Deshaun Watson was the story surrounding the Houston Texans all off-season. The three-time Pro Bowler and reigning NFL passing yards leader requested a trade early in the spring. Since then, he’s been accused of sexual assault and/or sexual misconduct by north of 20 women. (He has repeatedly denied the accusations.)
Heading into Week 1 against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars, Watson remains on the Texans’ 53-man roster. However, the team has plans to keep him inactive as the legal situation plays out.
From an on-field standpoint, these Texans can easily be considered the least-talented team in the NFL. First-year head coach David Culley has a lot of work to do in order to make this team competitive on a weekly basis.
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Additions And Subtractions
Of the Texans’ initial 53-man roster to open the season, there are 16 new players currently under one-year contracts. New general manager Nick Caserio used the limited resources he had at his disposal to sign multiple veteran free agents and pull off an unusually large number of trades.
Former Pro Bowl quarterback Tyrod Taylor takes over under center. He’ll be joined in the backfield by veterans Mark Ingram, Phillip Lindsay and Rex Burkhead — all of whom spearhead a newly-formed rushing attack. Despite some turnover on defense, that’s the name of the game for Houston.
Obviously, the focus here is going to be on the absence of Deshaun Watson. However, losing wide receives Will Fuller, Randall Cobb and Keke Coutee is also going to hurt. That trio combined for 1,720 receiving yards a season ago. Rookie third-round pick Nico Collins will be tasked with stepping up in their stead.
Team Strengths
Unfortunately, it’s really hard to find one real strength on this Texans roster. If Watson were available, that would obviously be a different situation. Houston will boast one of the worst records in the NFL this coming season.
The positive news? A newly-formed rushing attack could at least keep the Texans competitive at times throughout the season. In addition to the three backs mentioned above, the Texans return leading rusher David Johnson. All four of these veterans bring something different to the table. If they can help take the burden off Taylor and Houston’s passing game, this team could surprise with some competitive games in 2021.
Question Marks
I honestly don’t know where to start here. Houston’s success in the past has obviously been predicated on Watson. Now, this team is set to rely on a quarterback in Tyrod Taylor who is years removed from being starter-caliber. His backup is a project in that of rookie third-round pick Davis Mills.
If this weren’t bad enough, Houston’s current receivers outside of Brandin Cooks combined for 93 receptions a season ago. If I had to pick, it’s the passing game that boasts the biggest questions marks in Houston this coming season. But it’s a long list.
Best Bet
Vegas Insider has Houston with a projected four wins throughout its 17-game regular season schedule. Looking at this team’s roster and the drama we’ve seen unfold, it’s hard to imagine the Texans beating the mark.
Eight of Houston’s 17 games come against teams that made the playoffs a season ago. Of the nine matchups against non-playoff teams, six come against vastly improved squads in that of the New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers. Is there any way that the Texans even come close to winning even one of these outings? If not, the higher-water mark is three victories.
Best-Case Scenario
Deshaun Watson is cleared of wrongdoing in the civil cases brought against him. The Houston Police Department refuses to press criminal charges with the NFL settling for a minimal suspension.
In no way does this mean Watson will ever play in a Texans uniform again. Rather, it would give Houston’s brass the ability to get a ton of compensation for the star 25-year-old quarterback. In turn, Davis Mills takes over for Taylor under center and somehow proves in less than one season he’s a starter-caliber quarterback in the NFL. Right now, Houston’s future success is not about the 2021 campaign on the gridiron. It’s about what we see happen behind the scenes.
Worst-Case Scenario
Haven’t we already seen it at this point? Shockingly, things could take an even worst turn for the Texans during the 2021 season. David Culley proves to be in over his head as a first-year head coach.
The Watson situation is not settled off the field. Boasting a lack of any competitive ability on the field, veterans start to lose interest. In the mean time, youngsters remaining on Houston’s roster don’t take the next step. The end process being one of the worst regular seasons in modern NFL history.
