I think most of us are struggling with the Texans' deals and value received for outgoing players. The only trade I think they clearly came out on top with is the Carlos Hyde trade and he is no longer on the roster. But they have been adding players, though in some cases overpaid players. If we take out contracts, trades, value and all that out of the conversation; how does the 2020 Texans compare to the 2019 version. Every team should be better on paper than the previous year. Are they really THAT worse? Let's discuss: QB 2019: Deshaun Watson and AJ McCarron 2020: Deshaun Watson and AJ McCarron SAME RB 2019: Carlos Hyde, Duke Johnson, Taiwan Jones 2020: David Johnson, Duke Johnson, Buddy Howell WR 2019: Deandre Hopkins, Will Fuller, Kenny Stills, Deandre Carter, Keke Coutee 2020: Brandin Cooks, Will Fuller, Kenny Stills, Randall Cobb, Isaiah Coulter TE 2019: Darren Fells, Jordan Akins, Jordan Thomas 2020: Darren Fells, Kahale Warring, Jordan Akins OL 2019: Laremy Tunsil, Zac Fulton, Nick Martin, Max Scharping, Tytus Howard, Greg Mancz, Senio Kelemete, Roderick Johnson, Chris Clark 2020: Laremy Tunsil, Zac Fulton, Nick Martin, Max Scharping, Tytus Howard, Greg Mancz, Senio Kelemete, Charlie Heck, Roderick Johnson DL: 2019: JJ Watt, DJ Reader, Brandon Dunn, Angelo Blackson, Charles Omenihu, Carlos Watkins 2020: JJ Watt, Brandon Dunn, Angelo Blackson, Ross Blacklock, Tim Jernigan, Charles Omenihu Edge 2019: Whitney Mercilus, Brennan Scarlett, Jacob Martin, Barkevious Mingo 2020: Whitney Mercilus, Brennan Scarlett, Jacob Martin, John Greenard LB 2019: Benardrick McKinney, Zach Cunningham, Dylan Cole 2020: Benardrick McKinney, Zach Cunningham, Dylan Cole SAME CB 2019: Bradley Roby, Gareon Conley, Lonnie Johnson, Vernon Hargraves, Jonathan Joseph 2020: Bradley Roby, Gareon Conley, Lonnie Johnson, John Reid, Vernon Hargrave S 2019: Justin Reid, Tashaun Gipson, Jahleel Addai 2020: Justin Reid, Eric Murray, Michael Thomas, Jaylen Watkins
The O-line, D-line are deeper. So is the Secondary. WR are deeper, but you have to replace Hopkins’ production. There are players at RB (Hogdon and Phillips) that could really make a difference. This team is better overall. People are going harp on Hopkins, but until we see them on the field...we won’t know.
Rearranging chairs on the Titanic Brian. Same as it ever was Brian. 9-7/10-6, first round fodder. PS: Chiefs just scored again.
Only you would think this team is better overall. O-line is pretty much the same. Can't expect much more out of the rookie Heck than we can out of Roderick Johnson. Cobb, on paper, is an upgrade from Coutee but the drop-off between Hopkins and Cook is more than the upgrade. The bench at RB that you mention are just about the same as last year. For what this team likes to do, I prefer Hyde/Duke to Johnson/Johnson. All in all, it's not as bad when you don't consider the lopsided trades. But like I said, teams should be getting better every year. Texans still have some work to do; but I still expect them to contend for the division title again ( Yeah! ) QB-Same. RB- slight drop-off WR- slight drop-off TE-expect the same OL-expect the same DL- slight dropoff (hoping Jernigan picks up where he left off last year and the rookie eventually puts it together) Edge - upgrade (rookie better come through) LB-expect the same CB- slight upgrade S-dropoff Hopefully they take the remaining of the offseason to shore up the safety and d-lineman positions.
Hijacking with my comments. Same yes but one step closer to having to cut Deshaun a giant check. Arguably worse. Hyde was a workhorse. Johnson is a shadow of his former self. Legit worse. Deeper but Cooks and Cobb do not replace Hop, not even close really. Maybe better? At least a year of growth in a position of youth. Reader leaving hurts. Watt isn't getting better. Worse. Big bunch of meh.
I’m fine with trading a pick in the 20’s for Tunsil & Stills. Don’t love the Hopkins trade but there were obstacles (finding a team that could pay him the $20 mil/year he deserves) but the return ultimately for Cooks, Johnson & Blacklock is not as terrible of a return as people think on here.
The biggest thing the Texans will have going for them this season is continuity on the offensive line. If Watson can take another step forward, Johnson has a solid comeback season and Fuller stays healthy this offensive can be top 7 easy. A lot of ifs but definitely doable.
It's not Billy Bob's job to find a team to pay Hopkins. That's the lie he's telling now. Billy Bob's job as GM was to net the best return for the Texans. No GM in the NFL would pay $10 million for an injured washed up RB who was a backup. He's either lying, incompetent, or both. Either way it's time for him to go.
So if the RB is not "washed up", I guess you will admit that you are wrong? I have no clue how Johnson will perform. I guess we will see.
QB- Hopefully Watson grows and is better, if he doesn't this grade = Not good enough RB- Worse, if DJ bounces back (Doubtful) better. WR- Deeper and more dangerous. Cobb + best slot since the teams inception. OL- Better, more continuity and Howard being back is a big plus. TE- Same, with a chance to be better since Warring is going to get his shot next yr. DL- Better. More interior pass rush and depth Edge- Same but more depth. CB's Same but possibly better with better health. Reid give them the option to not have to play Hargreaves. S- Worse, losing Gipson hurt, McClain said they're looking at adding another vet S. ST's- Better
If he is washed will you admit you’re wrong and stop defending his moves? I hope to god we’re all wrong and David bounces back, but regardless I think it was dumb because of how much he costs and that Arizona wanted to get rid of him/would have cut him but I’m always rooting for the Texans so I hope dj comes out balling and we all forget about the trade because of how well he plays
It will all come down to health, and not just the WRs (which is important). We had bad injury luck last year across the O-line, secondary, and to Watt. In spite of BOB finding ways to hamper this team, I think we are better than last year. We sure as hell haven't come to close to maximizing the team under Watson's rookie contract, but I like the 2020 team. I think the issue is our division and AFC rivals have also gotten better.
QB is not the same, it should be a lot better and will determine how improved the team will be. OL also has a lot of room for growth. All of that would keep the defense off the field.
I for one actually think he’s gonna have a bounce back season. He was still averaging close to 100 yards from scrimmage a game before injury last year. He’s still one of the best pass catching backs in the league. His injuries have mostly been to his wrists. I’d be way more scared if he was coming off a severe leg injury. Also Texans offensive line is better than the Cardinals.