:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69556615/usa_today_15021545.0.jpg)
Is there a bigger mess in all of sports than the Houston Texans? Perhaps quicker than any organization ever has, Houston went from annual AFC contender to No. 1 draft pick contender — for a couple of different reasons.
The first being the Deshaun Watson situation, which is still ongoing. The star quarterback is facing numerous sexual assault allegations, leaving the Texans with no choice but to make other arrangements under center. That has come in the form of Tyrod Taylor and draft pick Davis Mills.
The second reason comes courtesy of former head coach Bill O’Brien, who absolutely cleaned out Houston’s draft pick ammunition, leaving them handicapped in the short term as they begin a rebuild. The Texans didn’t pick this year until the third round, where they selected quarterback Davis Mills. For the first time since 2019, Houston will actually make a pick in the first round — likely in the top five of next spring’s event.
Let’s recap all the key moves of the offseason for the Texans.
Key Departures
HC/GM Bill O’Brien
DL J.J. Watt
(Likely) QB Deshaun Watson
C Nick Martin
LB Benardrick McKinney
G Zach Fulton
TE Darren Fells
WR Will Fuller
Key Additions
HC David Culley
QB Tyrod Taylor
QB Davis Mills
EDGE Shaq Lawson
LB Christian Kirksey
RT Marcus Cannon
DL Maliek Collins
RB Mark Ingram
RB Rex Burkhead
RB Phillip Lindsay
CB Terrance Mitchell
CB Vernon Hargreaves
CB Desmond King
WR Chris Conley
LB Neville Hewitt
The Houston Texans had all the makings of a potential dynasty — and now they look like an expansion team once again. J.J. Watt is gone, joining DeAndre Hopkins in Arizona. Quarterback Deshaun Watson’s situation is far from settled, but the Texans are obviously planning for life without him.
That leaves an offense featuring Tyrod Taylor, David Johnson, Mark Ingram, Phillip Lindsay, Randall Cobb and Brandin Cooks. Taylor will be looking to keep Houston afloat in 2021 as the organization transitions in a new direction.
Speaking of new directions, David Culley takes over for Bill O’Brien this season. The Houston gig was pretty clearly the worst job on the board for candidate this season, and the Texans ended up hiring Culley, who served as the Ravens’ passing game coordinator last year.
Culley has a tough road ahead, especially with the Titans and Colts already established in the AFC South. The Jaguars also made some big moves this offseason and should take some steps forward in 2021.
Defensively, it can’t get too much worse for the Texans, who ranked 30th in total defense last season. You can hardly recognize this group anymore, just a few years removed from being one of the better units in the league. J.J. Watt is gone, and only Whitney Mercilus remains from the old group.
Zach Cunningham remains on the linebacking core, joined this year by Christian Kirksey.
Bradley Roby will return to the secondary following his suspension last season, joined by a trio of new additions at cornerback. Terrance Mitchell, Vernon Hargreaves and Desmond King will look to bolster a group that ranked 24th against the pass in 2020.
Our take on the Texans
2021 feels an awful lot like a punt for Houston, who more than likely will be in the hunt for the No. 1 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. Defensive issues remain and a Tyrod Taylor led offense doesn’t exactly scare anyone. The only intrigue here will be what the Texans do with Davis Mills, who may see a handful of starts before the season ends.
Vegas win total O/U: 5