HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans opened training camp Tuesday at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Texas. The Texans are coming off their worst season since 2017 and aren't expected to have quarterback Deshaun Watson to help rebound, as he not only faces 22 lawsuits alleging sexual assault and inappropriate behavior that were filed this spring, but he also asked for a trade in January.
With a new quarterback, new general manager and mostly new coaching staff, there's been a lot of turnover on the Texans' roster. Here is a 53-man roster projection.
QUARTERBACK (2): Tyrod Taylor, Davis Mills
Watson is still on the Texans' roster, but that is expected to change before he counts against the 53-man limit on cutdown day. Taylor should start Week 1, but at what point will general manager Nick Caserio and head coach David Culley need to see whether Mills has a shot to be their future franchise quarterback?
RUNNING BACK (4): David Johnson, Phillip Lindsay, Buddy Howell, Rex Burkhead
The Texans have a crowded backfield right now after Caserio restructured Johnson's contract and signed Lindsay, Mark Ingram II and Burkhead to one-year deals. Because Houston doubled Johnson's guaranteed money when they restructured his contract, he's likely to make the team. Because Burkhead, along with Howell, can contribute on special teams, it could come down to Lindsay and Ingram for the final spot.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Brandin Cooks, Keke Coutee, Nico Collins, Chris Conley, Alex Erickson, Isaiah Coulter
The Texans currently have 12 wide receivers on their roster and not much is set behind Cooks and Collins, a third-round pick. If Randall Cobb is dealt to the Packers as expected, it could make room for Coutee, who had a solid end to last season.
TIGHT END (3): Jordan Akins, Brevin Jordan, Pharaoh Brown
This would mean no Kahale Warring, a third-round pick in 2019, who has only three career catches. The Texans might opt to keep a fourth tight end, but it may come down to Warring or a sixth receiver.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Laremy Tunsil, Max Scharping, Justin Britt, Marcus Cannon, Tytus Howard, Charlie Heck, Roderick Johnson, Justin McCray, Lane Taylor
One of the more intriguing starting spots for the Texans going into training camp is right tackle. Despite having Howard, a first-round pick in 2019, Caserio traded for Cannon in March. During his offseason news conference, new offensive line coach James Campen said he doesn't expect Cannon to move from right tackle, but either the former Patriots veteran will be an expensive backup or Howard will have to move to right guard.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): Ross Blacklock, Charles Omenihu, Shaq Lawson, Jonathan Greenard, Whitney Mercilus, Jacob Martin, Maliek Collins, Jordan Jenkins, Roy Lopez
Not only will the Texans' defense look a lot different with the shift to Lovie Smith's 4-3 defense, but they'll also make the switch without longtime Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, who asked for his release during the offseason. Defensive line coach Bobby King said he thinks Omenihu's versatility gives him a lot of potential to make an impact. Omenihu played nearly half of Houston's defensive snaps in 2020 and could be in line for a larger role this season.
LINEBACKER (6): Zach Cunningham, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Christian Kirksey, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Garret Wallow, Joe Thomas
Cunningham, who signed a contract extension last year, is the only returning inside linebacker on this defense. Pierre-Louis is coming off a career season with the Washington Football Team, while Kirksey and Thomas each has starting experience on the inside.
CORNERBACK (6): Bradley Roby, Desmond King, Terrance Mitchell, Keion Crossen, John Reid, Cornell Armstrong
The Texans added depth at cornerback, which was arguably their weakest position last season. Roby will miss the first game of the season as he serves the final game of his suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
SAFETY (5): Justin Reid, Lonnie Johnson, Eric Murray, A.J. Moore, Terrence Brooks
The Texans will have a decision to make about Reid, who is entering the final season of his rookie contract. Safety coach Greg Jackson said he thought Reid was "thinking too much" last season and he thinks in Smith's system, Reid will "rise up."
SPECIALIST (3): Ka'imi Fairbairn, Cameron Johnston, Jon Weeks
The Texans cut punter Bryan Anger in March and signed Johnston to a three-year deal, the longest contract given by the team in free agency.