Houston Texans Predictions: Five Draft Picks Won’t Make The Roster

More draft picks will be cut than make the roster, I decree.

It’s not for a lack of performance, but many Houston Texans draft picks are in a difficult position. We are in the depths of preseason, and according to the Texans Rosterology there are more rookies at risk of not making the roster than there have ever been.

CB Kamari Lassiter, OT Blake Fisher, S Calen Bullock, and TE Cade Stover are all locks to make the roster based on their draft value and preseason play. There is a clear division in the players drafted between the first four rounds and the last two rounds in the 2024 class: the shift from immediate contributors to thoroughly developmental prospect. Considering how far this roster has come in 24 months, having the level of competition so high that our own draftees can’t find roster spots is a testament to the work of Nick Caserio and the front office.

Arguably all nine of them would make the roster if you put them on the 2021 roster. The players below are projected according to the team’s depth chart and the Rosterology to not make the 53 man roster come cut down on August 27.

Round 6, Pick 188: LB Jamal Hill, Oregon

• Number of Roster Spots Available: Six
• Place of the Depth Chart: Seventh
• Performance in Preseason: Concerningly weak in coverage
• Analysis: Hill has had plenty of opportunity to shine in preseason, but lags in his reads and unable to handle NFL speed.

Of all of the players on this list, Hill is the biggest “project” player. He’s only spent one season playing the linebacker position at Oregon. His size and speed are sufficient to play the position, but the bright lights are too big for him at this point. A primarily coverage linebacker, he was picked on early in the Bears game.

He has looked better each of the last two preseason games, but if anyone in the draft class needs a full season on practice squad, it’s Jamal Hill. Give him another ‘season’ of education, training, and practice and he can come back in 2025 and compete.

Round 6, Pick 205: RB Jawhar Jordan, Louisville

• Number of Roster Spots Available: Three, maybe four
• Place of the Depth Chart: Fifth
• Performance in Preseason: Promising, but not enough
• Analysis: Jordan has done everything he should be doing; catching passes, breaking tackles, and moving the sticks. He’s had moments, but his performances and reps have been overshadowed by the ascendence of Cam Akers. Akers may be listed behind Jordan on the official Texans depth chart, but Akers is a more elusive and experienced version of Jordan at this point.

However, and it’s a big however, if Dameon Pierce gets cut there is a legitimate chance Jordan makes the roster as a developmental project. At the very least, Jordan will get called up midseason if anyone gets injured.

Round 7, Pick 238: DE Solomon Byrd, USC

• Number of Roster Spots Available: Five
• Place of the Depth Chart: Seventh
• Performance in Preseason: Underwhelming
• Analysis: Outside of the strip sack late in the game against the Giants, Byrd has been middling been outplayed by second year undrafted DE Ali Gaye. Byrd’s lack of athleticism has allowed several running backs to get outside of him on zone runs. He has potential to develop into a situational pass rusher, but Houston possesses several of those on the roster already. Give Byrd time to develop on the practice squad.

Round 7, Pick 247: DT Marcus Harris, Auburn

• Number of Roster Spots Available: Four, maybe five
• Place of the Depth Chart: Seven
• Performance in Preseason: Specialized amateur
• Analysis: Harris has arguably had the best, most consistent play thus far out of this group. He had several disruptive plays on the defensive line and demonstrated his knack for getting in the backfield. Harris’ jump off the line is NFL-caliber, but the coaching staff must work on his shedding of blocks when he doesn’t win off the snap.

However, Houston has overloaded the position with veteran, rotational players. Harris’ ceiling is the highest out of this group and could become a starter in a few seasons.

Round 7, Pick 249: OT LaDarius Henderson, Michigan

• Number of Roster Spots Available: 8-10
• Place of the Depth Chart: CUT
• Performance in Preseason: Never made it

LaDarius Henderson was the first player in the league drafted in 2024 to get released. He was waived with a non football injury designation after suffering an undisclosed foot injury that required surgery. Barring his injury, there was a legitimate opportunity for Henderson to make the back end of the roster considering Charlie Heck’s ongoing foot injury and Kendrick Green being devalued on the roster. If Henderson is able to recover over the season, he will be brought back into camp on a new contract and with a second chance.