Rank'Em: The Texans Position Groups
Rank'Em: The Texans Position Groups
How do these position groups stack up after the postseason before the regular season
The Houston Texans will start their regular season next week with a visit to Baltimore to face the Ravens.
With the roster and practice squad mostly set let’s rank the team’s position groups ahead of the start of the season.
Cornerbacks
This is the top group on the roster and has the potential to be even better. Derek Stingley should take a huge step forward. Steven Nelson has been regularly as good in the preseason as his best from last season. Tavierre Thomas has been one of the best inside cornerbacks in football for the past two years. Shaquill Griffin is solid depth. Ka'dar Hollman and Alex Austin round out the room with some special teams usefulness.
Defensive Tackles
Despite no drafted investment in this position, it is a strong one. The starting defensive tackles of Maliek Collins and Sheldon Rankins are a stout duo. The top end isn’t as high as some defensive tackle units with one star, but the floor for this duo is quite high. Rankins has been a target for DeMeco Ryans for a couple of years and he finally has him. Hassan Ridgeway is a veteran who knows what the defense needs and can help stop the run. Kurt Hinish made the roster again as he’s started to carve out a nice career from being undrafted last season.
Safeties
Jalen Pitre is one of the most exciting players on this team. His rookie year was good and with a better defense in front of him, the sky is the limit. Jimmie Ward sets the tone in the back of the defense and has showcased he still has plenty left in the tank. Ward and Pitre have tremendous potential. Eric Murray and M.J. Stewart are solid depth pieces.
Offensive Line
Despite the injuries, there is still hope for this offensive line. The best player on the team is Laremy Tunsil and he helps push the offensive line up the rankings. Shaq Mason is a veteran you can trust. Tytus Howard will be back soon from his injury. Juice Scruggs after that. Sure, the left guard spot is unsettled right now, but there are a ton of options to fill it out.
Running Backs
Dameon Pierce was surprisingly awesome last year. He went from mid-round selection to starting running back in no time. Then he was a wrecking ball inviting defenders to tackle him and punishing them when he tried. Devin Singletary’s addition, or “Motor” as his teammates call him, brings a legitimate backup running back for Pierce. Mike Boone is a decent depth piece. Dare Ogunbowale is a special teams asset.
Linebackers
This unit has a solid mix of veterans and young players with potential. Denzel Perryman has been a good signing by general manager Nick Caserio. Christian Harris has showcased true sideline-to-sideline potential and joins fellow 2022 draftee Jalen Pitre as one of the most exciting players to watch on this team. Blake Cashman played well in training camp before his injury. Henry To’oTo’o has shown flashes. There’s plenty of depth and special teams options with Neville Hewitt, Jake Hansen, and Cory Littleton.
Defensive Ends
This group is full of “if” throughout the group. If Will Anderson lives up to the hype, and I believe he will, there’s a force teams have to worry about. If Jonathan Greenard makes the most of his contract year he will be a valuable piece. If Jerry Hughes continues to drink from the Fountain of Youth he is a solid player. If Dylan Horton is a rotational piece that’s a nice season from the rookie. It is full of ifs, but there’s productive potential here. There is also the chance for some irregularity.
Quarterbacks
This position group is lower in the rankings because it is hard to be a rookie quarterback. I feel like Stroud will have a productive year and take steps forward. It might not be huge leaps every week and there will be some weeks with no progress, but Stroud has shown a propensity for improvement. Davis Mills is one of the ten best backup quarterbacks. Case Keenum is here for his mind but not to play much if at all.
Wide Receivers
Tank Dell and the excitement he brings can’t lift the skepticism I have for this whole group. Robert Woods has been consistent in the preseason but he’s an older wideout. Nico Collins crushed the preseason but he’s struggled to be healthy for the regular season. Noah Brown is solid if not spectacular. John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson aren’t close to being able to contribute regularly.
Tight Ends
Dalton Schultz should have a notable season. I would be surprised if he wasn’t one of the 10 best tight ends statistically. The other members of the tight end room have room to impress. Brevin Jordan was hurt most of the preseason. Teagan Quitoriano missed time in the preseason too, but I have a little excitement for what he can eventually become. Potential doesn’t block or catch passes though. Andrew Beck can play a little tight end in addition to his fullback duties.
What would your position group rankings be?
The 610 afternoon guys were saying that King was far better than Thomas. I’ve probably seen the same PFF scores everyone else has, but they seemed so confident that King was better. Since you’ve been at practice what are you seeing? What are they seeing? Can you make it make sense?
I'm surprised they only kept 4 and 4 at DE and DT. Derek Rivers is an easy call up if someone is banged up, but I had 9 or 10 at D-Line consistently in my roster guesses. A whole lot of Linebackers instead.