How they line up
A position-by-position look after training camp in West Virginia
RUNNING BACKS
Barring injury, this position should be the toughest cut when the roster is reduced from 90 to 53. There’s serious competition for the backup job behind Lamar Miller and for the four spots on the team. Alfred Blue and D’Onta Foreman were terrific at Carolina. Blue has been an effective, decisive runner who does a good job on special teams. Foreman has improved his blocking, and he’s caught the ball well. He’s showed skills running between the tackles and turning the corner. Akeem Hunt and Tyler Ervin did excellent jobs receiving. Undrafted rookie Dare Ogunbowale was impressive as a runner, receiver, blocker and on special teams. Fullback Jay Prosch is a physical lead blocker who did a sound job catching passes.
WIDE RECEIVERS
The top three receivers are out because of injuries, but only Will Fuller (collarbone) is serious. DeAndre Hopkins (hand) got off to a tremendous start, and there’s no need to play him until the regular season begins. Braxton Miller (ankle) needs the work because the Texans need him. Jaelen Strong has been taking advantage of the additional playing time and making catches all over the field. Wendall Williams did a splendid job in camp, as did undrafted rookie Riley McCarron, a slot receiver who became a favorite target for Deshaun Watson. This is an opportunity for receivers like Dres Anderson, Bruce Ellington, Devin Street, Chris Thompson, Marcus Leak and Justin Hardee to impress the coaches.
TIGHT ENDS
Barring an injury, this position is set. C.J. Fiedorowicz, Ryan Griffin or Stephen Anderson won’t leave any room at tight end. They all enjoyed productive camps. Undrafted rookie Evan Baylis and veteran RaShaun Allen had their ups and downs.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Center Nick Martin, right guard Jeff Allen and left guard Xavier Su’a-Filo are set. Martin was outstanding in camp in every way. He and Greg Mancz, who also can play guard, make center the most talented position on the line. Allen is healthy, looked quicker and seems to have adapted to coach Mike Devlin’s system. Su’a-Filo had his best camp. In his third camp, tackle Kendall Lamm played both sides and consistently improved his pass protection. Without Duane Brown, the other starter is veteran Chris Clark. Rookie Julién Davenport is the backup left tackle who improved his pass protection. Guards David Quessenberry, Chad Slade and Josh Walker are competing for spots on the team. Breno Giacomini brings experience to right tackle. Rookie Kyle Fuller, who suffered a foot injury early in camp, is a candidate for the practice squad.
DEFENSIVE LINE
J.J. Watt had no days off after the Carolina game and went full speed in practices against the Patriots. Second-year nose tackle D.J. Reader is quick, strong and works hard. He’s solid against the run and has pass-rush ability. End Christian Covington, who had his best camp, plays when Jadeveon Clowney is at outside linebacker. Rookie Carlos Watkins plays hard against the run and can get up the field. Brandon Dunn showed improvement over last season.
LINEBACKERS
Tough decisions will have to be made when the roster is reduced. Brian Cushing and Benardrick McKinney were terrific in camp. Rookie Zach Cunningham was lost early but figured it out. He can run and cover. He improved against the run. Dylan Cole, an undrafted rookie, is next to Cunningham on the second team. He’s quick and fast, fills the hole against the run and can turn and run to cover. Brian Peters is a solid backup on the inside who’s also one of the best special-teams players. Also competing for spots on the team are Sio Moore, Shakeel Rashad and Avery Williams. The outside starters are set with Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus. Brennan Scarlett looked much more sure of himself in his second camp. Ufomba Kamalu moved from end to outside linebacker because the coaches are looking for depth. Veterans Eric Lee and Tony Washington Jr. and undrafted rookies Dayon Pratt and Gimel President flashed some ability but have a long way to go.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Kevin Johnson was outstanding in camp and showed no signs of the foot injury that ruined last season. Johnathan Joseph had an excellent camp. Kareem Jackson plays primarily in the slot but also saw practice time at safety. Robert Nelson Jr. gave up some big plays but is the fourth corner. Veteran Denzel Rice made some good plays in coverage. Rookie Treston Decoud is behind after missing the offseason program and getting hurt early in camp. Rookies Dee Virgin and Bryce Jones knocked down a lot of passes in camp, as did veteran Marcus Roberson. Andre Hal and Corey Moore are starters at safety. Both improved over last season. Eddie Pleasant, Marcus Gilchrist, Kurtis Drummond and K.J. Dillon — all of whom stood out at one time or another — are dependable backups competing for playing time.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter Shane Lechler, kicker Nick Novak and snapper Jon Weeks were consistent in camp. Ka’imi Fairbairn is trying to beat out Novak but didn’t do anything spectacular. The coverage teams have problems. Blocking for the return teams must improve. The Texans worked on both every day in practice. Tyler Ervin, Akeem Hunt, Wendall Williams and Riley McCarron seem to be the best candidates for returns.