Houston Texans: Three Offseason Concerns

Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith and head coach Bill O’Brien started the off season with a laundry list of needs to address before training camp commences this summer.

And while some of the needs have already been addressed, the organization still has a lengthy list of concerns to examine while the upcoming season is quickly approaching on the horizon.

Linebacker

The Texans always seem to have quality depth at both inside and outside linebacker, but the reality of the matter is quite the opposite.

Between the injuries and ineffectiveness of various linebackers, such as Brian Cushing and Jadeveon Clowney, the Texans at times this past season lacked quality backups that could step in and produce solid results.

These issues forced defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel to rely more on the likes of Akeem Dent, Justin Tuggle, and Mike Mohamed. While they are fine players for depth purposes and the occasional downs, playing them in place of the usual starters caused a noticeable drop-off in production.

And it also doesn’t help that Brooks Reed, one of the Texans more consistent linebackers, has signed with the Atlanta Falcons.

Look for the front office to address this issue during the draft, and possibly sign a veteran or two on relatively cheap contracts.

The defensive line and the backfield can only do so much, and the Texans needs more consistent production out of their linebackers to have any chance to improve in 2015.

Wide Receiver

Wide receiver meetings will be quite different this year for the Texans.

The Texans released future Hall-of-Famer Andre Johnson, but the organization also signed veteran wideouts Cecil Shorts and Nate Washington to short-term contracts. These additions will help solve the quality depth issue behind DeAndre Hopkins this season.

But while the addition of Shorts and Washington provides more speed to the Texans offense now, the team still needs to add another wideout that will be bring more physicality to the position.

It is in the realm of possibility that the front office drafts a wide receiver with it’s first-round pick for O’Brien to mold from day one.

Names to watch for during the draft that the Texans may show interest in: Devante Parker, Jalen Strong, and Dorial Green-Beckham.

And the organization may yet bring in another veteran receiver, especially if Keshawn Martin or DeVier Posey are let go during training camp.

Offensive Line

The defensive backfield would have been the third need that remains to be addressed, but with the recent addition of Rahim Moore and the resigning of Kareem Jackson, the backfield seems to be more settled.

But the same cannot be said of the offensive line.

The Texans did manage to retain Derek Newton, however, the organization also cut long-time center Chris Myers. Now Ben Jones will be the starting center if the season started today, but there are still plenty of question marks all over the line.

Duane Brown will be back as the starting left tackle, and it is assumed that Newton will be the starter at right tackle. Brandon Brooks and Xavier Su’a-Filo will presumably be the starting guards.

But the depth behind the starters will be thin.

Houston Texans: Three Offseason Concerns

By Cody Poage | Apr 5, 2015

Linebacker

Wide Receiver

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Offensive Line