The Houston Texans open the 2022 NFL regular season against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 11 at NRG Stadium.
There weren't many intriguing camp battles for the Texans, as they're a rebuilding team trying to move forward after trading quarterback Deshaun Watson this offseason.
The Texans were able to use assets from that trade to add up-and-coming young talent to the roster to mix with veterans on both sides of the ball. But the defense will be the catalyst of the Texans, led by defensive end Jonathan Greenard, second-round pick Jalen Pitre at safety and No. 3 overall pick Derek Stingley Jr. at cornerback.
Coach Lovie Smith also was promoted from associate head coach and defensive coordinator after the Texans moved on from David Culley this offseason.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Davis Mills, Kyle Allen
After battling for the starting position last season, this is Mills' team, but if he were to miss time because of an injury, Kyle Allen could step in and be serviceable. Allen beat out Jeff Driskel for the backup QB battle even though Driskel's athleticism is intriguing. But Allen's ability to push the ball down the field gave him the edge.
RUNNING BACK (4): Dameon Pierce, Rex Burkhead, Marlon Mack, Dare Ogunbowale
Smith said during training camp that the Texans "want to be a team that can run the football." Part of that, he said, means keeping a fullback on the roster. Houston has two veteran running backs in Burkhead and Mack, but Pierce, a 2022 fourth-round pick, should have plenty of opportunities to take the lead back spot by the end of the season.
FULLBACK (1): Troy Hairston
Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton wants his unit to be versatile, and that includes a fullback. Hairston has been the best of the options.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Brandin Cooks, Nico Collins, Chris Moore, Phillip Dorsett, Chris Conley, Jalen Camp
With second-round pick John Metchie III battling leukemia and having to likely sit out the season, this opens things for Camp to make the roster over Drew Estrada, Johnny Johnson III and Connor Wedington. Camp's solid consistency throughout camp, along with his speed to stretch the field, makes him more valuable.
TIGHT END (3): Brevin Jordan, Pharaoh Brown, Teagan Quitoriano
The tight end room isn't strong, which is why the Texans tried to trade for the Dolphins' Adam Shaheen. But the battle for the last tight end spot was between Quitoriano, Antony Auclair and Seth Green. With Quitoriano being a recent draft pick, this choice was an easy call.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE (4): Laremy Tunsil, Tytus Howard, Charlie Heck, Austin Deculus
The Texans' tackle position is one of the better groups on the team with only minor questions surrounding the depth and the level of effectiveness this unit can have. Tunsil and Howard are one of the better duos in the NFL, and Heck can be serviceable if thrown into action.
OFFENSIVE GUARD (3): Kenyon Green, A.J. Cann, Justin McCray
McCray's versatility to play center and guard gave him the edge over the competition fighting for guard and center spots on the interior. Green suffered a concussion during camp, but he'll be the starter.
CENTER (2): Justin Britt, Scott Quessenberry
The Texans' center spot is manageable, but the combination of Britt and Quessenberry should provide solidity.
DEFENSIVE END (6): Jonathan Greenard, Jerry Hughes, Mario Addison, Rasheem Green, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Demone Harris
The Texans' defense starts with their defensive end group that features Greenard, who could see a break-out year. Greenard had eight sacks in 12 games last season. That sack total should reach the teens this season if he stays healthy. The rest of the group provides solid pass-rushing depth and run-stuffing ability.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE (4): Roy Lopez, Maliek Collins, Kurt Hinish, Thomas Booker IV
A solid defensive tackle unit will be led by Hinish, who can disrupt the guard and center combo. Lopez looks improved off his rookie season and should show noticeable improvement in Year 2.
LINEBACKER (6): Christian Kirksey, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Garret Wallow, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Christian Harris, Blake Cashman
This group has youthful talent mixed with some experience. Throughout camp and the preseason, Grugier-Hill and Kirksey have held down the fort by getting tackles for loss and being factors in the run game.
CORNERBACK (5): Derek Stingley Jr., Desmond King II, Steven Nelson, Tremon Smith, Isaac Yiadom
Stingley is the biggest name of this group, but Nelson is their best cornerback as of today. But the duo of Stingley and Nelson is more than capable and with King in the slot.
SAFETY (4): Jalen Pitre, Jonathan Owens, Terrence Brooks, Grayland Arnold
Owens' camp has shown he's a good NFL starting safety and Pitre could compete for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Pitre's game reminds folks of New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu and Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker because of his play-making ability, and he's shown that throughout camp and the preseason.
SPECIALIST (3): K Ka'imi Fairbairn, P Cameron Johnston, LS Jon Weeks
For the second season in a row, these three should stay the same. However, Fairbairn suffered an undisclosed injury prior to the final preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers. Former New York Jets kicker Matt Ammendola was signed to fill in, but Fairbairn should be ready to go for the opener.