I would listen.
