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Welcome to the madness, Trent Brown
Following the signing of the veteran offensive tackle to a one-year deal worth $3 million, the Houston Texans have 74 players on their roster entering the upcoming NFL draft.
Some are veterans who have been locked in with the team for years. Others are newcomers looking to prove they belong in the starting lineup.
Then, there's Brown, a veteran former Pro Bowler who only played three games last season before suffering a season-ending torn right patellar tendon. Since being drafted out of Florida, Brown has started in 96 of the 103 games and played both left and right tackle tackle.
Cam Robinson, who inked a one-year, $12 million deal earlier this week, is expected to take over for Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who was traded in a blockbuster move with the Washington Commanders built around four future draft picks. Robinson isn't guaranteed to be the long-term answer for the Texans as C.J. Stroud's new blindside protector. He allowed seven sacks and gave up the sixth-most pressures among offensive tackles during his 11 games with the Vikings.
Right tackle Tytus Howard, who could shift inside to right guard depending on the progression of second-round pick Blake Fisher, is expected to start outside during training camp. As for Brown, he likely will be the permanent swing tackle, seeing reps on both sides while trying to compete for a starting role.
Signing Brown solves a small, but evident problem as Houston inches closer to being on the clocker. The draft still more than a month away, so here's an updated look at the team's (projected) depth chart after Robinson's signing.
Mills returns as Stroud's backup. Expect the Texans to add a fourth-string quarterback following the draft to bring in for training camp.
It's the Mixon show for another year. Houston could be interested in targeting a Day 3 running back for the long haul since Pierce, Taylor and Ogunbowale will all be free agents after the season.
FB1: Jakob Johnson
FB2: British Brooks
FB3: Troy Hairston
Johnson has special teams experience and a previous relationship with new Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley. There a legit chance for him to make the final 53-man roster.
With Dell missing most of the season, Houston needs at least one target in the draft to take pressure off Stroud. Kirk joining the fold should also mark the end of the short-lived Stefon Diggs era.
There's a chance for Jordan and Stover to pass up Schultz after a down season, but all three should be on the active roster. It wouldn't be surprising to see Houston take a flyer on one of the later-round tight ends for depth purposes.
Robinson might be the best fit for left tackle entering the draft, but Houston best be walking out of the draft with at least two potential starters and a backup. Look for a new left guard, tackle and potential center to come during the seven rounds next month to be at training camp in August.
Maybe the Texans shore up the interior pass rush with an early-round pick, but they're set on the edge for years to come with nine different options, including three backups who could start for most teams.
Maybe Houston added another linebacker on Day 3 to be a long-term plan as Harris enters a contract year. Al-Shaair and To'oTo'o should be good through 2026, while Niemann is taking over for Neville Hewitt as the star special teams player.
After getting paid $90 million, Stingley is locked in for the long haul as Houston's top defensive player. If Lassiter and Pire improve off promising 2024 campaigns, the Texans might have the best defense in the league.
S1: C.J. Gardner-Johnson
S2: Calen Bullock
Dime: Jimmie Ward
S4: Russ Yeast
ST: M.J. Stewart
Landing a talent in Gardner-Johnson to shore up the back end of the defense could be a game-changer in the playoffs. He's exactly the type of player that was missing once Pitre went out with a chest injury.
For the first time in 15 years, someone else besides Jon Weeks will be snapping a football. It truly is the end of an era.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Houston Texans: Updated depth chart after signing OT Trent Brown
Continue reading...
Following the signing of the veteran offensive tackle to a one-year deal worth $3 million, the Houston Texans have 74 players on their roster entering the upcoming NFL draft.
Some are veterans who have been locked in with the team for years. Others are newcomers looking to prove they belong in the starting lineup.
Then, there's Brown, a veteran former Pro Bowler who only played three games last season before suffering a season-ending torn right patellar tendon. Since being drafted out of Florida, Brown has started in 96 of the 103 games and played both left and right tackle tackle.
Cam Robinson, who inked a one-year, $12 million deal earlier this week, is expected to take over for Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who was traded in a blockbuster move with the Washington Commanders built around four future draft picks. Robinson isn't guaranteed to be the long-term answer for the Texans as C.J. Stroud's new blindside protector. He allowed seven sacks and gave up the sixth-most pressures among offensive tackles during his 11 games with the Vikings.
Right tackle Tytus Howard, who could shift inside to right guard depending on the progression of second-round pick Blake Fisher, is expected to start outside during training camp. As for Brown, he likely will be the permanent swing tackle, seeing reps on both sides while trying to compete for a starting role.
Signing Brown solves a small, but evident problem as Houston inches closer to being on the clocker. The draft still more than a month away, so here's an updated look at the team's (projected) depth chart after Robinson's signing.
Quarterback (3)
- QB1: C.J. Stroud
- QB2: Davis Mills
- QB2: Kedon Slovis
Mills returns as Stroud's backup. Expect the Texans to add a fourth-string quarterback following the draft to bring in for training camp.
Running back (5)
- RB1: Joe Mixon
- RB2: Dameon Pierce
- RB3: Dare Ogunbowale
- RB4: J.J. Taylor
- RB5: Jawhar Jordan
It's the Mixon show for another year. Houston could be interested in targeting a Day 3 running back for the long haul since Pierce, Taylor and Ogunbowale will all be free agents after the season.
Fullback (3)
FB1: Jakob Johnson
FB2: British Brooks
FB3: Troy Hairston
Johnson has special teams experience and a previous relationship with new Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley. There a legit chance for him to make the final 53-man roster.
Wide receiver (8)
- WR1: Nico Collins
- WR2: Christian Kirk
- WR3: John Metchie III
- WR4: Justin Watson
- WR5: Xavier Hutchinson
- WR6: Jared Wayne
- ST: Braxton Berrios
- Injured Reserve: Tank Dell
With Dell missing most of the season, Houston needs at least one target in the draft to take pressure off Stroud. Kirk joining the fold should also mark the end of the short-lived Stefon Diggs era.
Tight end (3)
- TE1: Dalton Schultz
- TE2: Brevin Jordan
- TE3: Cade Stover
There's a chance for Jordan and Stover to pass up Schultz after a down season, but all three should be on the active roster. It wouldn't be surprising to see Houston take a flyer on one of the later-round tight ends for depth purposes.
Offensive Line (10)
- LT: Tytus Howard, Trent Brown
- LG: Laken Tomlinson, Nick Broeker
- C: Jarrett Patterson, Juice Scruggs
- RG: Tytus Howard, Ed Ingram,
- RT: Blake FisherOR Tytus Howard, Zach Thomas
Robinson might be the best fit for left tackle entering the draft, but Houston best be walking out of the draft with at least two potential starters and a backup. Look for a new left guard, tackle and potential center to come during the seven rounds next month to be at training camp in August.
Defensive line (13)
- DE: Will Anderson Jr., Darrell Taylor, Dylan Horton, Casey Toolhill
- DT: Sheldon Rankins, Mario Edwards Jr.
- DT: Tim Settle, Kurt Hinish, Tommy Togiai
- DE: Danielle Hunter, Denico Autry, Derek Barnett, Solomon Byrd
Maybe the Texans shore up the interior pass rush with an early-round pick, but they're set on the edge for years to come with nine different options, including three backups who could start for most teams.
Linebacker (6)
- LB1: Azeez Al-Shaair, Jamal Hill
- LB2: Christian Harris, Henry To'oTo'o
- ST: Nick Niemann, Jake Hansen
Maybe Houston added another linebacker on Day 3 to be a long-term plan as Harris enters a contract year. Al-Shaair and To'oTo'o should be good through 2026, while Niemann is taking over for Neville Hewitt as the star special teams player.
Cornerback (7)
- CB1: Derek Stingley Jr.
- CB2: Kamari Lassiter
- Slot: Jalen Pitre
- CB4: Ronald Darby
- ST: Tremon Smith
- Depth: Junior Gregory, D'Angelo Ross
After getting paid $90 million, Stingley is locked in for the long haul as Houston's top defensive player. If Lassiter and Pire improve off promising 2024 campaigns, the Texans might have the best defense in the league.
Safety (5)
S1: C.J. Gardner-Johnson
S2: Calen Bullock
Dime: Jimmie Ward
S4: Russ Yeast
ST: M.J. Stewart
Landing a talent in Gardner-Johnson to shore up the back end of the defense could be a game-changer in the playoffs. He's exactly the type of player that was missing once Pitre went out with a chest injury.
Special teams (3)
- K: Ka'imi Fairbairn
- P: Tommy Townsend
- LS: Tucker Addington
For the first time in 15 years, someone else besides Jon Weeks will be snapping a football. It truly is the end of an era.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Houston Texans: Updated depth chart after signing OT Trent Brown
Continue reading...