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53 man roster (pre draft)

Childress79

Waterboy
Between working from home and the Texans activity thus far this offseason, I have been much more focused on the team. I have always approached the draft and free agency through the lens of needs(ie they need Oline help or pass rushers). Recently (after reading this: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1640782-the-anatomy-of-a-53-man-roster-in-the-nfl) I have changed my focus by looking at the 53 man roster to determine where the team might look to add players. Anyway, here is where I see things now and how, I believe, that impacts the rest of the offseason:

O-line: Given the flexibility they have along the OL, I believe the Texans could roll with 8 lineman. I'd go with 9 since I want a few developmental guys
1. Tunsil: Starting LT and most important player in position group
2. Howard: Starting RT who can play either OG position if necessary
3. R. Johnson: Swing OT/Backup LT
4. B. Qvale: Primarily backup RT who can play some OG
5. Martin: Starting C
6. Fulton: Starting RG who can play at either OG and C as well
7. Scharping: Starting LG who might be able to play some OT
8. Kelemete/Mancz/Rookie
9. Kelemete/Mancz/Rookie

In my view, the Texans have space to add 2 prospects to the O-line (if they dropped Mancz and Kelemete as I would).
 

Childress79

Waterboy
Skill Positions: 15 players (2 QBs, 4 RBs, 3 TEs & 6 WRs)
  1. Watson: The franchise at this point.
  2. McCarron: A capable backup QB
  3. Da. Johnson: Probably the starter at RB. Hopefully he returns to form from several years back.
  4. Du. Johnson: 3rd down back with positional flexibility
  5. Rookie/Higdon/Howell: Likely a short yardage back or a special teamer.
  6. Gillaspia: FB who mostly plays on special teams
  7. Fells: Hopefully repeats last season’s performance. Leads most competitive group on roster
  8. Akins/Thomas/Warring: Possibly most difficult roster cut.
  9. Akins/Thomas/Warring: Possibly most difficult roster cut.
  10. Cooks: Lock to make roster, probably starter at WR
  11. Fuller: Lock to make roster, probably starter at WR
  12. Cobb: Lock to make roster, probably starting slot WR
  13. Stills: Unless he is traded he will be on the roster
  14. Coutee/Carter: I think one of them is gone and possibly both depending on how the draft goes
  15. Rookie/Whitney/Mitchell/Hansen: My money is on a draft pick for this spo
I see 2 possible spots at offensive skill positions. 1 at RB where I think Higdon and Howell are vulnerable to being cut and 1 at WR where I don’t think the Texans are committed to Whitney, Mitchell or Hansen. Additional spots could be available at WR depending on the Texans view of Coutee and Deandre Carter and whether they keep or trade Stills.
 

Childress79

Waterboy
Defensive Front: I think the Texans carry 16 players in the defensive front (7 linemen and 9 LBs)
  1. Watt: Starting DE
  2. Dunn: Starting NT
  3. Jernigan: Starting DE
  4. Blackson: Backup DE/NT
  5. Omenihu: Backup DE
  6. Watkins/Rookie DE: Rookie wouldform piece of core future DL (post Watt) along with Omenihu
  7. Vanderdoes/Rookie NT: Unlikely to get many snaps behind Dunn, Blackson and Jernigan
  8. McKinney: Starting ILB
  9. Cunningham: Starting ILB
  10. Cole: ILB Depth/Special teamer
  11. Adams: ILB Depth/Special teamer
  12. Kalambayi: ILB Depth/Special teamer
  13. Mercilus: Starting Jack
  14. Scarlett: Likely OLB starter
  15. Martin: Could push Scarlett for OLB spot, situational pass rusher at worst
  16. Rookie: Needs to be situational pass rusher at worst

    Depending on your view of Watkins and Vanderdoes the Texans could have room for 1 or 2 d-linemen on the roster. They really need to find an OLB that can rush the passer with hopefully room to grow into more.
 

Childress79

Waterboy
Secondary: Since this is where a lot of your special teams come from I would expect the Texans to carry 9 or 10 players here.
  1. Roby: Starting CB
  2. Conley: Starting CB
  3. Hargreaves: Nickel #1
  4. Johnson: Backup CB/NB
  5. Gaines/Crossen/Rookie: Backup CB/special teams
  6. Reid: Starting FS
  7. Gipson: Starting SS
  8. Watkins: safety/CB/Nickel depth and special teams
  9. Murray: safety/CB/Nickel depth and special teams
  10. Moore: special teams
Barring a premium pick being spent on a secondary player, I do not see much room here for any additional players. Surprisingly, it appears to me that the Texans are relying on improvement from within to rectify an atrocious secondary from last season.
 

Childress79

Waterboy
TL;DR: The Texans roster is mostly complete. The following position groups could use reinforcements:

OL: Kelemete and Mancz’s spots could be had. Room for 2 picks

WR: Stills situation is up in the air and Coutee and Carter do not have firm holds on their spots. 2, maybe 3 spots for draft picks.

RB: Texans are in need of a short yardage back. Special teams ability is likely helpful. Likely a spot for a pick.

TE: No need

QB: No need

DL: Vanderdoes and Watkins are probably bubble players to make team next season so there are 2 possible spots.

ILB/OLB: There is room for at least 1 OLB. ILB is pretty full.

Secondary: Competition would be tough for a rookie player (would have multiple vets they would have to beat out). Would likely have to be a high pick to make the team given the current players on the roster.
 

beerlover

Hall of Fame
Think you hit on an important facet and that is building your draft board for war room usage. Problem I see is since Rick Smith left is less focus on BPA and more on need. Gaine was a pawn for O'Brian's insistence on addressing positions of need. Unlike a lot of war rooms I didn't see a lot of conviction or unity in previous selections. Doubt Gaine in his heart of hearts ever agreed that he was selecting the BPA more of BPA for a need that fit O'Brian's system, whatever the hell that is?

In minority here but biggest need now is to rebuild DL. Last year was the OL. Reader loss is a devastating one for this unit going forward. You need to resign your breakthrough draft picks and keep the continuity and trust in players developing. With that said, would seriously find a consensus in the war room if all draft grades equal to take interior lineman with 40th pick. Besides Reader gone, know JJ Watt is nearing the end of his NFL playing career. This position also requires significant developmental time, probably a reason O'Brian would pass on DL because his job will be under such scrutiny.

Second would be the secondary. Need a press corner and slot, quick explosive corner.

Third look for fundamentally technician on the OL. Not looking for huge upside more of a plug and play guy like last years Max Scharping.

Deep receiver class so later rounds diamond in the rough and special teams player.

Also consider the OLB/DE 3rd rd. on if BPA.
 

Childress79

Waterboy
Wasn't Ejiofor already underwhelming athletically and injury prone before he tore his ACL? I'd rather expect nothing and be pleasantly surprised than the other way around.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Think you hit on an important facet and that is building your draft board for war room usage. Problem I see is since Rick Smith left is less focus on BPA and more on need. Gaine was a pawn for O'Brian's insistence on addressing positions of need. Unlike a lot of war rooms I didn't see a lot of conviction or unity in previous selections. Doubt Gaine in his heart of hearts ever agreed that he was selecting the BPA more of BPA for a need that fit O'Brian's system, whatever the hell that is?

In minority here but biggest need now is to rebuild DL. Last year was the OL. Reader loss is a devastating one for this unit going forward. You need to resign your breakthrough draft picks and keep the continuity and trust in players developing. With that said, would seriously find a consensus in the war room if all draft grades equal to take interior lineman with 40th pick. Besides Reader gone, know JJ Watt is nearing the end of his NFL playing career. This position also requires significant developmental time, probably a reason O'Brian would pass on DL because his job will be under such scrutiny.

Second would be the secondary. Need a press corner and slot, quick explosive corner.

Third look for fundamentally technician on the OL. Not looking for huge upside more of a plug and play guy like last years Max Scharping.

Deep receiver class so later rounds diamond in the rough and special teams player.

Also consider the OLB/DE 3rd rd. on if BPA.
You don't think Gaine showed conviction in picking Howard?

Agreed about fixing the OL and finding someone to cover the TE. Also on board with drafting heavy on the DL.

If they come out of this draft with an edge/CB/NT I will be happy.

Would you be happy with a draft like this

Rd2 Elliot
Rd3 Zuniga
Rd. 4. Robertson
Rd. 5 Blackmon

I would be very happy.

Of course if Delpit or Gladney is there at 40 that's my pick.
 

austins23

Hall of Fame
This team has several holes to fill. IMO, you draft the best player at #40. If that player is the best player available, he should fill a need. Shouldn't he? I mean with so many needs, the BPA should take care of one. Talking in circles here, but you get my point, yes?
Edit: except for RB, maybe. Hell, I don't know. That's why I mainly just read this part of the forum. Lots of you guys are good at this. Back to the drunk thread!
 

beerlover

Hall of Fame
You don't think Gaine showed conviction in picking Howard?

Agreed about fixing the OL and finding someone to cover the TE. Also on board with drafting heavy on the DL.

If they come out of this draft with an edge/CB/NT I will be happy.

Would you be happy with a draft like this

Rd2 Elliot
Rd3 Zuniga
Rd. 4. Robertson
Rd. 5 Blackmon

I would be very happy.

Of course if Delpit or Gladney is there at 40 that's my pick.
No I didn’t get that Gaine was 100% on Howard he was just playing the role of figurehead. No one was chiming in, just politely nodding, no high fives, any joy or excitement, in short very melodramatic.
Don’t disagree with your positions or selections. Is what it is, the Bill O’Brian show with nobody to point fingers at this time but him.

I’m leaning to the big Utah DT Leki Fotu 6’4 330 Utah if can’t get pass rusher A.J. Epenesa 6’6 275 Iowa both have outstanding toughness, leadership and foundation pieces.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
No I didn’t get that Gaine was 100% on Howard he was just playing the role of figurehead. No one was chiming in, just politely nodding, no high fives, any joy or excitement, in short very melodramatic.
Don’t disagree with your positions or selections. Is what it is, the Bill O’Brian show with nobody to point fingers at this time but him.

I’m leaning to the big Utah DT Leki Fotu 6’4 330 Utah if can’t get pass rusher A.J. Epenesa 6’6 275 Iowa both have outstanding toughness, leadership and foundation pieces.
Even though we disagree on Gaine, (We view the video of him making the call on Howard differently, that looked to me like he made that call himself) I respect your opinion.

Agreed about Espenesa/Fotu.

I wouldn't mind at all if Fotu was the pick at #111.
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
Between working from home and the Texans activity thus far this offseason, I have been much more focused on the team. I have always approached the draft and free agency through the lens of needs(ie they need Oline help or pass rushers). Recently (after reading this: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1640782-the-anatomy-of-a-53-man-roster-in-the-nfl) I have changed my focus by looking at the 53 man roster to determine where the team might look to add players. Anyway, here is where I see things now and how, I believe, that impacts the rest of the offseason:

O-line: Given the flexibility they have along the OL, I believe the Texans could roll with 8 lineman. I'd go with 9 since I want a few developmental guys
1. Tunsil: Starting LT and most important player in position group
2. Howard: Starting RT who can play either OG position if necessary
3. R. Johnson: Swing OT/Backup LT
4. B. Qvale: Primarily backup RT who can play some OG
5. Martin: Starting C
6. Fulton: Starting RG who can play at either OG and C as well
7. Scharping: Starting LG who might be able to play some OT
8. Kelemete/Mancz/Rookie
9. Kelemete/Mancz/Rookie

In my view, the Texans have space to add 2 prospects to the O-line (if they dropped Mancz and Kelemete as I would).
Appreciate your work; I disagree with Austin23 post #11 that OBrien (or I) think we have several holes. Each of our players could be improved and if a better player is there except for QB or LT, I would consider that person.

OLine LT Tunsil, LG Scharpie, Center Martin, RG Roderick Johnson supported by lower round draft selection and RT Howard. 6 plus RT Rick Leonard switch from defense 2016 starting six games RT then final year started all 13 RT. Needs work but rather him than some vet. I would also add one UDFA or vet cut loose closer to game one as support for total of eight. I'd put Nknsah or the UDFA on practice squad and roll with eight. If one of our non centers goes out for any significant amount of games we are doomed anyway.
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
Skill Positions: 15 players (2 QBs, 4 RBs, 3 TEs & 6 WRs)
  1. Watson: The franchise at this point.
  2. McCarron: A capable backup QB
  3. Da. Johnson: Probably the starter at RB. Hopefully he returns to form from several years back.
  4. Du. Johnson: 3rd down back with positional flexibility
  5. Rookie/Higdon/Howell: Likely a short yardage back or a special teamer.
  6. Gillaspia: FB who mostly plays on special teams
  7. Fells: Hopefully repeats last season’s performance. Leads most competitive group on roster
  8. Akins/Thomas/Warring: Possibly most difficult roster cut.
  9. Akins/Thomas/Warring: Possibly most difficult roster cut.
  10. Cooks: Lock to make roster, probably starter at WR
  11. Fuller: Lock to make roster, probably starter at WR
  12. Cobb: Lock to make roster, probably starting slot WR
  13. Stills: Unless he is traded he will be on the roster
  14. Coutee/Carter: I think one of them is gone and possibly both depending on how the draft goes
  15. Rookie/Whitney/Mitchell/Hansen: My money is on a draft pick for this spo
I see 2 possible spots at offensive skill positions. 1 at RB where I think Higdon and Howell are vulnerable to being cut and 1 at WR where I don’t think the Texans are committed to Whitney, Mitchell or Hansen. Additional spots could be available at WR depending on the Texans view of Coutee and Deandre Carter and whether they keep or trade Stills.

I would cut 5 and 6 draft an RB and if Taylor or Dobbins picked at 40 bye bye Duke however he goes adding some cap. Gilaspia not needed for full back and rather have another roster/position spot for ST.

8 and 9 are same but one should go hopefully part of a larger trade package bringing something of value.

14 & 15 gone.
 

banned1976

sleeper mode
I would cut 5 and 6 draft an RB and if Taylor or Dobbins picked at 40 bye bye Duke however he goes adding some cap. Gilaspia not needed for full back and rather have another roster/position spot for ST.

8 and 9 are same but one should go hopefully part of a larger trade package bringing something of value.

14 & 15 gone.
I’d hold on to Gillaspia. He’s a core special team guy for a unit that actually improved for a change. I don’t want to see that element of the team backslide.

& I wouldn’t mind seeing him more at the goal line on offense. He could be a wildcard within the red zone inside the ten yard line. In short, more two back sets.

Because the Texans don’t have great value in this draft (or next year’s, come to think about it) they need to make every pick count. I’d draft BPA at every spot w/o worrying about if they can replace Gillaspia on ST’s or not.
 

bah007

Hall of Fame
Remember that the game day roster expands by two spots this season and so does the practice squad.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Texans carry 4 RBs, 4 TEs, plus Gillaspia.
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
I’d hold on to Gillaspia. He’s a core special team guy for a unit that actually improved for a change. I don’t want to see that element of the team backslide.

& I wouldn’t mind seeing him more at the goal line on offense. He could be a wildcard within the red zone inside the ten yard line. In short, more two back sets.

Because the Texans don’t have great value in this draft (or next year’s, come to think about it) they need to make every pick count. I’d draft BPA at every spot w/o worrying about if they can replace Gillaspia on ST’s or not.
No biggie to me and his $ is insignificant but we don't use him as a FB and I'd rather have a LB for example in his roster spot even if an UDFA. There will be LBs available for ST.

Edit for example: James Madison University DE Ron'Dell Carter 6'3" 265 to play OLB for us with 27 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in 2019. Let him replace Gilly.
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
Remember that the game day roster expands by two spots this season and so does the practice squad.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Texans carry 4 RBs, 4 TEs, plus Gillaspia.
I would not be surprised but I prefer playing with 2-3 RBs and 1-2 on PS with no FB as we do not use it. The DJs and a Taylor or Dobbins using spots for Oline and WRs.
 
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