Adrian Fedkiw
Each day leading up to the official start of the NFL football season, I will be providing you with player rankings, team previews, analysis, predictions, opinions and a whole lot more.
The defense is set, but the offense needed refurbishment following an embarrassing Wild Card loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and an overhaul followed.
The Houston Texans signed former Denver Brows quarterback Brock Osweiler to a four-year, $72 million deal, agreed to a $26 million pact with former Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller to replace prior Pro Bowler Arian Foster and drafted a pair of receivers, including Will Fuller in the first round. Braxton Miller was the other wideout taken.
While the Texans may not get immediate production from their young wideouts, they should help the emerging DeAndre Hopkins flourish even further as they develop.
It was still a solid 2015 campaign considering the 2-5 start, but if the offense can be more explosive, Houston can become more dangerous in January.
Grading the Roster
QBs- Brock Osweiler (7.4), Tom Savage (7.1)
RBs- Lamar Miller (7.7), Alfred Blue (7.2), Tyler Ervin (7.2)
WRs- DeAndre Hopkins (8.2), Cecil Shorts III (7.3), Will Fuller (7.2), Jaelen Strong (7.2)
TEs- C.J. Fiedorowicz (7.3), Ryan Griffin (7.2)
Ts- Duane Brown (8.1), Derek Newton (7.4), Chris Clark (7.2)
Gs- Jeff Allen (7.5), Xavier Su’a-Filo (7.2), Oday Aboushi (7.1)
Cs- Nick Martin (7.2), Tony Bergstrom (7.1)
DEs- J.J. Watt (9.5), Christian Covington (7.2), Devon Still (7.2), Brandon Dunn (7.2)
NTs- Vince Wilfork (7.5), D.J. Reader (7)
OLBs- Whitney Mercilus (7.9), Jadeveon Clowney (7.6), John Simon (7.4), Carlos Thompson (7.1),
ILBs- Brian Cushing (7.7), Bernardrick McKinney (7.4), Akeem Dent (7.2), Max Bullough (7.1)
CBs- Kareem Jackson (7.6), Johnathan Joseph (7.4), Kevin Johnson (7.3), A.J. Bouye (7.3)
Ss- Eddie Pleasant (7.3), Andre Hal (7.2), Antonio Allen (7.2)
K- Nick Novak (7.3)
P- Shane Lechler (7.3)
KR- Braxton Miller (7.3)
PR- Braxton Miller (7.3)
Team Rankings
Team- 7.377 (17/32)
Offense- 7.342 (25/32)
Defense- 7.451 (7/32)
Quarterbacks- 7.25 (30/32)
Running Backs- 7.37 (9/32)
Receivers- 7.4 (15/32)
Offensive Line- 7.35 (18/32)
Defensive Line- 7.6 (2/16)
Linebackers- 7.43 (4/16)
Secondary- 7.33 (25/32)
Special Teams- 7.3
Coaches- 7.3
PREDICTION– 8-8 (2nd AFC South)
QUARTERBACKS
Was Osweiler worth the money? It was a different approach than the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams, who gave up a plethora of draft picks to move up in the draft and select a young signal caller.
Osweiler is 6’8 and yes, he has the arm strength you’d expect from a man that size. He has one of the strongest arms in the league and doesn’t have to worry about playing in poor weather. His accuracy still needs some improvement, though, and that’s where Bill O’Brien’s coaching comes into play. Osweiler has a quick release, but due to his size, has trouble maneuvering in the pocket at times. He’s still only 25 years old and far from a finished product.
Former fourth-round pick Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden are the backups to Osweiler.
RUNNING BACKS
I don’t know what the Dolphins were thinking, not for letting Miller sign with Houston, but for not giving him the ball. He averaged just 156 carries a season while he was in South Beach, which is ridiculous considering he’s gained a league-best 4.6 yards per carry since 2012. Houston got a first-hand look at him last year when Miller ran for 185 yards against them.
Miller is a speester who can run away from defenders and turn the corner. He’s a solid one-cut runner that showcases agility and vision in the open field. He also has the ability to catch the ball out of backfield, totaling 397 yards on 47 receptions last year.
Alfred Blue and fourth-round rookie are slotted behind Miller on the depth chart. Blue is a power back, while Ervin is a scat back type that excels in space.
RECEIVERS
Hopkins broke out in a big way last year, emerging from Andre Johnson’s shadow to post 111 catches for 1,521 yards and 11 touchdowns. Those are some pretty crazy numbers, considering he had Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett tossing him the ball.
Hopkins can do it all, he changes direction very effectively, he’s very quick, which helps him with his route running in the intermediate game, but can also beat you deep with his good speed, leaping ability, body control and crazy strong hands. The ball literally sticks to his hands like superglue. If I want to nitpick, I still think there’s some improvements that could be made with his after the catch ability.
Fuller is going to stretch the field with his speed, although he dropped a lot of balls in college. Miller is shifty, but is still learning how to play the position after converting as a quarterback. Jaelen Strong struggled as a rookie and didn’t cause much separation, while Cecil Shorts III is a solid veteran.
C.J. Fiedorowicz is the top tight end, but is primarily used as a blocker and doesn’t run a lot of routes. Ryan Griffen needs to be more consistent with his pass catching.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Left tackle Duane Brown has some of the the best technique of any lineman in the game. His length makes him very tough to beat on the edge and his superb technique allows his to stay balanced and maintain a powerful base when anchoring.
Houston likes to run a zone scheme in the running game and Brown is a good fit for it. He’s fluid going to his left or right and understands angles. Sometimes he’ll miss his man in space, but overall he’s a good run blocker. He tore his right quadriceps in the final game of the regular season, we’ll see if that hinders his play heading into 2016. The versatile Derek Newton, who played every position along the offensive line last year except for center, is a better run blocker than he is a pass protector.
The Texans were hoping that second-rounder Nick Martin could come in and start at center from the get-go, but he’s out for the season with an ankle injury. That means the starter will most likely be undrafted Toledo product Greg Mancz, who will replace the departed Ben Jones.
Jeff Allen takes over for Brandon Brooks at right guard and Xavier Su’a Filo is the starter at left guard. Allen is a feisty and physical player who came over as a free agent following a stint with the Kansas City Chiefs.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt had 17 ½ sacks a year ago, which was actually a down year for him.
The high-energy, high-motor playing Watt is simply a freak of an athlete. He lines up all over the place on the Houston Texans line and could probably play every position in the front 7 of a 3-4 or 4-3. He singlehandedly destroys game plans. He has a rare explosion that quite frankly I’ve never really seen before for a man his size except for maybe Reggie White. He has the quickness to get by blockers and is exceptionally stout at the point of attack. His hands are very powerful and can send the lineman flying backwards and his closing speed to the quarterback is remarkable.
But I think what might be Watt’s best quality despite the gaudy sack totals is his awareness to get his hands up and tip passes at the line of scrimmage. And he’s become so good at this that it’s become a trend in the league and more and more players are now doing it. His hand eye coordination is so good too that sometimes he can haul some of these throws in for interceptions. In run defense, Watt re-establishes the line of scrimmage. He never gets pushed backward. So not only is he the best pass rushing 3-4 defensive end in the game, he’s also the best at stopping the run. He’s truly the complete package. Simply that once in a generation defensive talent.
Mammoth nose tackle Vince Wilfork, who’s 34 now and is in his second season in Houston after spending the first 11 years of his career in New England, is clearly not in the prime of his career anymore, but is still effective out on the field. He can occupy double teams and disrupt an offense.
The other defensive end spot is wide open following the departure of Jared Crick and will be fought between Devon Still, Christian Covington and Brandon Dunn.
LINEBACKERS
Many in Houston thought that former No. 1 pick Jadeveon Clowney would be the one providing Watt the help. Instead, it’s been more of Mercilus, who 12 sacks, which as second among 3-4 outside linebackers. He had 12 sacks, which was second for his position. His first step quickness is superb and is great at bending the edge. Mercilus also possesses lateral agility, which helps him in the run game.
I wouldn’t consider Clowney a bust, he’s dealt with some injuries, but I need to see more. He’s flashed dominance at times, but the laziness is there too. John Simon is underrated and is solid all the way around.
The energetic inside linebacker Brian Cushing is a fantastic run defender. He diagnoses quickly, navigates through traffic and explodes through ball carriers. He plays fast, is very aggressive and strong. In pass coverage, Cushing uses his speed and awareness. He breaks on the ball quickly and makes tackles in space. As a pass rusher, Cushing does a solid job of beating the a gap using his speed and strength. The starter alongside him, Bernardrick McKinney, comes off a solid rookie season.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Kareem Jackson and Johnathan Joseph are a solid pair of veteran quarterbacks. Joseph doesn’t possess the athleticism he once had, but still has it. Jackson is physically gifted, with his length and athleticism easily allowing him to be effective in press man coverage. Kevin Johnson comes off a solid rookie season where he showcased good feet and solid ball skills.
Quintin Demps and Andre Hal appear to be the two starting safeties, with Eddie Pleasant in the mix as well. Hal is a solid tackler and Demps provides a veteran presence amongst a young group of safeties. Pleasant was better last year after having a rough first two seasons.
TEAM PREVIEWS
Buffalo Bills | New England Patriots | Miami Dolphins | New York Jets
Baltimore Ravens | Cincinnati Bengals | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cleveland Browns
NFL PLAYER RANKINGS