Making a Post-Draft Depth Chart

[HPF Bob]

The official Texans site is of little use but they do have a current roster. I'm not going to bother with the real long shots but this should give us an idea of how we stack up going into training camp. The order is my projection at present.
* - added in draft
^ - added since end of season

OFFENSE (32)
----------

QB - Ryan Fitzpatrick^, Case Keenum, Tom Savage*, T.J. Yates
RB - Arian Foster, Andre Brown^, Jonathan Grimes, Alfred Blue*, Dennis Johnson
FB - Brad Smelley^, Jay Prosch*
TE - Garrett Graham, Ryan Griffin, C.J. Fiedorowicz*, Zach Potter^
WR - Andre Johnson, DeAndre Hopkins, DeVier Posey, Keyshawn Martin, Alec Lemon, Alan Bonner, Mike Thomas^
OT - Duane Brown, Derek Newton, Brennan Williams, David Quessenberry
OG - Xavier Su'a-Filo*, Brandon Brooks, Cody White, Alex Kupper^
OC - Chris Meyers, Ben Jones

DEFENSE (29)
----------

DE - J.J. Watt, Jared Crick, Tim Jamison, Jeoffrey Pagan*, Keith Browner
NT - Jerrell Powe^, Louis Nix*, Ricardo Mathews
OLB - Whitney Mercilus, Jadeveon Clowney*, Trevardo Williams, Ricky Sapp
ILB - Brian Cushing, Brooks Reed, Max Bullough^, Mike Mohamed, Justin Tuggle, Jeff Tarpinian
CB - Jonathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson, Brandon Harris, Elbert Mack^, Andre Hal*
S - Kendrick Lewis^, D.J. Swearinger, Shiloh Keo, Eddie Pleasant, Chris Clemons^, Lonnie Ballentine*

SPECIALISTS (4)
---------------

KR - Keyshawn Martin, ???
PR - Keyshawn Martin, ???
P - Shane Lechler
PK - Randy Bullock, Chris Boswell^
LS - Jon Weeks

That's 65 names and obviously some will end up on IR or getting cut. FWIW, the Texans roster has Clowney listed at LB although I suspect he's going to be playing DE and OLB in roughly equal measure. I'm projecting Reed inside just on my own hunch.

There are certainly places where we look to be very vulnerable after the first team. I'm not impressed with the depth, I suspect this is one of the reasons the front office decided to play for the long rebuild rather than expecting a quick return to the playoffs.

Don't get too bothered by the order on the chart. I'm really trying to illustrate what we have going into camp without a lot of the scrub names that will be long forgotten by Labor Day.

[painekiller]

Thanks for putting this together.

[barrett]

Good stuff Bob.

Did Lestar Jean catch on anywhere?

[chuck]

I'm starting to get that itch and it's only May. Crap.

[Nconroe]

Originally Posted by barrett

Good stuff Bob.

Did Lestar Jean catch on anywhere?

Yeah, wondering how much roster change will really occur by Sept, beyond the 10 draft picks? And 65 players shown has to go down by 12 further to reach 53. Gonna be tough for the 90 guys in camp and UDFA rookies but I guess a couple will make it.

Lestar is on with Vikings. Hope it works out for him.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players...13/lestar-jean

[Keith]

I'm not sure how WR Mike Thomas fell off the face of the NFL Earth after his stint in Detroit. He fizzled there and was cut early in camp, tried out for several teams throughout the fall including the Texans before basically signing as a street FA after the season.

I had been very intrigued by Thomas coming out of college... he looked like an ideal slot candidate. Then he went to Jacksonhelle, which maybe explains something of his career trajectory. The Lions traded for him midseason in 2012 and cut him in camp last year. Say what you will about the prior Lions regime, but I doubt Mensa came calling often.

Given O'Brien seems to be trying to install a version of the Patriots offense with the Texans, there is a definite need for a slot WR. If Andre and Hopkins are on the outside, then who is the slot? Doesn't seem like Posey, and Keyshawn Martin isn't consistent enough to be a lock for the role. Hopefully Thomas resurrects his career here with the opportunity.

[Arky]

Nice job. There might be a few guys from the list of UDFA's getting into the mix after everything shakes out..

[Arky]

Main site has updated the roster including UDFA's. I grouped by position:

#, Name, Pos., Ht., Wt., Age, Exp., College

78 Ferentz, James C 6-2 285 R Iowa
60 Jones, Ben C 6-3 308 24 3 Georgia
55 Myers, Chris C 6-4 286 32 10 Miami (Fla.)
34 Bouye, A.J. CB 6-0 191 22 2 Central Florida
26 Harris, Brandon CB 5-10 189 24 4 Miami (Fla.)
24 Joseph, Johnathan CB 5-11 188 30 9 South Carolina
43 Mack, Elbert CB 5-10 175 27 6 Troy
27 Victorian, Josh CB 5-10 190 25 2 Louisiana Tech
40 Williams, Marcus CB 5-11 196 R North Dakota State
25 Jackson, Kareem DB 5-10 188 26 5 Alabama
98 Browner, Keith DE 6-4 288 26 2 California
93 Crick, Jared DE 6-4 285 24 3 Nebraska
69 Grosz, Sullivan DE 6-4 295 R Cal Poly
96 Jamison, Tim DE 6-3 287 28 6 Michigan
97 Pagan, Jeoffrey DE 6-3 310 R Alabama
74 Warmsley, Julius DE 6-2 296 R Tulane
99 Watt, J.J. DE 6-5 289 25 4 Wisconsin
94 Mathews, Ricardo DT 6-3 300 26 5 Cincinnati
45 Prosch, Jay FB 6-1 256 R Auburn
47 Smelley, Brad FB 6-2 235 25 2 Alabama
39 Ballentine, Lonnie FS 6-3 219 R Memphis
21 Lewis, Kendrick FS 6-0 198 25 5 Mississippi
79 Brooks, Brandon G 6-5 335 24 3 Miami (Ohio)
61 Forsch, Kevin G 6-3 307 R Houston
62 Kupper, Alex G 6-3 299 24 2 Louisville
70 Su'a-Filo, Xavier G 6-4 307 R UCLA
67 White, Cody G 6-3 303 25 3 Illinois State
66 Boffeli, Conor G/C 6-4 304 R Iowa
53 Bullough, Max ILB 6-3 249 R Michigan State
56 Cushing, Brian ILB 6-3 249 27 6 Southern California
61 Young, Chris ILB 6-0 252 R Arizona State
2 Boswell, Chris K 6-2 185 R Rice
4 Bullock, Randy K 5-9 206 24 3 Texas A&M
90 Clowney, Jadeveon LB 6-5 266 R South Carolina
51 Hazel, Paul LB 6-5 227 24 2 Western Michigan
59 Mercilus, Whitney LB 6-4 258 23 3 Illinois
54 Mohamed, Mike LB 6-3 238 26 3 California
91 Sapp, Ricky LB 6-4 252 27 4 Clemson
52 Tarpinian, Jeff LB 6-3 240 26 4 Iowa
57 Tuggle, Justin LB 6-0 247 24 2 Kansas State
46 Weeks, Jon LS 5-10 246 28 5 Baylor
71 Brown, Austin NT 6-2 295 R Miami (Ohio)
92 Nix, Louis NT 6-2 331 R Notre Dame
95 Powe, Jerrell NT 6-2 331 27 3 Mississippi
65 Ankrah, Jason OLB 6-3 262 R Nebraska
63 Lloyd, Terrance OLB 6-3 238 R Baylor
64 McAllister, Chris OLB 6-2 255 R Baylor
58 Reed, Brooks OLB 6-3 254 27 4 Arizona
50 Williams, Trevardo OLB 6-1 237 23 2 Connecticut
77 Quessenberry, David OT 6-5 307 23 2 San Jose State
73 Williams, Brennan OT 6-6 314 23 2 North Carolina
9 Lechler, Shane P 6-2 237 37 15 Texas A&M
14 Fitzpatrick, Ryan QB 6-2 223 31 10 Harvard
7 Keenum, Case QB 6-1 205 26 3 Houston
3 Savage, Tom QB 6-4 228 R Pittsburgh
13 Yates, T.J. QB 6-4 217 26 4 North Carolina
38 Hal, Andre R 5-10 188 Vanderbilt
44 Blue, Alfred RB 6-2 223 R LSU
33 Brown, Andre RB 6-0 227 27 6 North Carolina State
23 Foster, Arian RB 6-1 227 27 5 Tennessee
41 Grimes, Jonathan RB 5-10 209 24 3 William & Mary
28 Johnson, Dennis RB 5-7 196 2 Arkansas
42 Opurum, Toben RB 6-1 250 23 2 Kansas
31 Keo, Shiloh S 5-11 208 26 4 Idaho
35 Pleasant, Eddie SAF 5-10 210 25 2 Oregon
29 Starling, Jawanza SAF 6-1 206 22 2 USC
20 Clemons, Chris SS 6-1 214 28 6 Clemson
36 Swearinger, D.J. SS 5-10 208 22 2 South Carolina
76 Brown, Duane T 6-4 303 28 7 Virginia Tech
71 Dima, Anthony T 6-6 295 Massachusetts
74 Feiler, Matt T 6-6 330 R Bloomsburg
75 Newton, Derek T 6-6 313 26 4 Arkansas State
72 Witzmann, Bryan T 6-7 311 R South Dakota State
85 Coyle, Chris TE 6-4 243 R Arizona State
81 Denham, Anthony TE 6-4 235 R Utah
87 Fiedorowicz, C.J. TE 6-5 265 R Iowa
88 Graham, Garrett TE 6-3 243 27 4 Wisconsin
84 Griffin, Ryan TE 6-6 254 24 2 Connecticut
86 Potter, Zach TE 6-7 269 28 4 Nebraska
12 Bester, Lacoltan WR 6-3 208 R Oklahoma
16 Bonner, Alan WR 5-10 191 23 2 Jacksonville State
10 Hopkins, DeAndre WR 6-1 207 21 2 Clemson
80 Johnson, Andre WR 6-3 230 32 12 Miami (Fla.)
19 Labhart, Travis WR 5-9 182 R Texas A&M
17 Lemon, Alec WR 6-2 207 2 Syracuse
82 Martin, Keshawn WR 5-11 194 24 3 Michigan State
18 McClung, Anthony WR 6-0 177 R Cincinnati
87 Nwachukwu, Uzoma WR 5-11 198 23 2 Texas A&M
11 Posey, DeVier WR 6-1 210 24 3 Ohio State
89 Thomas, Mike WR 5-8 198 26 6 Arizona

[Nconroe]

From Texans web-site

Offense
POS First Second Third Other
WR1 DeAndre Hopkins Keshawn Martin Alec Lemon Lacoltan Bester
Anthony McClung Joe Adams
LT Duane Brown Will Yeatman
LG Ben Jones Xavier Su'a-Filo Sam Longo
C Chris Myers James Ferentz
RG Alex Kupper Conor Boffeli Bronson Irwin Brandon Brooks
RT Derek Newton Tyson Clabo Matt Feiler Mike Farrell
TE Garrett Graham Ryan Griffin C.J. Fiedorowicz Anthony Denham
Zach Potter
WR2 Andre Johnson DeVier Posey Mike Thomas Uzoma Nwachukwu
Travis Labhart Kofi Hughes
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick Case Keenum Tom Savage
RB Arian Foster Andre Brown Dennis Johnson Alfred Blue
Tim Cornett Jonathan Grimes
FB Jay Prosch Toben Opurum

Defense
POS First Second Third Other
RDE J.J. Watt Tim Jamison Julius Warmsley
NT Jerrell Powe Ricardo Mathews Austin Brown David Hunter
Louis Nix III
LDE Jared Crick Keith Browner Jeoffrey Pagan
SLB Brooks Reed Jason Ankrah Lawrence Sidbury Chris McAllister
ILB Justin Tuggle Max Bullough Terrance Lloyd Brian Cushing
ILB Jeff Tarpinian Mike Mohamed Akeem Dent Chris Young
JLB Jadeveon Clowney Whitney Mercilus Quentin Groves Paul Hazel
LCB Kareem Jackson A.J. Bouye Josh Victorian Marcus Williams
RCB Johnathan Joseph Brandon Harris Elbert Mack Andre Hal
SS D.J. Swearinger Shiloh Keo Eddie Pleasant
FS Kendrick Lewis Chris Clemons Jawanza Starling Lonnie Ballentine

Special Teams
POS First Second Third Other
PK Randy Bullock Chris Boswell
P Shane Lechler
LS Jon Weeks
KR Mike Thomas Keshawn Martin Alfred Blue Joe Adams
PR Mike Thomas Keshawn Martin DeVier Posey Joe Adams
H Shane Lechler

[Arky]

John Harris comments on the depth chart - Offense (partial):

I've been at the observation game for the past ten days, but today, I figured I'd give you a completely different observation. 90 players on the roster, right?

Let me give you a nugget on each guy in preparation for Saturday night. I've told you all about the practices the past ten days, so let's encapsulate that in a two part observation series. Not to mention the depth chart arrived on Tuesday, so I'll address that in this two part series as well.

Today, the offense. I'll take each player and tell you what I've seen, what I like and what needs work. Then, you can have a cheat sheet on Saturday night while you watch the game. The players are listed in order of the most recently released depth chart

QB
No. 14 Ryan Fitzpatrick
When managing the up-tempo, he has an excellent handle on the pace and execution of the offense...changes his arm slot to make throws...learning where to throw the ball in the throwing radius of his receivers, mainly DeAndre Hopkins

No. 7 Case Keenum
Been up and down...good moments have been fantastic...tough moments have been really rough...needs to pick up pace on nearly everything - decision making, changing and execting plays...made a number of plays on bootlegs, on the move...Saturday is a HUGE day for Keenum to maintain this number two position.

No. 3 Tom Savage
Getting more reps by the day...seems to be more comfortable in the scheme...wants to be great...putting in the work to do so...when he drives the ball, there's no arm close to his...has thrown a couple of nice touch throws in team activities during camp.

RB
No. 23 Arian Foster
We know what he can do...been recovering from an injury, allowing other guys reps...much needed chess piece in this offense...wouldn't be shocked to see him not play on Saturday at Arizona.

No. 33 Andre Brown
Bruising, downhill runner...okay hands but not to the level of the other backs in this stable...interesting to see how much power game Texans will run with him in the game Saturday

No. 28 Dennis Johnson
Struggled catching the ball early in camp...rebounded and performed well since...numbers game is going to make it tough...that makes Saturday the most important game he's played in a while to fight for the roster.

No. 32 Tim Cornett
North Shore HS product...a training camp addition who has plenty of speed...showed his pop/power early in training camp...not sure how much of a showcase will he get on Saturday.

No. 44 Alfred Blue
Showed a full array of skills not many knew he possessed when he got here...still a rookie, but seems to understand the offense at this point...most fans will want to see him, more than any other RB, presumably.

No. 41 Jonathan Grimes
Missed a few days early with an injury...but has looked sharp...like his scoots/quicks and the way he runs inside...may get a bunch of work early on Saturday, no matter where he's listed on the depth chart

FB
No. 45 Jay Prosch
He hits hard...very, VERY hard and if he can play on Saturday, he'll be looking for a red shirt like the bull he is.

No. 42 Toben Opurum
Been a RB, DE and a FB over the past four years dating back to college...athletic but not sure he's a true fullback...will need to impact special teams to get this staff's full attention

WR
No. 80 Andre Johnson
After laying out for a pass reception, he's not been back in practice...when on the field, he's been sharp as ever.

No. 10 DeAndre Hopkins
Has caught nearly everything...since Andre's been out of practice, he's starred...can't wait to see him battle with Patrick Peterson on Saturday night...ready for next step.

No. 11 DeVier Posey
Works his tail off every day...had a couple of key drops throughout the week, but looked crisp the majority of the time...finally free of suspension/injury and 100% for the first time in years

No. 82 Keshawn Martin
Looks comfortable in the slot, even though he didn't truly play that position the last two years...still made some nice catches on the perimeter, including a great over the shoulder catch early in camp...needs to make a play or three on Saturday to not only lock up a roster spot but also to show the coaches how much impact he can have on Sundays.

No. 89 Mike Thomas
Been one of my three top players in camp...this slot receiver position fits him better than any position/scheme has in his career...can get open against anyone...still in tough competition for the slot receiver position in three wide sets...look for him to return punts and kicks as well on Saturday night.

No. 15 Alec Lemon
Steady...not going to run past anyone but catches what you throw at him...been solid and should have a great stage on Saturday to audition for a roster spot.

No. 18 Anthony McClung
Haven't seen many opportunities in camp.

No. 12 Lacolton Bester
Came to rookie mini-camp without a contract, left with one...made a couple of diving catches in camp...not the fastest, but is elusive...not the biggest, but strong going up for the ball...would like to see him catch the ball in space on Saturday night

No. 17 EZ Nwachukwu
The bona fide "star" of training camp if there is one...catches nearly everything...not the greatest hands but he's so wide open a great deal of the time that he can "absorb" the ball into his body...gives the Texans something they haven't really have, blazing fast speed.

No. 19 Travis Labhart
Maybe the coaches and the organization have been surprised at his performance, but not those that saw him at Texas A&M...dropped one quick screen early in camp and haven't seen him lose one since...wins in 1-on-1 against any type of defensive back...can make an impression that earns him more time over the rest of the pre-season...a big Saturday night performance will do nothing but bolster his case.

No. 83 Kofi Hughes
Been injured for most, if not all of training camp...would love to see him on the field as I really liked what he looked like during OTAs

No. 6 Joe Adams
Signed late last week as a combination receiver/returner candidate...still getting comfortable with the offensive scheme...may need to make a play on punt return where he just has to react and run during this pre-season.

Rest of the offense here.

[Arky]

John Harris comments on the depth chart - Defense (partial):

DE
No. 99 JJ Watt
Think of the most effusive adjective you can...he's better than that

No. 96 Tim Jamison
Loved the way he's competed in camp...for a stretch during pass rush 1-on-1s and stunt pass protection drills, he was nearly unblockable...given the team's health issues at NT, wouldn't be surprised to see him there for a handful of snaps too.

No. 74 Julius Warmsley
Doesn't look the part at all...too short, too small, but he's done nothing but make plays...he came to Houston for rookie mini-camp on a try-out, impressed the staff and left with a contract...playing with house money so to speak...his technique and motor help propel him...can also long snap in a pinch

NT
No. 95 Jerrell Powe
Powe stands for Power...when he's got his wind, he's as powerful a nose tackle as there is...seen a little wiggle from him getting upfield on the pass rush, but let's not allow our focus to stray...he's been brought here to protect 56 and the other ILB...haven't seen his kind, i.e big boned, in Houston for a while, if ever...as such, Saturday night v. Arizona will be a new experience for a lot of us.

No. 94 Ricardo Mathews
Learning the nose position, but natural position is the 4-tech (3-4 DE)...when Louis Nix III is healthy, that's where he'll go...playing nose, though, allows him to add to his toolbox...quicker than he looks...powerful with his hands...a former wrestler so he understands leverage and plays with it at the point of attack.

No. 71 Austin Brown
Like Warmsley, not the perfect body type to play over the nose...like Warmsley, he's made plays against the threes in practice...numbers game is going to be tough to make the roster...any snaps he gets in four pre-season games vital for, worst case, practice squad

No. 66 David Hunter
Been in and out of Texans camp for a few years...returned just prior to training camp...he's made some "whoa" plays in camp, but I thought he was better in previous camps...that said, Saturday is perfect showcase for him to get attention heading into Atlanta week.

No. 92 Louis Nix III
Pre-season PUP...nothing worse than injured Irish Chocolate

DE
No. 93 Jared Crick
Maddening, first word that comes to mind...flashes with burst, quickness and power on one play...gets knocked three yards off the ball on the next...consistently hear DL coach Bill Kollar saying the name "Crick", which is both good and bad...will/should get first crack at the spot opposite of Watt.

No. 98 Keith Browner
No one looks the part more than Browner...quiet camp but batted a couple of passes down the past couple of practices...consummate teammate...a guy many are cheering for to make this roster

No. 97 Jeoffrey Pagan
When healthy, motivated and turned up, he can wreck shop...seeing him healthy for training camp was a great sign...like most rookies, he's flashed numerous times...has also been rolled a few times...at 310 pounds, he provides a beefier alternative at DE opposite Watt...consistency is key...should get plenty of reps in the second half on Saturday night to make an impression.

SAM
No. 58 Brooks Reed
Been his best camp...fearless, relentless and strong at the point of attack against the run...exclusively OLB in training camp...exclusively ILB in mini-camp and OTAs...best pass rush periods I've seen in his four years here...shouldn't play much on Saturday night.

No. 65 Jason Ankrah
Undrafted rookie out of Nebraska...making transition to 3-4 OLB from 4-3 DE...done it better than anyone expected...has always had athletic ability...seems the stand up spot and its responsibilities fit him better than playing down...better, much better in coverage than expected...if he makes this roster, he needs a 50s number.

No. 91 Lawrence Sidbury
Veteran with perhaps his final opportunity, came in with Quentin Groves early in training camp...has picked up scheme quickly...looks like he's got some juice left...Saturday will tell a clearer story, though

No. 64 Chris McAllister
Undrafted rookie from Baylor, like former BU teammate Terrance Lloyd...uphill climb to get on the roster...special teams and late fourth quarter will be his chance to shine

MIKE
No. 56 Brian Cushing
He'll be ready, later...that's all you need to know

No. 57 Justin Tuggle
Former quarterback in junior college...only played linebacker for three seasons...only played inside linebacker for half a season...still learning some of the nuances of playing inside...can see the smarts, quickness to the ball and desire to be physical, though...first play in 9-on-7 in training camp, he read the play and knifed into the backfield, making the hit almost simultaneously with the handoff...can't emphasize enough how important this Saturday night game is for him.

No. 53 Max Bullough
Perhaps the most well known undrafted rookie on this roster...should've been drafted in May...better in coverage than I expected him to ever be...calling card is the ability to stuff the run...knows the defense well...will call the defensive signals with his group...can take a significant step toward making the 53 on Saturday night.

No. 63 Terrance Lloyd
Played mainly outside linebacker in college...with some injuries inside, he moved there to have an improved shot at auditioning for the coaching staff.

WILL
No. 52 Jeff Tarpinian
Pure football player...when you see him in street clothes, you'd never know he's an NFL player...that said, he's as intelligent a football player as there is...innate ability to avoid trash inside and find the ball...along with Tuggle and Mike Mohamed, he'll compete for the starting spot opposite a healthy Cushing.

No. 54 Mike Mohamed
Similar makeup as Tarpinian but hasn't had the game experience that Tarpinian's had...top notch football instincts...could see him starting next to Cushing...could see him fighting for roster spot......these four games will determine which it'll be for 2014.

No. 50 Akeem Dent
Injured the day prior to the first day in pads and haven't seen him since...need to see him compete

No. 61 Chris Young
Undrafted out of Arizona State, which surprised me a bit...doesn't look the part...shorter and not blessed with a Greek Adonis body...yet, football intelligence helps him immensely...excellent pair of plays earlier this week in pass coverage during a goal line drill...have a feeling that he'll show up when the lights go on.

JACK
No. 90 Jadeveon Clowney
Whether he starts or plays at all in the pre-season, it doesn't matter...it's about what he does starting September 7 against RGIII and Redskin company.

No. 59 Whitney Mercilus
Not the same story for Mercilus...incredibly important three weeks...needs to be violent against the run this and every weekend...natural pass rush skills will shine but his ability to play the run will determine the % time he's on the field throughout this season.

No. 47 Quentin Groves
Like Sidbury, this could be Groves' last chance to make a roster...making the most of that shot though...veteran experience...can he threaten the edge consistently?...we'll find out Saturday night.

No. 51 Paul Hazel
Lithe...wiry...sure doesn't look the part of the traditional 3-4 OLB...severe logjam in front of him to make the roster...that said, there are no locks at OLB so three solid weeks in pre-season games will open eyes.

The rest of the defense here.