See where Texans sit in ESPN’s future power rankings
Will the Houston Texans get worse over the next three years?
Even though the Houston Texans have made it a habit of reaching the playoffs over the past few years, people still don’t seem to believe in them.
The NFL is a league that’s very difficult to predict since a player’s career can end at any moment due to the brutality of the sport.
Some teams are certainly set up better than others to succeed and I would think the Texans are one of them given how well general manager Rick Smith has done when it comes to building a roster loaded with talent.
ESPN’s NFL insiders have posted an article that projects what kind of shape every team is in heading into the next three years.
The Texans have come in at No. 23. Here’s what ESPN’s experts had to say about Houston:
"Why they’re here: This is lower than many would expect the Texans to be ranked, given they have won consecutive division titles and finished first in yards per game allowed last season despite missing J.J. Watt for most of the season. But the ranking will pivot based on Deshaun Watson’s progression. If he’s a home run pick, Houston will contend in the AFC. This much is certain: After already trading away both its first- and second-round picks in 2018, the Texans need Watson to be their answer at quarterback. — Field YatesBiggest worry: When you move up in the draft to select a QB, you better be right. The Texans’ regime hasn’t had the best luck at identifying/developing a franchise QB. Brock Osweiler, Brandon Weeden, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett and Ryan Fitzpatrick all turned out to be backups/marginal starters. Watson’s development (or lack thereof) will determine how Bill O’Brien is remembered in Houston when his time is up. Count on it. — Louis RiddickWhat could change for the better: Houston ranks only 24th in quarterback outlook, quite a bit lower than teams such as Kansas City (13th) and the Chargers(15th). Why? There’s a realistic chance that Watson will be as good or better than Patrick Mahomes II or whoever might be behind center for the Chiefs three years from now. — Mike Sando"
Yates is right, the Texans’ future does depend on whether or not Watson turns out to be the answer at quarterback. But you also can’t ignore how good the rest of their roster is.
Texans’ head coach Bill O’Brien has proven that he can win with average quarterback play. He did it with Brian Hoyer, Ryan Fitzpatrick and of course Brock Osweiler.
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Riddick is also right when it comes to the Texans having a hard time finding and developing a franchise quarterback. But I don’t know of a team that’s batting a thousand in that department.
Even the New England Patriots continued to whiff at quarterbacks in the draft until they grabbed Jimmy Garaoppolo.