No one knows how players will performnext level, but we're at least picking the right positions. QB... obvious ILB.... we can't cover TE's RB.... Miller can't handle 300 carries, Blue just isn't good enough OL.... obvious
Lorenzo Jerome is still available. UDFA? Dare them get two late safeties? Aviante Collins is also still undrafted.
Looking at what the Texans still need to fill in holes on the depth chart and too make luxury upgrades with the 20+ million the Texans will still have in cap space after signing these draft picks: OT (MUST): Ryan Clady, King Dunlap, Sebastion Vollmer, June 1st Cuts CB (I still think Texans should add a vet. There's five on the depth chart (assuming Decoud is one of them) and they might be better suited with six. Robert Nelson should be an easy upgrade with all that's available): Jason McCourty, Sam Shields, Tramaine Brock, Brandon Flowers, Alterraun Verner, Leon Hall. Possibly even better talent on the way with the huge run of DB's taken in the draft. Safety (Hal, Dillon, Pleasant, Moore, Decoud is a pretty good rotation. They could use an experienced vet though. Drummond & Ballentine are servicable on special teams but there is probably upgrades available now and about to be available): Jairus Byrd, Aaron Williams, Corey Graham, Daimion Stafford, Kendrick Lewis OLB (This is a luxury upgrade but there's probably better talent out there than Tony Washington taking up a roster spot): Trent Cole, Erik Walden, Paul Kruger, Elvis Dumervil, DeAndre Levy QB: Jay Cutler, Colin Kaepernick or Ryan Fitzpatrick are better chances of winning if Savage breaks down than Brandon Weeden
Taking a stab at what the current 53 looks like post-draft. Certainly with all the cap space, talent that's currently available and what will become available through cuts over the next few weeks, they will still be able to find upgrades. Offense (25): QB (3) Savage, Watson, Weeden FB (1) Prosch HB (4) L. Miller, Foreman, Ervin, Hunt TE (3) CJF, Griffin, Anderson WR (5) Nuk, W. Fuller, B. Miller, Strong, Williams, (Ervin), (Hunt) OT (4) Brown, (FA TBD), Clark, Davenport G (3) Su'a-Filo, Mancz, Allen, (K. Fuller) C (2) Martin, K. Fuller, (Mancz) Blue, Mumphery, Lamm, Slade are probably on the way out Defense (25): DE (4) Watt, Clowney, Covington, Heath NT (2) Reader, Watkins OLB (4) Mercilus, Cunningham, Scarlett, Washington ILB (4) McKinney, Cushing, Peters, Bullough CB (5) Joseph, Jackson, Johnson, (FA TBD), Nelson S (6) Hal, Dillon, Decoud, Pleasant, Moore, Drummond OR Ballentine Dunn, Drummond or Ballentine probably on the way out Lechler Novak LS
Cunningham is ilb, probably will classify clowney as olb on he depth chart even though he'll have his hand in the dirt during passing situations is my guess, and Drummond got a lot of playing time last year for a guy that you have as a cut. Still a long way to go but honestly looks pretty likely depending on free agency adds off of the street
Based on win total over/under lines, Texans (8.5) currently predicted to finish 3rd in division behind Titans (9.5) and Colts (9).
That's bad. Where did you see this? If we finish third and then go into next year without a first or second round pick.... Yikes
Sean Pendergast put the lines up from a sports book in vegas today on Twitter. For the record, he's taking the under.
That number actually jumped up after the draft. See: Andrews said he and his staff had the most trouble setting the number on the Houston Texans. They settled on 8.5, a number slightly upgraded because of the pick of quarterback Deshaun Watson in the first round of the NFL draft. "The Texans were the only team that I allowed the draft to impact my power ratings," Andrews said. http://www.espn.com/chalk/story/_/i...guars-liked-bettor-go-initial-2017-win-totals
8.5 is the number I referenced. It's worse actually that they treat the draft neutral for the other teams and gave us a bump for it. That means they REALLY don't think much of the Texans. Makes sense though for vegas because the advanced metrics said we overachieved bigly last year.
I wanted to point out that actually thought the team drafted well. I know they were like 8-2 in close games and they don't think that can be replicated. But I think a lot of those close wins were because the team was playing conservatively and protecting a lead. If this team finishes with 8 or 9 wins, it is going ton be a really long off-season.
Under the assumption. They bump it to 8.5, expect a lot of people to go - oh yeah, they're division got better, Texans overachieved last year and won't be anywhere near as good plus first year rookie. Let's go under 8.5. #squarebettors They'll get more action for U8.5 from the average bettor.
The Colts had a killer draft. You never know with their suspect O-Line and their usually suspect defense, but they could easily be much improved this season.
One think people either forget or don't realize about Chris Clark is that he played well replacing Duane Brown to start the season. Not spectacular but he was suitable. His problem is when he plays on the left side. Another factor in the o-line is David Quessenberry. He played tackle in college and has probably lost too much weight to be in consideration as a guard. If he can, he'll be competing for RT like he was right before the cancer diagnosis. "“I’m a little lighter but I feel good at this weight," Quessenberry said. "We’ll continue to crush these workouts and see what happens.” As far as where he'll play on the line, Quessenberry stressed that he's flexible. He was projected to compete for a right tackle spot before the lymphoma diagnosis in 2014. “I really like the offensive line position in general – tackle, guard, center," Quessenberry said. "I think I take pride in being able to play them all. Wherever I can help the team.” He also said the 'nasty streak' he played with wasn't affected by the chemotherapy. “Yeah, it’s still there,” Quessenberry said with grin." http://www.houstontexans.com/news/a...ootball-/4a361b7e-f9e5-4050-a205-ec8b56c61ff7 It's no joke to get back into playing after what he's gone through but he might surprise everyone.
I hope he's available, that would be a sensational comeback story and you know...good for his health and all. Not something I'd be willing to count on. Basically would be finding a thousand bucks on the floor of a casino. Before his trials he was thought of pretty well though, so hopefully the time off and condition didn't destroy that ability. Would be a HUGE boost to this team and OL if he was able to make that comeback. We'll see. Weeden and Cutler are basically the same player to me, except Cutler is a crybaby pouter.
