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Houston Texans: 5 moves needed to compete with Indianapolis Colts in 2019

By Ryan Freeberg

HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 05: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans looks to pass under pressure by Margus Hunt #92 of the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter during the Wild Card Round at NRG Stadium on January 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 05: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans looks to pass under pressure by Margus Hunt #92 of the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter during the Wild Card Round at NRG Stadium on January 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 09: Lamar Miller #26 of the Houston Texans rushes past Clayton Geathers #26 of the Indianapolis Colts during the third quarter at NRG Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 09: Lamar Miller #26 of the Houston Texans rushes past Clayton Geathers #26 of the Indianapolis Colts during the third quarter at NRG Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

2. Attack draft and free agency for running backs

While at the NFL Scouting Combine, a lot of rumors flew that the Houston Texans were very keen on watching the running backs group. Texas A&M running back Trayveon Williams reported that he had a scheduled meeting with the Texans while at the combine. Outside of current starter Lamar Miller, the running back group is wide open.

Longtime third down and goal-line back, Alfred Blue, likely will depart in free agency. D’Onta Foreman showed flashes of excellence during his rookie campaign, but spent much of this past season recuperating from a torn Achilles tendon.

Not once in any of the games against the Indianapolis Colts this year did Houston have a running back break 50 yards on the ground. The highest rushing total for the Texans came in the playoffs, Watson scrambled for 76 yards on eight rushes. Houston is a run-first team as head coach Bill O’Brien has said this countless times.

The Texans ran the ball effectively throughout the season, Miller averaged 4.6 yards per carry and was just 24 yards short of 1,000 yards on the year, and Houston finished as the third best rushing attack in the NFL. Indianapolis’ defense finished with the eight ranked rushing defense in the NFL, surrendering just over 100 yards a game on the ground.

If Houston wants to get the edge against the Colts next season, adding to their corp of running backs will need to be key. This is if Houston plans to continue the run-first philosophy, which they undoubtedly will.

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