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Updated Roster (Post-Draft)

JCTexan said:
I would say these players are locks: Hoyer, Mallett, Savage, Foster, Blue, Prosh, Hopkins, Washington, Shorts, Mumphery, Graham, Fiedorowicz, Brown, Newton, Clark, Brooks, Jones, Watt, Crick, Wilfork, Covington, Clowney, Cushing, Mohammad, Joseph, Jackson, Johnson, Moore, Bullock, Lechler, Weeks. That's 31 players. Now the players I would imagine are safe but wouldn't say they're a lock: Strong, Su'a Filo, Pagan, Mercilus, Simon, McKinney, Hal, Pleasant. That gets the number to 39.

Now for the life of me I can't figure out which RB's we should keep. None of them have impressed me. Probably should just pick two names out of a hat between Grimes, Hilliard & Polk. I could see them bringing in another RB to start the season.
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Ryan Griffin I would think is a lock...
 
badboy said:
he is only 28 but:
"Walton struggled mightily as a 16-game starter for the Giants last season. Walton's 52 games of starting experience at the pivot should earn him another chance sometime in the next month. Aug 30 - 4:49 PM" http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5835/jd-walton
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Profootballfocus agreed that Walton struggled. With Pouncey solid at C, the Giants were looking to fill both of there G positions. They tried him there, and he looked the player who has never played any position than C (which he hasn't). So they decided to save $3 million instead.
 
NastyNate said:
Ryan Griffin I would think is a lock...
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I think he has a very good chance to make the team. I didn't have him as a lock just because Graham & Fiedorowicz are the #1/#2 TE's and I could see Khari Lee being a surprise to make the team. If Khari makes the team then I would imagine Griffin is likely the guy cut because of it.
 
JCTexan said:
I could see Khari Lee being a surprise to make the team. If Khari makes the team then I would imagine Griffin is likely the guy cut because of it.
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I would be surprised if Khari Lee did NOT make the team.

To my eyes he's he's the best rookie of this year not named Kevin Johnson (but big props to Mumph for coming in and being an automatic possession guy for a rook).
 
EVOLVIST said:
I would be surprised if Khari Lee did NOT make the team.

To my eyes he's he's the best rookie of this year not named Kevin Johnson (but big props to Mumph for coming in and being an automatic possession guy for a rook).
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Do we carry 4 TE's or do you think Ryan Griffin is likely cut?
 
EVOLVIST said:
I would be surprised if Khari Lee did NOT make the team.

To my eyes he's he's the best rookie of this year not named Kevin Johnson (but big props to Mumph for coming in and being an automatic possession guy for a rook).
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Yeah the more I think about it, his play has been solid, but his Bill O'Brien impression probably is worth keeping him on the roster, even if simply for the comedic element.
 
Is Nate Washington a lock? I lean towards him making the team but he's been invisible in the games. Has he played? Also hadn't heard much about him since eay in camp.
 
xtruroyaltyx said:
Is Nate Washington a lock? I lean towards him making the team but he's been invisible in the games. Has he played? Also hadn't heard much about him since eay in camp.
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3 catches for 19 yards on 3 targets.

I think he's ultimately gonna be there, but Mumph and Worthy have made it a conversation.
 
JCTexan said:
Do we carry 4 TE's or do you think Ryan Griffin is likely cut?
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I think we carry either 6 WRs 3 TEs or 5WRs 4 TEs.

As for Washington he's always one of the first receivers pulled to get the younger guys in during preseason. He's been reportedly very good in camp though
 
Brandon420tx said:
I think we carry either 6 WRs 3 TEs or 5WRs 4 TEs.

As for Washington he's always one of the first receivers pulled to get the younger guys in during preseason. He's been reportedly very good in camp though
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Which leads me to believe he's a lock to make the team. If he wasn't I would think he would be in there with the young WR's battling for a spot. As it is, he's basically been leaving the game with the 1's.
 
I think Hopkins and Washington are the starters.

Shorts is probably the slot guy.

Then it is a dogfight for the last 2/3 spaces.
 
kiwitexansfan said:
I think Hopkins and Washington are the starters.

Shorts is probably the slot guy.

Then it is a dogfight for the last 2/3 spaces.
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I think Hopkins and Shorts are the starters and when we go 3-WR then Washington comes on and Shorts moves inside to Slot. To me, the Z and Slot positions are interchangeable. Both guys are playing off the LOS. The X is the bigger guy who needs to beat press coverage off the line.
 
xtruroyaltyx said:
Is Nate Washington a lock? I lean towards him making the team but he's been invisible in the games. Has he played? Also hadn't heard much about him since eay in camp.
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With the exception of the one long TD in the San Fran game, Shorts has been pretty low key with only one other reception, Hopkins has only caught one ball, and Washington's brought in three. I'm thinking Washington's invisible because they've seen what they need to see. My guess is that the guys that are getting a lot of action are either gaining NFL experience, in danger of not making the team, or both.
 
Brandon420tx said:
I think we carry either 6 WRs 3 TEs or 5WRs 4 TEs.

As for Washington he's always one of the first receivers pulled to get the younger guys in during preseason. He's been reportedly very good in camp though
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This could depend on whether Arian goes on the 53 from day one, or whether they IRDTR him. If it's the former, I think the receiving corp is a prime target for generating the extra spot.
 
ChampionTexan said:
With the exception of the one long TD in the San Fran game, Shorts has been pretty low key with only one other reception, Hopkins has only caught one ball, and Washington's brought in three. I'm thinking Washington's invisible because they've seen what they need to see. My guess is that the guys that are getting a lot of action are either gaining NFL experience, in danger of not making the team, or both.
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Yeah I get all of that and it's why I said I lean toward him making the team.

I just have not seen him targeted much.

Hopkins may only have the one catch but I've seen him flash. Same for shorts, mumph and some of the other guys.

Again, I think he makes it. I just haven't noticed him much.
 
Brandon420tx said:
I think we carry either 6 WRs 3 TEs or 5WRs 4 TEs.

As for Washington he's always one of the first receivers pulled to get the younger guys in during preseason. He's been reportedly very good in camp though
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Last year we ended the season with 5 WR and 4 TEs after Denham got called up from the PS. It makes me wonder if that might be the trend to start the season, too. Those were players suited up now, when Posey got activated, and Keenum was QB.

To the original question, I would cut Griff and keep Lee. Griff is like James Casey II. CJ has gotten better at blocking, but his routes are still suspect (at least from what I've seen in preseason, which might not be much). Graham still can't block worth a ****, but you want him catching the ball. Lee has been the best blocker in preseason, and in the seam we've seen him as unstoppable. I just wonder if it's been because he's going against opposing scrubs. Even if Lee is, he's supposed to dominate if he's worth his salt. And he did!

That impersonation of OB? Sure, it was funny, yet what was more impressive is that Lee never broke character. Have a man who can keep his concentration like that, and he'll make that one-handed grab, thrown behind him, sandwiched between two defenders.
 
Preseason targets.....

Blue - 2
Bonner - 3
Davis - 2
Denham - 1
Fiedorowicz - 3
Graham - 5
Griffin - 5
Grimes - 5
Hilliard - 4
Hopkins - 1
Johnson - 6
Labhart - 4
Lee - 6
Martin - 13
McFarland - 1
Mumphery - 9
Nwachukwu - 4
Polk - 10
Prosch - 1
Shorts - 2
Strong - 9
Washington - 3
Worthy - 5


Wouldn't read much into Washington/Shorts not getting much work. I think they're clearly heading the WR group (with Hopkins of course). The younger guys / fringe roster guys are getting all the work.
 
Not thinking about targets as much as noticing him. Haven't seen him flash at all.

Hopkins has the one target but he's flashed and he had the two point conversion which is not counted in the numbers.

Same for shorts and most of the other receivers.

This is just an observation. I hadn't seen Washington flash and hadn't heard much about him lately.

Game logs say he basically didn't play against San Fran, had two catches for 15 against Dev and one for 4 against Nawlins.

So in the time with Hoyer he's at one for 4.

I don't even know how many snaps he's had. I just haven't noticed him much.
 
I think we go 4 TE. I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but Khari Lee has also been lining up at FB. With his catching ability and versatility, they could do some things with him. I think Graham, Griffin, and F150 are all locks.

I was worried if it came down between Denham and Lee, but then Denham got injured and released.
 
The Pencil Neck said:
I think we go 4 TE. I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but Khari Lee has also been lining up at FB. With his catching ability and versatility, they could do some things with him. I think Graham, Griffin, and F150 are all locks.

I was worried if it came down between Denham and Lee, but then Denham got injured and released.
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Many times, there are 2 or 3 players (outside of K, P and LS) picked for ST, but they at least have to be competent backing up another position. I think Lee and James may fill those roles. Morris is another that might be under consideration.
 
Marshall said:
Many times, there are 2 or 3 players (outside of K, P and LS) picked for ST, but they at least have to be competent backing up another position. I think Lee and James may fill those roles. Morris is another that might be under consideration.
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I hadn't really noticed Bullough on ST prior to the Bronco game, but both him and Dent are really active on ST, and I think that gets them in, as well. This is also why I think Mumphery is a lock; he plays WR, but he also returns kicks and punts, and he's on kick offs and plays the gunner on punts.
 
EVOLVIST said:
Khari Lee traded to the Bears. What the ****?!!!
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PDS ‏@PatDStat 5m5 minutes ago

#Texans have traded Khari Lee to the Bears for a 6th-round selection.
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Dang!

But goes along this article by Wilson:

The Texans Have Pieces To Move For Help
Unknown.jpeg

Patrick Starr
Yesterday at 11:04 AM
With final cut down days approaching, the Houston Texans might have some pieces to move to improve their roster.

Football trades are few and far in-between but with roster cuts looming, teams will be focused on landing players who are potentially on the outs with their current team and who could instantly help them in the process. As rosters start to settle in for the final 53-man cut, the Texans, like all NFL teams, are trying to find the best way to fill roster holes in a hurry. Few, if any, NFL teams have a roster solid in all 53 spots, but the Texans will do everything they can to solidify their roster to be as solid as possible across the board.

As training camp has worn on and the preseason games have come and gone, the Texans had some potential red flags show up regarding specific positions. The lack of depth on the offensive line, outside linebacker, and the running back depth charts are slowly being exposed as the season approaches. The Texans were not going to be left out in the cold and got to work hitting the phone lines looking for help.

The Texans started working before initial cuts were underway by trading a 7th-round pick (from the Case Keenum deal with the Rams) to the Denver Broncos for veteran offensive tackle Chris Clark, adding depth to the offensive line. With Duane Brown dealing with a "thumb" injury and Xavier Su'a-Filo suffering a high ankle sprain, finding depth here was probably the biggest need for the offense. Clark gives the team a veteran with plenty of experience to fill in when needed.

With the offensive line depth figured out to a certain degree, attention could be turned to outside linebacker and the outside shot of finding running back help. The outside linebacker spot is key, especially with Jadeveon Clowney coming back from injury and the team easing him back into the lineup. They have to make sure they have an insurance policy for Clowney just in case there is any set back with him returning to the field.

With seven cornerbacks on the roster, the Texans are at an advantage with the group they consider to be a premium position. All seven can play and are worth a spot on an NFL roster.

  1. Johnathan Joseph signed an extension this offseason, expected to finish his career in Houston. Starter since 2011.
  2. Kareem Jackson signed a new four year deal this offseason. Starter since 2010, his rookie season.
  3. Kevin Johnson was the team's first round draft pick and keeping him off the field in 2015 is going to be tough.
  4. A.J. Bouye arrived to the Texans in 2013 as a rookie free agent. In 2014, he was the third cornerback in dime situations next to Jackson and Joseph.
  5. Darryl Morris was claimed by the Texans in 2014 and became a spot starter before a high ankle sprain kept him out.
  6. Jumal Rolle was claimed in the early part of 2014 from the Packers practice squad. He was tied for the team lead in interceptions last season with three.
  7. Charles James was on the Texans practice squad in 2014 and has taken full advantage of training camp and preseason, "potentially" locking him into a 53-man spot.
The group is deep but when looking at last season, the Texans kept six cornerbacks on the roster at all times. If that holds true, the Texans could easily move one of the cornerbacks to find help at another spot on their roster.

At this point, one would have to think Joseph, Jackson and Johnson are off limits and if James makes the final cut, he will be a low risk option for the near future. James has a two year deal with the Texans if he makes the team, and would be a restricted free agent when the contract is up.

Which leaves us with Bouye, Morris, and Rolle, each of whom has shown he can handle snaps in regular season games. All three are restricted free agents meaning the Texans have control of their futures, whether they will be with the Texans or not. Bouye and Morris' deals expire this coming off-season but are both restricted, while Rolle's deal will end 2017. The Texans have full control of their cornerbacks and have some cards to play with on the trade market, if need be. Bouye, Rolle and Morris could be enticing to other teams in need of cornerback help but the trio holds value for other teams who know they will have control of them for more than a season if that team was to acquire one of the players.

Whether the Texans are fielding phone calls for any players is unknown but the pieces are here to move if need be. The future of players like Lonnie Ballentine, Uzoma Nwachukwu, and Kenny Hilliard could be impacted by a decision to keep all seven cornerbacks.

This is all hypothetically speaking but if the Texans want to go get help they can use one of their cornerbacks, a premium position in the NFL, to go find more than adequate depth at outside linebacker, offensive line, or running back positions and improve the team.
Click to expand...
 
  1. Aaron Wilson ‏@AaronWilson_NFL 6m6 minutes ago
    Khari Lee should have solid opportunity to make Bears, would have likely been claimed if cut by Texans, should have role in Chicago

    Bears and Texans worked out the trade for Khari Lee last night, according to a source, after they got down to 75 players

    Bears are excited about Khari Lee, per source, team wanted an in-line blocker, plus he's a solid receiver in red-zone

  3. Texans trade undrafted tight end Khari Lee (Bowie State) to Bears for 2017 sixth-round draft pick
 
Adam Wexler: Texans 53-man roster prediction

The Houston Texans have made their cuts to reach the mandated 75-player limit on Tuesday. The 53-man roster reduction must be made by Saturday.

Here's my prediction of what the initial 53-man roster will look like.

Offense

3 QB Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, Tom Savage

No other quarterbacks were brought to training camp. There was no competition to see who would remain on the roster, Savage will be kept as part of the 53-man roster because he would be claimed if he were waived.​

5 RB/FB Arian Foster, Alfred Blue, Johnathan Grimes, Kenny Hilliard, Jay Prosch (tough cut: Chris Polk)

Arian Foster is far enough along in his rehabilitation and recovery following his groin/hernia surgery, he is not expected to be placed on injured reserve with designation to return. Alfred Blue will be the starter, with Grimes and Polk battling for the spot as the receiving option, change of pace back. Hilliard is the so-called bruiser of the bunch and the sixth round draft pick likely sticks. If released, it's likely he would be claimed before the Texans could sign him to their practice squad.​

5 WR DeAndre Hopkins, Nate Washington, Cecil Shorts, Jaelen Strong, Keith Mumphrey (tough cuts: EZ Nwachukwu, D. Johnson, C. Worthy)

While the competition was very good through the top eight receivers, there really may not be a spot for NFL-caliber players. The top five are set with Hopkins, the two veterans (Shorts and Washington) and the two draftees (Strong and Mumphrey). Nwachukwu and Johnson will be in the NFL this season, I believe it just may not be with the Texans. Worthy is likely the fastest player the Texans have and has ability as a return man. He is a strong candidate for the practice squad.​

3 TE Garrett Graham, C.J. Fiedorowicz, Ryan Griffin

There was never a competition for a roster spot among the tight ends. The three incumbents had those spots from the get-go and the team never had plans to carry a fourth tight end. Khari Lee showed lots of promise and was traded Wednesday for a 2017 sixth round draft pick. Mike McFarland and Anthony Denham were both waived/injured.​

9 OL Derek Newton, Jeff Adams, Ben Jones, Brandon Brooks, Duane Brown, Chris Clark, Xavier Su'a-Filo, Greg Mancz, Kendall Lamm (tough cut: Chad Slade, James Ferentz)

The top seven became locks when the Texans traded for tackle Chris Clark earlier in the week. Clark could be one of the starting tackles early in the season if Brown's thumb injury is not healed. Youngsters Mancz and Lamm have both impressed, and Lamm got a lot of work at tackle in the third preseason game against the Saints. He may kept as a precaution pending Brown's availability. Also, with Su'a-Filo getting limited work with the first unit in camp and then also being injured through the majority of camp, the Texans likely need to keep a ninth lineman initially.​

Defense

6 DL Jared Crick, Vince Wilfork, J.J. Watt, Jeoffrey Pagan, Louis Nix, Christian Covington

The Texans have a stout group here and a perfect mix of veterans and youth. Pagan and Nix have been fighting injuries most of their time in Houston, but have talent. Covington could prove to be a very valuable player, especially for a sixth round pick.​

4 OLB Whitney Mercilus, John Simon, Jadeveon Clowney, Lynden Trail (tough cut: Kourtnei Brown)

This is a position the Texans almost certainly be focusing on the waiver wires for players cut from other teams. Mercilus and Simon will get the bulk of the work early in the season until Clowney gets worked up to full speed. Trail is such an intriguing prospect, I believe the Texans will have onto him. Brown has made a bunch of big plays with a pair of sacks, an interception return for a touchdown and a fumble recovery, but has also made more than his share of mistakes.​

4 ILB Brian Cushing, Mike Mohammed, Akeem Dent, Benardrick McKinney (tough cuts: Justin Tuggle, Max Bullough)

Cushing looks more like the old Cushing than he has since his rookie season. Mohammed is the most underrated player on the entire team and should be the other starter. Dent has value as a veteran and special team contributor. McKinney gets the nod and should improve quickly once he returns to full health.​

7 CB Kareem Jackson, Johnathan Joseph, Kevin Johnson, A.J. Bouye, Darryl Morris, Charles James II, Jumal Rolle

The Texans only brought seven cornerbacks to camp, once they moved Andre Hal to safety. All seven are NFL talents and James has played himself onto the roster. He's shown versatility, and confidence, and brings incredible, infectious enthusiasm to the team. Keeping seven corners is more than Houston would like to, especially with the obvious emergence of rookie first round draft pick Kevin Johnson.​

4 S Rahim Moore, Eddie Pleasant, Andre Hal, Quintin Demps (tough cut: Lonnie Ballentine)

It's basically a brand new group for the Texans this season. Pleasant and Hal were both on the team a year ago, but Hal was a rookie reserve cornerback and Pleasant was the fourth safety. Rahim Moore was the big free agent acquisition so expectations are high for him and Demps was signed before the third preseason game and immediately made Stevie Brown expendable. Brown was released just days after Demps was signed. Ballentine is a promising player, but was on injured reserve last season and was not healthy through much of training camp this season.​

Specialists

3 SP Shane Lechler, Randy Bullock, Jon Weeks

These three were even more set in stone than the quarterbacks.​
 
Playoffs said:
Adam Wexler: Texans 53-man roster prediction

The Houston Texans have made their cuts to reach the mandated 75-player limit on Tuesday. The 53-man roster reduction must be made by Saturday.

Here's my prediction of what the initial 53-man roster will look like.

Offense

3 QB Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, Tom Savage

No other quarterbacks were brought to training camp. There was no competition to see who would remain on the roster, Savage will be kept as part of the 53-man roster because he would be claimed if he were waived.​
5 RB/FB Arian Foster, Alfred Blue, Johnathan Grimes, Kenny Hilliard, Jay Prosch (tough cut: Chris Polk)

Arian Foster is far enough along in his rehabilitation and recovery following his groin/hernia surgery, he is not expected to be placed on injured reserve with designation to return. Alfred Blue will be the starter, with Grimes and Polk battling for the spot as the receiving option, change of pace back. Hilliard is the so-called bruiser of the bunch and the sixth round draft pick likely sticks. If released, it's likely he would be claimed before the Texans could sign him to their practice squad.​
5 WR DeAndre Hopkins, Nate Washington, Cecil Shorts, Jaelen Strong, Keith Mumphrey (tough cuts: EZ Nwachukwu, D. Johnson, C. Worthy)

While the competition was very good through the top eight receivers, there really may not be a spot for NFL-caliber players. The top five are set with Hopkins, the two veterans (Shorts and Washington) and the two draftees (Strong and Mumphrey). Nwachukwu and Johnson will be in the NFL this season, I believe it just may not be with the Texans. Worthy is likely the fastest player the Texans have and has ability as a return man. He is a strong candidate for the practice squad.​
3 TE Garrett Graham, C.J. Fiedorowicz, Ryan Griffin

There was never a competition for a roster spot among the tight ends. The three incumbents had those spots from the get-go and the team never had plans to carry a fourth tight end. Khari Lee showed lots of promise and was traded Wednesday for a 2017 sixth round draft pick. Mike McFarland and Anthony Denham were both waived/injured.​
9 OL Derek Newton, Jeff Adams, Ben Jones, Brandon Brooks, Duane Brown, Chris Clark, Xavier Su'a-Filo, Greg Mancz, Kendall Lamm (tough cut: Chad Slade, James Ferentz)

The top seven became locks when the Texans traded for tackle Chris Clark earlier in the week. Clark could be one of the starting tackles early in the season if Brown's thumb injury is not healed. Youngsters Mancz and Lamm have both impressed, and Lamm got a lot of work at tackle in the third preseason game against the Saints. He may kept as a precaution pending Brown's availability. Also, with Su'a-Filo getting limited work with the first unit in camp and then also being injured through the majority of camp, the Texans likely need to keep a ninth lineman initially.​
Defense

6 DL Jared Crick, Vince Wilfork, J.J. Watt, Jeoffrey Pagan, Louis Nix, Christian Covington

The Texans have a stout group here and a perfect mix of veterans and youth. Pagan and Nix have been fighting injuries most of their time in Houston, but have talent. Covington could prove to be a very valuable player, especially for a sixth round pick.​
4 OLB Whitney Mercilus, John Simon, Jadeveon Clowney, Lynden Trail (tough cut: Kourtnei Brown)

This is a position the Texans almost certainly be focusing on the waiver wires for players cut from other teams. Mercilus and Simon will get the bulk of the work early in the season until Clowney gets worked up to full speed. Trail is such an intriguing prospect, I believe the Texans will have onto him. Brown has made a bunch of big plays with a pair of sacks, an interception return for a touchdown and a fumble recovery, but has also made more than his share of mistakes.​
4 ILB Brian Cushing, Mike Mohammed, Akeem Dent, Benardrick McKinney (tough cuts: Justin Tuggle, Max Bullough)

Cushing looks more like the old Cushing than he has since his rookie season. Mohammed is the most underrated player on the entire team and should be the other starter. Dent has value as a veteran and special team contributor. McKinney gets the nod and should improve quickly once he returns to full health.​
7 CB Kareem Jackson, Johnathan Joseph, Kevin Johnson, A.J. Bouye, Darryl Morris, Charles James II, Jumal Rolle

The Texans only brought seven cornerbacks to camp, once they moved Andre Hal to safety. All seven are NFL talents and James has played himself onto the roster. He's shown versatility, and confidence, and brings incredible, infectious enthusiasm to the team. Keeping seven corners is more than Houston would like to, especially with the obvious emergence of rookie first round draft pick Kevin Johnson.​
4 S Rahim Moore, Eddie Pleasant, Andre Hal, Quintin Demps (tough cut: Lonnie Ballentine)

It's basically a brand new group for the Texans this season. Pleasant and Hal were both on the team a year ago, but Hal was a rookie reserve cornerback and Pleasant was the fourth safety. Rahim Moore was the big free agent acquisition so expectations are high for him and Demps was signed before the third preseason game and immediately made Stevie Brown expendable. Brown was released just days after Demps was signed. Ballentine is a promising player, but was on injured reserve last season and was not healthy through much of training camp this season.​
Specialists

3 SP Shane Lechler, Randy Bullock, Jon Weeks

These three were even more set in stone than the quarterbacks.​
Click to expand...

I agree with this roster the most.

I would change a few things, but overall I like it.
 
Playoffs said:
Adam Wexler: Texans 53-man roster prediction

The Houston Texans have made their cuts to reach the mandated 75-player limit on Tuesday. The 53-man roster reduction must be made by Saturday.

Here's my prediction of what the initial 53-man roster will look like.

Offense

3 QB Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, Tom Savage

No other quarterbacks were brought to training camp. There was no competition to see who would remain on the roster, Savage will be kept as part of the 53-man roster because he would be claimed if he were waived.​
5 RB/FB Arian Foster, Alfred Blue, Johnathan Grimes, Kenny Hilliard, Jay Prosch (tough cut: Chris Polk)

Arian Foster is far enough along in his rehabilitation and recovery following his groin/hernia surgery, he is not expected to be placed on injured reserve with designation to return. Alfred Blue will be the starter, with Grimes and Polk battling for the spot as the receiving option, change of pace back. Hilliard is the so-called bruiser of the bunch and the sixth round draft pick likely sticks. If released, it's likely he would be claimed before the Texans could sign him to their practice squad.​
5 WR DeAndre Hopkins, Nate Washington, Cecil Shorts, Jaelen Strong, Keith Mumphrey (tough cuts: EZ Nwachukwu, D. Johnson, C. Worthy)

While the competition was very good through the top eight receivers, there really may not be a spot for NFL-caliber players. The top five are set with Hopkins, the two veterans (Shorts and Washington) and the two draftees (Strong and Mumphrey). Nwachukwu and Johnson will be in the NFL this season, I believe it just may not be with the Texans. Worthy is likely the fastest player the Texans have and has ability as a return man. He is a strong candidate for the practice squad.​
3 TE Garrett Graham, C.J. Fiedorowicz, Ryan Griffin

There was never a competition for a roster spot among the tight ends. The three incumbents had those spots from the get-go and the team never had plans to carry a fourth tight end. Khari Lee showed lots of promise and was traded Wednesday for a 2017 sixth round draft pick. Mike McFarland and Anthony Denham were both waived/injured.​
9 OL Derek Newton, Jeff Adams, Ben Jones, Brandon Brooks, Duane Brown, Chris Clark, Xavier Su'a-Filo, Greg Mancz, Kendall Lamm (tough cut: Chad Slade, James Ferentz)

The top seven became locks when the Texans traded for tackle Chris Clark earlier in the week. Clark could be one of the starting tackles early in the season if Brown's thumb injury is not healed. Youngsters Mancz and Lamm have both impressed, and Lamm got a lot of work at tackle in the third preseason game against the Saints. He may kept as a precaution pending Brown's availability. Also, with Su'a-Filo getting limited work with the first unit in camp and then also being injured through the majority of camp, the Texans likely need to keep a ninth lineman initially.​
Defense

6 DL Jared Crick, Vince Wilfork, J.J. Watt, Jeoffrey Pagan, Louis Nix, Christian Covington

The Texans have a stout group here and a perfect mix of veterans and youth. Pagan and Nix have been fighting injuries most of their time in Houston, but have talent. Covington could prove to be a very valuable player, especially for a sixth round pick.​
4 OLB Whitney Mercilus, John Simon, Jadeveon Clowney, Lynden Trail (tough cut: Kourtnei Brown)

This is a position the Texans almost certainly be focusing on the waiver wires for players cut from other teams. Mercilus and Simon will get the bulk of the work early in the season until Clowney gets worked up to full speed. Trail is such an intriguing prospect, I believe the Texans will have onto him. Brown has made a bunch of big plays with a pair of sacks, an interception return for a touchdown and a fumble recovery, but has also made more than his share of mistakes.​
4 ILB Brian Cushing, Mike Mohammed, Akeem Dent, Benardrick McKinney (tough cuts: Justin Tuggle, Max Bullough)

Cushing looks more like the old Cushing than he has since his rookie season. Mohammed is the most underrated player on the entire team and should be the other starter. Dent has value as a veteran and special team contributor. McKinney gets the nod and should improve quickly once he returns to full health.​
7 CB Kareem Jackson, Johnathan Joseph, Kevin Johnson, A.J. Bouye, Darryl Morris, Charles James II, Jumal Rolle

The Texans only brought seven cornerbacks to camp, once they moved Andre Hal to safety. All seven are NFL talents and James has played himself onto the roster. He's shown versatility, and confidence, and brings incredible, infectious enthusiasm to the team. Keeping seven corners is more than Houston would like to, especially with the obvious emergence of rookie first round draft pick Kevin Johnson.​
4 S Rahim Moore, Eddie Pleasant, Andre Hal, Quintin Demps (tough cut: Lonnie Ballentine)

It's basically a brand new group for the Texans this season. Pleasant and Hal were both on the team a year ago, but Hal was a rookie reserve cornerback and Pleasant was the fourth safety. Rahim Moore was the big free agent acquisition so expectations are high for him and Demps was signed before the third preseason game and immediately made Stevie Brown expendable. Brown was released just days after Demps was signed. Ballentine is a promising player, but was on injured reserve last season and was not healthy through much of training camp this season.​
Specialists

3 SP Shane Lechler, Randy Bullock, Jon Weeks

These three were even more set in stone than the quarterbacks.​
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I'm pretty ok with this roster. I would rather keep Biullough than Dent, though. I wonder if Worthy will make it through waivers to get the Texans PS. I hope so.
 
I disagree that Hilliard is uncuttable. Even if he's claimed on waivers, young talented HBs are available all over the NFL and we should be able to snag one for the PS or off anothers should the need arise
 
Playoffs said:
Adam Wexler: Texans 53-man roster prediction

The Houston Texans have made their cuts to reach the mandated 75-player limit on Tuesday. The 53-man roster reduction must be made by Saturday.

Here's my prediction of what the initial 53-man roster will look like.

Offense

3 QB Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, Tom Savage

No other quarterbacks were brought to training camp. There was no competition to see who would remain on the roster, Savage will be kept as part of the 53-man roster because he would be claimed if he were waived.​
5 RB/FB Arian Foster, Alfred Blue, Johnathan Grimes, Kenny Hilliard, Jay Prosch (tough cut: Chris Polk)

Arian Foster is far enough along in his rehabilitation and recovery following his groin/hernia surgery, he is not expected to be placed on injured reserve with designation to return. Alfred Blue will be the starter, with Grimes and Polk battling for the spot as the receiving option, change of pace back. Hilliard is the so-called bruiser of the bunch and the sixth round draft pick likely sticks. If released, it's likely he would be claimed before the Texans could sign him to their practice squad.​
5 WR DeAndre Hopkins, Nate Washington, Cecil Shorts, Jaelen Strong, Keith Mumphrey (tough cuts: EZ Nwachukwu, D. Johnson, C. Worthy)

While the competition was very good through the top eight receivers, there really may not be a spot for NFL-caliber players. The top five are set with Hopkins, the two veterans (Shorts and Washington) and the two draftees (Strong and Mumphrey). Nwachukwu and Johnson will be in the NFL this season, I believe it just may not be with the Texans. Worthy is likely the fastest player the Texans have and has ability as a return man. He is a strong candidate for the practice squad.​
3 TE Garrett Graham, C.J. Fiedorowicz, Ryan Griffin

There was never a competition for a roster spot among the tight ends. The three incumbents had those spots from the get-go and the team never had plans to carry a fourth tight end. Khari Lee showed lots of promise and was traded Wednesday for a 2017 sixth round draft pick. Mike McFarland and Anthony Denham were both waived/injured.​
9 OL Derek Newton, Jeff Adams, Ben Jones, Brandon Brooks, Duane Brown, Chris Clark, Xavier Su'a-Filo, Greg Mancz, Kendall Lamm (tough cut: Chad Slade, James Ferentz)

The top seven became locks when the Texans traded for tackle Chris Clark earlier in the week. Clark could be one of the starting tackles early in the season if Brown's thumb injury is not healed. Youngsters Mancz and Lamm have both impressed, and Lamm got a lot of work at tackle in the third preseason game against the Saints. He may kept as a precaution pending Brown's availability. Also, with Su'a-Filo getting limited work with the first unit in camp and then also being injured through the majority of camp, the Texans likely need to keep a ninth lineman initially.​
Defense

6 DL Jared Crick, Vince Wilfork, J.J. Watt, Jeoffrey Pagan, Louis Nix, Christian Covington

The Texans have a stout group here and a perfect mix of veterans and youth. Pagan and Nix have been fighting injuries most of their time in Houston, but have talent. Covington could prove to be a very valuable player, especially for a sixth round pick.​
4 OLB Whitney Mercilus, John Simon, Jadeveon Clowney, Lynden Trail (tough cut: Kourtnei Brown)

This is a position the Texans almost certainly be focusing on the waiver wires for players cut from other teams. Mercilus and Simon will get the bulk of the work early in the season until Clowney gets worked up to full speed. Trail is such an intriguing prospect, I believe the Texans will have onto him. Brown has made a bunch of big plays with a pair of sacks, an interception return for a touchdown and a fumble recovery, but has also made more than his share of mistakes.​
4 ILB Brian Cushing, Mike Mohammed, Akeem Dent, Benardrick McKinney (tough cuts: Justin Tuggle, Max Bullough)

Cushing looks more like the old Cushing than he has since his rookie season. Mohammed is the most underrated player on the entire team and should be the other starter. Dent has value as a veteran and special team contributor. McKinney gets the nod and should improve quickly once he returns to full health.​
7 CB Kareem Jackson, Johnathan Joseph, Kevin Johnson, A.J. Bouye, Darryl Morris, Charles James II, Jumal Rolle

The Texans only brought seven cornerbacks to camp, once they moved Andre Hal to safety. All seven are NFL talents and James has played himself onto the roster. He's shown versatility, and confidence, and brings incredible, infectious enthusiasm to the team. Keeping seven corners is more than Houston would like to, especially with the obvious emergence of rookie first round draft pick Kevin Johnson.​
4 S Rahim Moore, Eddie Pleasant, Andre Hal, Quintin Demps (tough cut: Lonnie Ballentine)

It's basically a brand new group for the Texans this season. Pleasant and Hal were both on the team a year ago, but Hal was a rookie reserve cornerback and Pleasant was the fourth safety. Rahim Moore was the big free agent acquisition so expectations are high for him and Demps was signed before the third preseason game and immediately made Stevie Brown expendable. Brown was released just days after Demps was signed. Ballentine is a promising player, but was on injured reserve last season and was not healthy through much of training camp this season.​
Specialists

3 SP Shane Lechler, Randy Bullock, Jon Weeks

These three were even more set in stone than the quarterbacks.​
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I can't argue with your selections. Outside of injury or breakout/breakdown in the final game with Dallas. It looks right to me.

There are players I want to keep, but none I want to replace.
 
Mollywhopper said:
And go into the season with only two true healthy running backs?
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Yeah, why not? We don't really need 7 CBs to rotate through an entire game. James would probably be #6 CB on the team, so not quite a gameday inactive player, but not really affecting the game on defense all that much. Having the versatility of a CB/RB/Special Teams player would be really nice. With only 45 active roster spots, we need players that can be flexible and contribute in different ways. If he gets 10 plays on offense as a RB, 10 plays as a CB, and all the special teams gunner/coverage plays, he should end up with a balanced workload each game. Not sure you want him on the field as a CB for that many plays though, he still needs to grow and develop on that side.
 
xtruroyaltyx said:
I agree with this roster the most.

I would change a few things, but overall I like it.
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Me too

I do think Polk makes it over Hilliard. I also could see a CB traded for a RB or OLB. Or one of these positions being picked up on the WW.

I really want Worthy to make the team. (He's what they hoped Holliday was.) But I cant find a spot for him. Maybe Foster goes on the PUP.
 
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