Quick Take: Houston Texans Start OTAs

The Houston Texans entered OTAs with high expectations.  Not only did they win their division last year, but they made so much noise in the offseason that they are already being touted as Super Bowl contenders for the upcoming season.

The additions of quarterback Brock Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller potentially vaulted Houston’s offense to the next level.  With a dominant defense last year, the Texans struggled to maintain reliable play from their offense outside of DeAndre Hopkins and a few others.  They focused on speed and offensive weapons during the draft, and these pieces are all finally coming together in OTAs.

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The Texans lost some practice time at the start of OTAs due to thunderstorms and flooding in Houston.  When  they were able to resume, the offense got straight to work fitting all of the new pieces into place.  OTAs will be a chance for Houston to get the rookie wideouts, new running backs, and incoming quarterback to get a feel for each other and start to work together.

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There is uncertainty about who will be opposite Hopkins at the start of the season.  Jaelen Strong, Cecil Shorts III, Will Fuller, Braxton Miller, and others are all competing for catches, and OTAs will be the beginning of that position and others settling the depth chart.

From reports, the offense appears to be firing on all cylinders.  Lamar Miller has reportedly played with a lot of spark and is adding excitement to the run game.  Jaelen Strong has been said to be stepping up and improving.  And all offseason, there have been reports of DeAndre Hopkins being amazing.  It is an exciting situation to watch as it plays out.

The Texans’ defense is also striving to improve on their impressive 2015 season.  With leader JJ Watt still sidelined and recovering from surgery to repair his torn core muscles, the Houston defensive players continue to work. Former first-overall selection Jadeveon Clowney has said that he is back at 100% from the injuries he suffered last year.  This could finally be the season that everyone gets to see the Watt-Clowney tandem that Houston fans hoped would lead the Texans to a championship.

The team is coming together to form a unit for the first time since all of the major offseason changes have occurred.  The Texans’ offensive potential is one of the biggest question marks in the NFL as the season approaches.  All eyes will be on Houston’s OTAs, as the team develops and the depth chart is established.