Texans have several positional battles in 2024

Jayson Braddock

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Texans have several positional battles in 2024 image

Houston’s 2024 offseason program has come to an end. The Texans won’t return to the field for practice until training camp in mid-July. Upon their return, the competition for starting, backup and roster spots truly begin. 

A few days after the start of camp, the pads go on. Until that moment, there are no definitive assessments to be made. It’s all glorified drills without contact and guys running around in shorts, t-shirts and a helmet.

Getting new players to understand their assignments while toying around with different alignments to best understand how their personnel complement one another is more of a focus than winning a rep. Everyone is thinking and no one is hitting. 

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That changes next month. Each rep will take on added emphasis. The playful run after a short catch in early June will be replaced by a jaw-dropping pop in the sweltering Houston heat of July. Smiling banter gives way to teammate-on-teammate fights as jobs are on the line and the heat brings out the bull in every Texan.

Here’s how the competitions line up for next month’s training camp.

Texans have several positional battles in 2024

Starting center

The starting center position could have as many as four guys competing for reps, depending on how things shake out at other positions on the interior of the line.

Juice Scruggs, Jarrett Patterson, Kendrick Green and even Kenyon Green could all eventually see reps at the position.

Scruggs is the favorite at the position. He’s looked stout and quick in his sets, although pads haven’t been on. Scruggs recently drew praise from his head coach DeMeco Ryans when asked how the second-year lineman has progressed.

“Juice is looking great. He’s been here most of the offseason. Even before we started our offseason program Juice was here working out with our strength staff,” Ryans said. “You can see he’s a little stronger, looks better. I’m encouraged where Juice is right now.”

If Scruggs struggles or moves to a different position on the line, Patterson would be most ideal to start. Patterson is best suited as a center, whereas Scruggs should be a stud at center or guard. 

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Kendrick Green is most likely to serve as a depth piece across the interior offensive line but if injuries hit again to the unit or if shuffling across the line happens, Kendrick could take reps at the position but would be the third or fourth option as the team heads into camp.

Kenyon Green has always been pegged as the left guard of the future. If he struggles to start Year 3, the Texans could kick Scruggs out and instead of moving Green to a depth role, they could try him as the starting center. 

Speaking in expectations, the first option should be Scruggs, followed by Patterson, then it’s probably Kendrick Green but giving Kenyon Green a look there if it doesn’t work out at left guard should be a priority over Kendrick as the third option.

Starting left guard

As previously mentioned, this position has had Kenyon Green’s name on it for the past couple of years. After being selected at No. 15 overall in the 2022 NFL draft, Green struggled as a rookie. He was injured in camp this past year and missed all of his second season. Now, he returns healthy and in great shape. He’s the favorite to start at left guard.

Kenyon Green’s talent was obvious coming out of college. He looks great this year in shorts but no one can tell you how it will translate to his play in Year 3. He has the opportunity to seize the position but there’s talent on the roster if he struggles.

Unless Scruggs steps into the center position in camp and looks like an All-Pro, the most likely move if Kenyon Green struggled at left guard, would be to shift Scruggs there. But, if he’s playing great at center and they consider four of their five starting positions locked down, they may not want to tinker with moving him.

If they leave Scruggs at center no matter what happens in the left guard competition, then Patterson, Kendrick Green and now, even Tytus Howard will get in the mix.

Patterson could get in the competition at left guard but with arms almost a full two inches shorter than Scruggs, a double-switch may make more sense. Allowing Patterson to start at center and Scruggs at left guard could be a better option as a unit.

If Kenyon Green doesn’t work out and they choose to leave Scruggs at center, the Texans could elect to allow Kendrick Green to start at left guard. 

If it gets to the point where the Texans want to leave Scruggs at starting center and Patterson as top backup at center, then the more probable move over starting Kendrick Green at left guard is to allow him to still provide depth at both guard positions with Howard shifting, once again to left guard. By doing so, Blake Fisher would move into the starting right tackle position as a rookie.

If Houston could have their way, they would have their highly invested offensive linemen play in the position that they were acquired for. If it plays out that way, the starting lineup for 2024 would be:

  • LT: Laremy Tunsil (trade & paid)
  • LG: Kenyon Green (first-round pick)
  • C: Juice Scruggs (traded up into second round to pick)
  • RG: Shaq Mason (trade & paid)
  • RT: Tytus Howard (first-round pick & paid)

Starting defensive tackles

This may be the trickiest position to label “starters” for 2024. It’s going to be a deep, healthy rotation. If labeling any two at the position as starters it would be Denico Autry and Foley Fatukasi.

Tim Settle and Mario Edwards were two other outside free agents signed at the position this offseason, along with Autry and Fatukasi. Both should be in a rotation on par with Autry and Fatukasi as Autry will spend time outside on the edge as well as inside. Fatukasi will be limited to more run-stuffing downs.

Settle should be labeled the “third man” at the position due to his position versatility to play both the one and three-technique. This allows him to step up for Autry when he kicks to defensive end or Fatukasi when Houston needs more upfield pursuit from the interior.

Edwards was brought up by defensive coordinator Matt Burke in a press conference. Burke noted that Edwards' style of play, “really has some twitch.” Burke also mentioned how Fatukasi has been in the system from their time together in New York with the Jets.

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On Settle, Burke commented: “Tim Settle is a bigger body type for us in there and still can move. I think our system lends itself to Tim’s skillset and traits, so I’m excited about him.”

Burke also mentioned Khalil Davis, Kurt Hinish and McTelvin Agim at the position. 

“Honestly, the guys that were here, like Kurt and Khalil that got a lot of reps in this system last year and show the same growth curve that some of these guys that we’ve been talking about.” Burke would go on to say that "Sosa" (McTelvin Agim) “has done a really good job.”

It’s a deep group that also includes seventh-round pick Marcus Harris and undrafted free agent Pheldarius Payne. Payne has versatility similar to Autry and Edwards where he can play inside or outside on the defensive line. Harris should factor into the mix as a late-round find. 

This pst year, the Texans had two starters at the position in Maliek Collins and Sheldon Rankins that played around 60% of the defensive snaps. This year, they have a deep group of guys made up of players who will see 30-40% of the snap counts. Autry typically plays 65%-plus of defensive plays but those are split between the interior and the outside.

Houston should keep six of these players on the roster and will have a healthy, talented rotation all season long. None of these guys, currently, are 2024 starters in the sense that they’re going to play over 50% of the defensive snaps at the position in the season. Instead, there should be more than six players with snap counts around 30-40% this season. They’ll remain fresh and provide a constant attack throughout the entire, long, regular season. 

Starting outside cornerback

Rookie Kamari Lassiter has been seeing the reps on the outside. Ryans previously mentioned that he’d start the talented rookie defensive backs, Lassiter and safety Calen Bullock, with one thing. And if they picked it up quickly, they’d move to another area. 

Concerning Lassiter, it was interpreted that he’d start at either the slot or outside cornerback position. If he excelled, Ryans and Burke would cross-train him in other roles. Starting Lassiter on the outside signals that’s the first priority for the Texans.

Lassiter recently won the Texans SWARM Player of the Day for his play at minicamp practice. The Texans also posted a video of Lassiter recording a pass breakup in coverage on the star receiver Stefon Diggs. 

Speed and length are the main concerns for the young defensive back. He has a tenacity as a tackler that will shine in camp once the pads go on. While he’s talented in coverage, Houston may have to tweak the defensive strategy if they choose to start Lassiter outside. 

The Texans could play him in heavy zone looks on that side while Derek Stingley Jr. closes the other side of the field in man coverage. Playing him in off-coverage would be the second-best option. If they were to want him to press on the line and hit with a physical jam, this is where his lack of length and long speed can be targeted. 

It seems as if Ryans and Burke want Lassiter to take the outside cornerback position. If they have hesitations after the pads go on in camp, they have a couple of other options for the position.

Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson were the first two cornerbacks drafted in the 2020 NFL draft as both went inside the top-10 picks. Now, each finds themselves on their third team in five seasons. Both have the length and speed that the NFL’s recent trends seek for press-jam coverage. 

If Lassiter ends up moving inside, Okudah will have the first shot at the position. Pre-draft, he ran 4.48 and was measured with a massive 6-foot-6.5 wingspan. NFL teams are looking for corners that have the speed, agility and length to slow receivers off the line, knock off the route’s rhythm and stay tight enough with length to close windows. Okudah fits the trend perfectly and makes sense as a one-year trial.

Henderson was faster pre-draft at 4.39 with a wingspan just shy of 6-foot-4. The reason Houston picked up Okudah and Henderson, outside of pedigree, is due to how they believe they fit the speed and length parameters required for the current trend. 

They also believe Okudah and Henderson have a better chance to thrive in Houston due to their NASCAR-like pass rush of Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr. and Denico Autry with linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and Christian Harris flying around covering tons of ground. Due to the explosiveness and talent of the front six in Houston, the Texans believe Okudah and Henderson would only need to jam and cover for around 2.5 seconds on most plays. 

On paper, it makes sense. But, it seems as if Houston has its doubts about the decision to start the 4.6-timed cornerback with a wingspan less than 6-foot-2 on the outside for his first NFL reps. Lassiter doesn’t fit the trend that Okduah and Henderson do. While he’s extremely talented, he just factually doesn’t match the speed or length parameters set for the technique they hope to implement for Okudah and Henderson. 

It appears as if Lassiter will get the first shot at cornerback No. 2. In camp when there are pads and a pass rush to help Okudah and Henderson in the scheme they were brought into play, one could rise to starter opposite of Stingley Jr.

Starting slot defensive back

We’ll start with Lassiter again as Houston has been attempting to upgrade to slot cornerback position over Desmond King II for years to no avail. They made their first selection in the draft on a guy who seems to perfectly match that desire.

If Lassiter doesn’t win the outside cornerback position, he’ll still be a starter as the slot is more to his strength. Later on in his career, he could move to safety and be even better.

If Lassiter wins the outside cornerback position, the starting slot may not be the re-signed King, newly signed Myles Bryant, Jimmie Ward or the rookie Calen Bullock. It could be third-year safety Jalen Pitre.

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In an attempt to get their best players on the field, Houston could elect to start Pitre in the slot, where he’s seen some reps this offseason. By doing so, the rookie Bullock moves into the starting lineup at safety with the veteran Ward. The starting nickel defense would consist of defensive backs Stingley Jr, Lassiter, Pitre, Bullock and Ward. 

If Bullock’s not ready to start Week 1 and Lassiter is starting outside at cornerback, then the nickel position would come down to King, Bryant and Ward. 

Lassiter seems to be picking things up quickly this offseason. Houston could start Lassiter at nickel in their starting defense and then when they shift to 4-3-4 looks, he could move to the outside as the only other cornerback on the field with Stingley Jr. That seems like the most logical role for him as a rookie, as long as he continues to pick everything up quickly.

Backup quarterback

Ryans commented on the backup quarterback competition recently:

“Davis [Mills] has improved a lot. Davis has done a great job. Case [Keenum] has done a great job as well.”

In Year 4, it’s Mills' first time coming to camp with the same head coach, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and offense. After starting less than a collegiate season's worth of games in four years at Stanford, he was immediately thrown into action as an NFL rookie with a first-year head coach and limited weapons.

Year 2 saw another new head coach and playbook, followed by a third new head coach in three seasons in 2023 and franchise quarterback addition to the roster in No. 2 overall pick and reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, C.J. Stroud. 

Keenum, Mills and Tim Boyle are all free agents after the season. Houston knows what they have in Keenum. They also have an extra game in the preseason. It’ll be used to attempt to build up Mills' value as either a trade candidate or a future compensatory pick.

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Keenum will be third string unless Mills doesn’t make the most of his preseason spotlight this year. He has a loaded offense that’s returning all of the same coaches and set to play against backups. Mills is set up for success in August, it’s on him now.

Backup running back

Following Pierce's disappointing sophomore campaign, there may be an opportunity for rookie running back Jawhar Jordan to push him for the backup position. 

Or, at least that was the thought before getting to camp. I’ll mention again that pads aren’t on and that’s when you can really judge the running backs. However, Pierce looks and moves differently with and without the ball in his hands. 

Out of the 90-man roster, Pierce is the only player that may have swayed opinions at this point. He definitely has with Ryans as he continues to sing the third-year back’s praise. Ryans mentioned the physical shape that Pierce returned in along with being in the right headspace this year. 

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Jordan will factor in as the third running back behind Joe Mixon and Pierce. He should also get a look on kickoff returns with the new roles allowing for more impact from the position. 

Backup tight end

Brevin Jordan was another player that Ryans had talked up recently:

“I say, ‘I have my daily Brevin clip.’ I show a clip of Brevin every day. He has a highlight of just, Brevin’s playing so fast, so decisive and he’s making some really great catches, tough catches.”

Jordan understands the importance of this season, not only for the team but him personally. He’s in the final year of his rookie contract and his team just re-signed Dalton Schultz at the position, along with trading up in the fourth round of the 2024 Draft to select Cade Stover. 

Schultz is locked in as the starter. Is Jordan the top backup or will the rookie take the job away? It’s interesting with Ryans heaping praise on the fourth-year tight end but we have to remember that it wasn’t too long ago that Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio were enthusiastically praising Stover after his selection. 

Stover may need more development as a prospect and there’s no need to rush him with Schultz, Jordan and Teagan Quitoriano on the roster. Stover will eventually supplant Jordan as the No. 2 tight end this year but it should come in the regular season, not right out of camp. 

Fourth wide receiver

Houston’s trio of receivers, Nico Collins, Diggs and Tank Dell are supported by a talented group of receivers behind them. The remaining receivers include Noah Brown, John Metchie III, Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson, Ben Skowronek and Steven Sims.

Brown is an underrated, versatile receiver, even after what he did when given the opportunity with the Texans in 2023. Woods is the biggest name of the group and has a little juice left but isn’t the same player that he was in the prime of his career. Several other options could be in the mix, but this duo, along with third-year receiver Metchie III, are the top options behind the top three at the position.

Metchie III has always had NFL starting talent as seen by the Texans trading up in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft to select him at pick No. 44. That was even though he was coming off a torn ACL in his last collegiate game. Then, he was struck by the news of the Leukemia diagnosis.

He worked back from both and started to look like his old self late last year as he put up his most productive receiving game in the Wild Card game against the Browns. This offseason, everyone is praising him inside of the organization, including his stud quarterback Stroud. 

Brown could push Metchie III for the fourth receiver with Woods behind him, but it’s Metchie’s job to lose. He’ll see more work than the outside expectations. Despite all of the offensive weapons ahead of him, Metchie will rotate in with the top trio to get the freshest players on the field, as per offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s desire. 

Third linebacker

The third linebacker spot behind Azeez Al-Shaair and Christian Harris should come down to either Jacob Phillips or Henry To’oTo’o. Phillips had a lot of injury history throughout his career, while To'oTo'o has experience in the Texans' defense.

Here's what I've previously written on this positional battle:

Harris and Al-Shaair are the starters in 4-2-5. Jacob Phillips is the top backup and favorite to play alongside them in 4-3-4 looks. To’oTo’o is solid depth behind the top trio and ready to step in if Phillips struggles to stay on the field.

[Neville] Hewitt is fifth behind them in a special teams-only role, unless forced into action due to injuries. He totaled three defensive plays all season this past year. [Jake] Hansen will most likely be unseated by Jamal Hill for his special teams role and developmental upside on defense. [Max] Tooley and [Tarique] Barnes will compete to show their worth on special teams and on defense and one of the duo should edge out Del’Shawn Phillips on the roster. Tooley has the maturity and style of play to contribute immediately if forced into action on the defense. Barnes should be slid to the practice squad if he clears waivers for added developmental depth. 

Jayson Braddock

Jayson Braddock Photo

Jayson Braddock has been covering the Houston Texans since 2009. He previously worked in Houston sports radio at SportsTalk 790 and ESPN 97.5, along with co-hosting on SiriusXM Fantasy. Braddock graduated from the Sports Management Worldwide “Football GM & Scouting” course back in 2009, which was led by former NFL personnel man, John Wooten and former NFL scout Russ Lande. Since leaving the course, Jayson has been evaluating college prospects and NFL talent for different media companies, including RotoExperts, Scout and DrRoto to name a few.