Houston possesses one of the most talented and deep offenses in the league. They return ten of eleven offensive starters from last season and upgraded the one position they did add. Sure, there are questions across the offensive line, but there’s legitimate reason to believe this offense can be statistically the best offense the Texans have had.
When it comes to depth, Houston has the best wide receiver group – possibly in the league. The talent far surpasses who can remain on the 53-man roster and will make for a furious training camp battle.
As we trudge through summer and to the aforementioned training camp, let’s evaluate the depth across the offense to identify where the weaknesses are, the upcoming roster competition, and potential for the rookies to shine. We’ll break everything down into four tiers: Locks, Depth Pieces (backups and rotational players), Roster Battlers (players presumptively on the fringe of the 53-man roster), and players who are on the ‘Outside Looking In’ of the in-season roster.
Quarterbacks
Locks: C.J. Stroud
Depth: Davis Mills, Case Keenum
Roster Battlers: None
Outside Looking In: Tim Boyle
Analysis: Continuity be dammed! Stroud maintaining the same offensive coordinator, QB coach, and QB room will benefit his growth and development in his second season. Let’s keep the pace up….
Running Backs
Locks: Joe Mixon
Depth: Dameon Pierce, Andrew Beck (FB)
Roster Battlers: Jawhar Jordan, Dare Ogumbowale
Outside Looking In: J.J. Taylor, British Brooks, Troy Hairston (FB)
Analysis: Joe Mixon replaces Devin Singletary and supplants Dameon Pierce as the top ball carrier for the Texans. He promises consistent production that has been unattainable in Houston for far too long.
The competition between rookie sixth rounder Jawhar Jordan and incumbent Dare Ogumbowale will be fierce. There’s only room for one of them, plus a fullback. Parting from Ogumbowale’s special teams prowess will be as difficult as parting with the sixth rounder’s potential.
Plus, watch out for British Brooks – a 5’11, 225 pound undrafted rookie with fantastic acceleration to breakthrough in training camp.
Tight Ends
Locks: Dalton Schultz
Depth: Brevin Jordan, Cade Stover
Roster Battlers: Teagan Quitoriano
Outside Looking In: Dalton Keene
Analysis: Quitoriano has been his own worst enemy since being drafted in 2021. When healthy, the 6’6 tight end is an imposing figure in the red zone and the most capable blocking TE on the roster. However he’s been on IR twice in two seasons, plus wasn’t healthy enough to compete in this year’s voluntary workouts.
Brevin Jordan’s ascent at the end of the season and in the playoffs temporarily solidifies his place on the roster, but his lack of blocking capability opened the door for Houston to select fourth round rookie Stover to the group. Defining of roles will be as interesting as who exactly earns a roster spot.
Wide Receivers
Locks: Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Stefon Diggs
Depth: John Metchie III
Roster Battlers: Robert Woods, Steven Sims, Ben Skowronek, Xavier Hutchinson, Noah Brown
Outside Looking In: Janke Twins, Johnny Jonnson III, Jared Wayne (MISSING??)
Analysis: It’s by far the most competitive group on the roster.
The depth chart is unknown, but the options are more plentiful than anyone could’ve hoped for just two years ago. Diggs, Nico, and Tank are the trio to lead Houston to another division championship. Veteran Robert Woods’ contract may be the biggest hindrance to his staying put in Houston.
The addition of Ben Skowronek is intriguing as his blocking ability separates him out among this group of pass catchers, but is there a roster spot available for the newby? Is Steven Sims deserving of a spot due to his special teams returning talet? There’s more questions than answers. Essentially, the front office will need to decide if they’re prioritizing a variety of talent versus the top six best receivers on the roster.
Offensive Tackles
Locks: Laremy Tunsil, Tytus Howard, Blake Fisher
Depth: Charlie Heck
Roster Battlers: David Sharpe, LaDarius Henderson
Outside Looking In: Jaylon Thomas, Kilian Zierer
Analysis: Second round, developmental rookie Blake Fisher may not be a starter, but will be an active contributor given Howard and Tunsil’s injury history that’s as long as A Song of Ice and Fire.
After the trio, who knows. Charlie Heck made himself useful last season as a swing tackle and earned a one year contract, but does anyone trust him to be a suitable long-term replacement?
The addition of Sharpe is intriguing and he’s slated to backup Tunsil at LT. Where seventh rounder LaDarius Henderson fits in the greater scheme of the o-line will be a mystery till training camp and he may need to spend his first season redshirting on the practice squad.
Interior Offensive Lineman
Locks: Shaq Mason, Juice Scruggs
Depth: Jarrett Patterson, Kendrick Green
Roster Battlers: Kenyon Green
Outside Looking In: Nick Broeker, Killian Zierer, Jaylon Thomas
Analysis: Kenyon Green being in shape doesn’t imply that he’s fixed all of the problems with technique and foot speed that plagued him early in his career. Until we see it on the field, Green is the biggest question mark on the entire roster.
The Scruggs vs. Patterson battle for center is the most under-appreciated upcoming battles of the offseason. The two 2023 draft picks both showed promise, but don’t be surprised if Patterson leaps Scruggs and secures the long-term role as Stroud’s snapper.