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Time for a Texans roster checkup
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Here it is, early March. The college all star games and scouting combine are well behind us. We're more than a week into free agency, Pro Days are underway, and the NFL draft is a mere seven weeks away.
Sound like a good time to make a quick assessment of the Texans roster
The Texans currently have 57 players under contract. By early July, this number will expand to somewhere around the league roster limit of 80.
That means between now and then the Texans will be adding about 25 players to the roster. Eight or so will come from the draft and the rest will be undrafted rookie free agents and veteran free agents that are still floating around.
Two players currently under contract (RB Chris Brown and OL Dan Stevenson)aren't likely to return.
The last time we heard from Brown, he was headed to injured reserve for back problems. He's still under contract so I'm guessing the Texans are trying to work out a settlement with him.
Stevenson? The last we heard of him is that he got a one-way ticket out of here for going too far outside the lines.
So let's take a look at the current Texans roster numbers and make some guesses on what to expect as the team continues to fill its roster.
OFFENSE
Wide Receiver (8): Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Andre Davis, David Anderson, Jacoby Jones, Darnell Jenkins, Glenn Martinez, Mark Simmons
Don't expect major changes here. The team will likely bring in a couple more undrafted free agent types to compete in camp. Jacoby Jones needs to prove that he can play receiver and hang on to the ball on punt returns or his days may be numbered.
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
Stevenson is gone so that leaves the Texans with 10 linemen and a full two-deep rotation. Butler moves up to the swing tackle with Salaam gone. 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 more pressing 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 few months.
Tight End (3): Owen Daniels, Joel Dreessen, Courtney Anderson
The Texans will likely add another blocking tight end (or two) to the camp roster to replace Mark Bruener. Owen Daniels hasn't reached agreement on his contract yet, but expect that to get done in the coming days or weeks.
Quarterback (3): Matt Schaub, Dan Orlovsky, Alex Brink
This group is also fairly well set. Expect another camp arm to be brought in before July.
Fullback (1): Vonta Leach
The Texans will add one or two players to this group. I expect they will try to re-sign Cecil Sapp who is an unrestricted free agent.
Running Back (3): Steve Slaton, Chris Brown, Ryan Moats
One of the more glaring weaknesses on the team in terms of quality depth, expect the Texans to draft a running back in the 3rd through 5th round, plus sign one or more undrafted free agents. I would expect as many as three new faces could be added to this group by the time camp begins. Brown most likely won't be back.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line (9): Antonio Smith, Travis Johnson, Amobi Okoye, Mario Williams, Tim Bulman, Frank Okam, Deljuan Robinson, Stanley McClover, Jesse Nading
The signing of Antonio Smith improves the front four and means the Texans won't be drafting a defensive end with their first pick in the draft. A run stuffing tackle is the primary need in this group and that could be an early draft target. Expect a few undrafted free agent signings to round out depth across the line heading into camp.
Linebacker (6): Zach Diles, DeMeco Ryans, Xavier Adibi, Kevin Bentley, Kevis Coley, Chaun Thompson
This is the second of three glaring need areas for the Texans. Expect the Texans to draft at least one linebacker with one coming as early as the 15th pick overall (if they like Brian Cushing and he's there). The Texans took ten linebackers to camp last year so expect three or four new faces added to this group by summer.
Defensive Back (10): Dunta Robinson, Domonique Barber, Eugene Wilson, Jacques Reeves, Fred Bennett, Brandon Harrison, Antwaun Molden, David Pittman, Matterral Richardson, A.J. Davis
Help! I wouldn't be surprised to see the Texans spend two draft picks to bolster the group. Safety is extremely thin with only Barber, Harrison, and Wilson on the roster. It will be interesting to watch David Gibbs try to mold this unit under Frank Bush's new scheme. The Texans need Molden to take the next step and Bennett to shake off his sophomore slump. Robinson is an unhappy franchise camper and Jacques Reeves is not a long term solution as a starter. Wilson was a good re-sign and I would like to see them also try to re-sign Nick Ferguson. Demarcus Faggins and Will Demps are probably gone for good and C.C. Brown recently signed with the Giants.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter/Kicker/Long Snapper (3): Matt Turk, Kris Brown, Clark Harris
There's 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.
MORE ON THE TEXANS AND THE NFL:
- Benson non-signing makes sense in terms of money and pecking order
- Free agency update: AFC South
- Orlovsky eager to get coached up
- Dazed and confused by player movement? Try this free agent tracker
- Texans sign Antonio Smith, meet with Orlovsky
- Day one of free agency yields a mixed bag of news for the Texans
- Eight Texans players head for unrestricted free agency
- Are the stars lining up for Gary Kubiak and Stephen McGee?
- Texans release three players; RFAs due
- Memo to owners and NFLPA: Don't screw this up
- Texans number one need? How about talent and stability on defense
- Texans can't afford another free agent mistake
- Accused of violating NFL rules: What say you, Texans?
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