Houston Texans news: Deshaun Watson and more pre-training camp thoughts

Houston Texans: What can we expect from this 2021 team?

When thinking about who exactly the 2021 Texans are, that isn’t quite so easy, because most likely the ’21 Texans don’t know their own identity yet.

To be honest, unless all of us are completely wrong about the roster of this franchise, the playoffs aren’t happening, but even if that is true, this is an important season for the future of the team. The ’21 Texans are the first step in really seeing where the roster is headed, and seeing which players are staying and which won’t be on the team in ’22.

Houston has a lot of work ahead of them as they don’t have a long-term option at quarterback on the roster if Watson leaves. Tyrod Taylor isn’t on a long-term contract, and none of us know yet how good Jeff Dreskel or Davis Mills are or can become at the QB position.

David Johnson isn’t getting younger at running back, and neither is Mark Ingram, and the jury is still out on how successful Phillip Lindsay can be.

There are a lot of questions for defense, and not many long-term players on that side of the ball either, so it is safe to say the rebuild of the Houston Texans is just beginning, and many more changes are on the way by general manager Nick Caserio.

Even if the wins don’t come for the Texans in ’21, remember this season can be a success in seeing who earns a long-term spot on the roster, and learning who needs added to get back into contention in the AFC South sooner rather than later.