We continue our season preview with another surprise division champion, the Houston Texans. Houston used a revolving door at quarterback and running back but was just good enough to steal the soft AFC South. The feel good season ended in disappointing fashion, losing to Kansas City by 30 in a home playoff game. The starting quarterback in that game for Houston was Brian Hoyer. The starting Running Back was Alfred Blue. It will not be the same in Week one.
Back up the truck Houston was very active in free agency, and they spent all their money on the offensive side of the ball. The underrated Lamar Miller was brought in to take over at running back at the reasonable cost of $26 million over four years. Guard Jeff Allen was also signed to a 4 year deal. Then things got stupid. Houston “won” the Brock Osweiler derby, signing him to a ridiculous $72 million contract, with $37 guaranteed. That’s big time money for a career backup who was replaced in the playoffs by a man who couldn’t even turn his head. Osweiler was a game manager who rode a terrific defense to a huge contract. He has 11 touchdown passes in his career.
Sadly that’s still an upgrade Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, and Brandon Weedin were the QB’s in Houston last year, so even the slightest upgrade should be good for some improvement. Osweiler knows his job already; get the ball to DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins had a terrific season in 2015. 111 catches for 1,521 yards to be exact. He was targeted 192 times, so his catch percentage isn’t great, but that’s on the QB play, not Hopkins. Houston tried to run the ball last year, and will again with Miller, but Hopkins is going to get tons of looks for sure.
How healthy is JJ Watt? Watt is currently on the PUP list with a back injury, but there are rumors of him trying to get back on the field for Week one. Watt is the best defensive player in the league, and the last thing Houston should do is rush him back. Carry one player short for three weeks if they don’t want to wait six weeks for the PUP, but rushing him back could lead to this nagging him all season. Every team in the league would like to have a compromised JJ watt lining up on the other side.
Fantasy Focus Hopkins and Miller are both advertised as first round picks this season. I agree for Hopkins. He’s excellent and slots just underneath the big three receivers. Miller should excel in the Houston backfield, but his asking price is a little high for me. There really isn’t a fantasy starter anywhere else on the roster.
Prediction The new players have to mesh, and Osweiler has to grow into his role as a full time starter. That will take a while and the results will likely not be here for another year. 8-8