Texans roster checkup: Part II

Cato June was the most noteworthy free agent signing since our last roster checkup                       (AP photo: Darron Cummings) 

So how about another roster checkup?

It's been a little over a month since the last checkup and there were a few signings since then - all on defense.  With less than two weeks before the draft, we've probably seen the last of the free agent signings until after the draft.

The Texans currently have 61 players under contract or tendered, compared to 57 a month ago.   By early July, this number will expand to somewhere around the league roster limit of 80.  The four roster additions since the last checkup are shown in green.

That means between now and training camp, the Texans will be adding another 19 (or so) players to the roster.   Eight (or so) will come from the draft and most of the rest will be undrafted rookie free agents that will be signed in the days immediately following the draft

OL Dan Stevenson is still under contract and will hold a roster spot until his situation is resolved..

Let's take a look at the current Texans roster numbers and make some assessments.

OFFENSE

Wide Receiver (8):  Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Andre Davis, David Anderson, Jacoby Jones, Darnell Jenkins, Glenn Martinez, Mark Simmons

No changes since the last checkup, and not a lot of changes expected.  The Texans will likely bring in a couple of undrafted free agents compete in camp or they could draft another receiver very late.  It's time for Jacoby Jones to step his game up.

Offensive Line (11):  Duane Brown, Chester Pitts, Chris Myers, Mike Brisiel, Eric Winston, Cliff Washburn, Kasey Studdard, Chris White, Adam Stenavich, Rashad Butler, Dan Stevenson

No changes since the last checkup. Stevenson is gone so in reality there are 10 OLs on the roster.  Butler has moved up to the swing tackle, but if Salaam doesn't sign elsewhere he could be re-signed.  Depth could be improved across the line.  If Max Unger is still on the board when the Texans pick at #46, he would be hard to pass up despite the needs on defense.   The Texans took 16 OLs to camp last year.  Don't expect quite that many this year but there could be as many as four new adds to this group over the next three months.

Tight End (3): Owen Daniels, Joel Dreessen, Courtney Anderson

No changes since the last checkup.  The Texans will likely add another blocking tight end to the camp roster to replace Mark Bruener.  Hopefully, Owen Daniels' contract situation will be resolved before training camp

Quarterback (3):  Matt Schaub, Dan Orlovsky, Alex Brink

No changes.  This group is fairly well set.  Expect another camp arm to be brought in before July.

Fullback (1):  Vonta Leach

No changes but the Texans will need to add a player here to back up the Texans Hammer.  Cecil Sapp is exploring free agency and may not be back.

Running Back (3): Steve Slaton, Chris Brown, Ryan Moats

No changes, and one of the weakest areas on the team in terms of quality depth.  Expect the Texans to draft a running back - just not in the 1st round.  They will likely sign one or more undrafted rookie free agents.  I would expect at least two new faces to be added to this group by the time camp begins.  I'll believe Chris Brown is back when I see it.

DEFENSE

Defensive Line (10):  Antonio Smith, Travis Johnson, Amobi Okoye, Mario Williams, Tim Bulman, Frank Okam, Deljuan Robinson, Stanley McClover, Jesse Nading, Shaun Cody.

The Texans added Shaun Cody since the last checkup, but that won't stop the Texans from looking at defensive tackles in the draft.  An edge rusher is still a need.

Linebacker (8):  Zach Diles, DeMeco Ryans, Xavier Adibi, Cato June, Kevin Bentley, Kevis Coley, Chaun Thompson, Buster Davis

The signings of Cato June and Buster Davis helped shore up this area since the last checkup.  The Texans can worry less about the weak side now that June and Adibi are there, and more strong side help is on it's way early in the draft.  Diles is recovering from a broken leg but should be ready by camp.  A backup 'Mike' could also be added, but Bentley could also rotate inside if (when) the Texans draft a strong side backer.  The Texans took ten linebackers to camp last year so expect a couple more faces to be added to this group.

Defensive Back (11):  Dunta Robinson, Dominique Barber, Eugene Wilson, Nick Ferguson, Jacques Reeves, Fred Bennett, Brandon Harrison, Antwaun Molden, David Pittman, Matterral Richardson, A.J. Davis

The Texans stopped the bleeding at safety since the last checkup by re-signing Nick Ferguson, but they could really use a young, rangy ball hawk to round out the group.   If Malcolm Jenkins slips, he would be a strong possibility at 15 since he could be a solution at corner or safety.  Darius Butler could also be a possibility in the first round since Robinson is an unhappy franchise camper and Jacques Reeves is not a long term solution as a starter.  The Texans need Molden to take the next step and Bennett to shake off his sophomore slump.  Demarcus Faggins signed with the Titans, leaving only two original Texans remaining on the roster.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter/Kicker/Long Snapper (3):  Matt Turk, Kris Brown, Clark Harris

No changes since the last checkup and probably not a lot of changes in store with this group.  The Texans will probably bring in a free agent punter to push Turk and share reps during camp.  Brown is a mainstay.  Harris long-snapped well after Bryan Pittman was suspended by the league.  James Casey sure would make a nice tight end/fullback/long-snapper wouldn't he?  Wishful thinking, but I don't see a way the Texans could swing that move this year unless they managed to get another second or high third round pick through a trade.