I had to find this thread and get my mind wrapped around the Texans upcoming season. Pretty much done with the ongoing Watson saga since he's now the Browns problem. I think Cal, Caserio, and Lovie are focusing on how they'll best utilize their windfall of picks from the Browns and continue to expedite the rebuilding of this organization.
The FO team certainly had an interesting 2022 draft and off-season by bringing in new faces to compete and push the camp competition. First time I've actually felt like this organization is aligned in every facet of the game to ensure the best product available will be on the 53 man roster.....not to mention keepers on the PS.
I think The Real Joker laid out a pretty solid projection of the 53 man roster back on 03 May 2022. Of course there will be few surprises by the end of the Mandatory Mini-Camp. Nothing more than a feeling out process, seeing what new players bring to the team, and getting them prepared to put on the pads before arriving back for Training Camp.
I'm going to borrow The Real Joker's projected roster to make pre Training Camp 53 man roster:
(25) Offense:
(2) QB: Mills, Allen (I like the Mills - Allen duo. It's nice to have QB's roughly the same size and throwing with the same right arm.....silly note I know, but it maintains consistency with the receivers. I wanted the Texans to pickup Allen last season so I'm not too disappointed they got him this season since their HC, staff, and playbook are locked in.)
(5) RB: Pierce, Mack, Burkhead, Freeman, Janovich (FB) (I like this group, if they can remain healthy. The team is going to lean heavily on establishing a respected running game and having a true FB to help cleanup some running lanes certainly won't hurt. I also like the fact that all 5 RB's could help the team and Mills as a receiving outlet.)
(6) WR: Cooks, Collins, Conley, Metchie, Moore, and Dorsett (If healthy, Dorsett will be a weapon worth keeping...especially if Metchie isn't ready during Training Camp and/or by the Pre Season games. I really look forward to seeing if the off-season work put in by the receivers pays off in a big step being made by Collins.)
(4) TE: Jordan, Brown, Auclair, Quitoriano (This group is set. I want to see if Jordan is ready to take on the leadership roll for this group. If the OL improves and permits the offense to truly incorporate the TE's...then I could see Brown having a nice bounce back season.)
(3) OT: Tunsil, Howard, Heck (Set)
(3) OG: Green, Cann, McCray (Set)
(2) OC: Britt, Morrisey (Set)
(8) OL: (Tunsil finally having a real LG in Green may finally have Tunsil playing at his full potential. If so, left side is set. Howard will finally have a position he can call his own...RT. If Cann can stay healthy and Howard applies his upside to being a RT, then the OL could finally have strength and symmetry on both sides of Center. Britt was injured during the mini-camp's but I believe Morrisey is more than capable of stepping up to do the job. Finally having what looks to be a set of real guards....it could help both Morrisey and Britt in focusing on their job.)
(25) Defense:
(4) DE: Greenard, Green, Addison, Okoronkwo
(5) DT: Collins, Lopez, Blacklock, Booker, Daniels
(3) OLB: Grugier-Hill, Reeves-Maybin, Wallow
(3) MLB: Kirksey, Harris, Cashman
(5) CB: Stingley, Nelson, Thomas, King, Smith
(3) FS: Pitre, Owens, Brooks
(2) SS: Murray, Stewart
(3) Specialists:
(1) K: Fairbairn (Agree)
(1) P: Johnston (Agree)
(1) LS: Weeks (Agree)
(3) Specialists: (This group is set with Texans veterans. Can only hope Fairbairn can be more consistent.)