The Houston Texans will get the first taste of their 2019 roster build against the Green Bay Packers tonight in their week one preseason bout. While starters won’t play much, there are still several things to watch, particularly with new players, rookies, and backups. Here are five areas to keep an eye on in the preseason opener.
5. The competition for the No. 4 wide receiver job
Key players: Vyncint Smith, Tyron Johnson, Steven Mitchell, Jester Weah
As reported on Wednesday, the fourth wide receiver position on the depth chart is an open competition. The competitors are a slew of recent undrafted players, including, and highlighted by, Vyncint Smith, Tyron Johnson, Steven Mitchell, and Jester Weah.
Smith is the most well-known name of the bunch. The former Limestone product went undrafted in 2018, then started a game for the Texans as a rookie. He recorded five receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown in 2018; the touchdown being an impressive, nearly game-winning, toe-tap. The big receiver (6-3) is the favorite to win the job.
Johnson is a name that’s continued to turn heads in training camp. The Oklahoma State, formerly LSU, prospect went undrafted in 2019 but comes aboard as an intriguing piece. In 2018, he caught 53 balls for 845 yards and seven touchdowns; all career bests. He ran a 4.34 40-time at his pro day.
Mitchell, undrafted in 2018, spent last season on the Texans practice squad after a release by the Los Angeles Rams. The former USC Trojan was activated week 17 but wasn’t targeted. Weah, hailing from Pittsburgh, also went undrafted in 2018 and spent last year on the practice squad.
Other names to watch include journeyman Chad Henson, 2019 undrafted prospects Stephen Louis, Johnnie Dixon, and Floyd Allen. DeAndre Carter is on the PUP list but is expected to be the team’s main returner.
4. An alluring group of tight ends
Key players: Jordan Thomas, Jordan Akins, Kahale Warring
Jordan Thomas, Jordan Akins, and Kahale Warring should all make the roster. The Texans have invested two thirds and a sixth-round pick in the last two drafts in the group. However, preseason week one stands as a time to move up or down the roster for each.
The two Jordans figure to be the starting duo week one; Thomas the first on the depth chart and Akins the second. Thomas proved to be a red zone ace as a rookie (four touchdowns), while Akins created mismatches with his wide receiver background.
However, Warring may change everything. The San Diego State product is viewed upon as one of the best developmental tight ends in the 2019 NFL Draft crop. He has an NFL ready body (6-6, 251-pounds), is a multi-sport athlete, and possesses all the traits in the world. Some view him as comparable to perennial Pro Bowler Travis Kelce.
If Warring plays well, he may see himself work his way up the depth chart quickly. Thomas’ spot as the starter is secure for now, but Akins’ as the backup isn’t; by week one, Warring may be a big part of the offseason, if he performs well in the preseason. Darren Fells should be the fourth as a blocker.
3. The brawl for third-string running back
Key players: Josh Ferguson, Karan Higdon, Damarea Crockett
Originally, the preseason was supposed to be a time to find the Texans’ second-string backup after D’Onta Foreman’s release. But, a trade for former Brown Duke Johnson halts that notion and puts three backs in particular in a tougher positional battle than before.
Josh Ferguson, Karan Higdon, and Damarea Crockett are the three backs put on notice after the trade. Each needs to prove their worth in the first preseason game; especially Ferguson, who had his third-down back title stripped after the Johnson trade.
Ferguson’s spot on the roster may not be there as his skill set is redundant with Johnson’s; meaning, it may come down to Higdon and Crockett for the third spot. Higdon, an undrafted Michigan product, is a power back with speed to boot. Crockett, also undrafted out of Missouri, is an athletic marvel with good tape and an injury history.
For Ferguson, Higdon, and Crockett, week one is the first round of the battle to make the 53-man. The Texans may keep four backs with the last being a special-teams ace (Buddy Howell or Taiwan Jones).
2. A brewing rookie vs. rookie rivalry
Key players: Lonnie Johnson, Jace Sternberger
Lonnie Johnson sent Texans and Packers Twitter ablaze on Monday after a hit during joint training camp in Green Bay.
Johnson hit Packers rookie tight end Jace Sternberger in a drill so hard that his helmet fell off. The cornerback then flexed over the tight end, and a two-team brawl ensued. The Texans then sat Johnson for the rest of the week in team drills.
Later that day, Johnson posted this on his Instagram (since deleted).
Then Sternberger posted this to his Instagram story.
If the two play each other, it should be interesting, to say the least.
1. The offensive line
Key players: the entire offensive line
Let’s keep this simple. The Texans allowed 62 sacks last season and 54 the one before. Quarterback Deshaun Watson tends to run for his life whenever he drops back, and running backs struggle to produce behind their offensive line.
That’s supposed to change in 2019. The Texans brought in Matt Kalil — who hasn’t built up a trustworthy track record — to help do so. Draft picks Tytus Howard (first) and Max Scharping (second) could be starters week one. Last year’s third-round pick Martinas Rankin may make a successful shift to guard, and Seantrel Henderson is back from injury and looking to make an impact.
All of those players have the eyes of Houston upon them. Nick Martin, Zach Fulton, Greg Mancz, and Senio Kelemete do too. The hope is that a sturdy unit can be built out of the nine aforementioned, but it’s just hoping right now.
There is potential for the Texans offensive line to be a better unit. That potential can begin to turn into production in the first preseason game. If not, Houston may want to dial up a Washington D.C. area code.
