Houston Texans 53-man roster prediction post-Clowney signing

The third edition of the roster prediction series is here. Nick Caserio made multiple decisive additions to replenish the ranks after several injuries on defense. It is more difficult than ever to evaluate who is on the fringes of the roster due to a new team policy. I’ve cut through the clutter, scoured videos, and sourced my own knowledge to bring you the most up-to-date roster prediction on the market. Here’s a quick recap of everything that’s happened at Texans Training Camp:

Injuries: Jaylin Noel (finger), M.J. Stewart (quad), Jake Hansen (ankle)

Additions: DE Jadeveon Clowney, DT Mario Edwards Jr., LB Sione Takitaki

Cuts: RB Evan Hull, OT Derrick Graham

Here are the past 53-man roster predictions

Note: Rookies are in bold and UDFAs are italicized

Last Four In:

British Brooks, RB/FB

Alijah Huzzie, DB

Naquan Jones, DT

Sione Takitaki, LB

First Four Out:

Mario Edwards Jr., DT

Tremon Smith, CB

Cade Stover, TE

Evan Brown – OC/OG

Biggest Riser: Jake Andrews, OC

By rule, a “riser” has to be on the roster before the previous Rosterology. Therefore, Mario Edwards Jr. and Jadeveon Clowney don’t fit. Though the Texans have tried to move on, Jake Andrews persists. Andrews practices with the starters more than Rutledge, and the coaching staff trusts him despite his athletic deficiencies.

Honorable mention goes to WR Justin Watson, who went from “First Four Out” in the first two editions to squarely on the roster.

Biggest Faller: Jake Hummel, LB

Hummel’s absence from camp has been as mysterious as unfortunate. With the injuries to E.J. Speed and Jake Hansen, Hummel was a ‘First Four In” two weeks ago. Now, he’s nowhere to be found. The Texans signed Sione TakiTaki this weekend to fill in the gap.

Honorable mention goes to DE Dominique Robinson, who dropped out of the 53 when Jadeveon Clowney came back into the fold.

Quarterbacks: 3

C.J. Stroud, Davis Mills, Graham Mertz

Analysis: Mertz moves from outside the bubble to on the roster after I sought further analysis into the Texans’ history. In the past five roster cut downs, they’ve alway kept three QBs on the roster. I cannot see the Texans switching things up anytime soon. Mertz has practiced exclusively on the third team, knows the offense well, and should make the team. This isn’t about the best 53, it’s about predicting the right 53.

Running Backs: 4

David Montgomery, Woody Marks, British Brooks, Jawhar Jordan

CUT: Noah Whittington, Josh Pitsenberger

Analysis: I waxed poetic about British Brooks two weeks ago only to completely renege on my opinion. He is getting more run than Jordan at RB3, but I’m concerned about the team keeping four RBs given the depth at TE.

Evan Hull (who I was going to start calling Evan of House Hull based on HBO’s House of the Dragon), was cut to make way for veteran DE Mario Edwards Jr.

The Texans brought in two top free agent options in Alexander Mattisson and Hassan Haskins but signed neither one. Still one of the weakest position groups despite UDFA Noah Whittington’s steady improvement.

Wide Receivers: 6

Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Jayden Higgins, Justin Watson, Xavier Hutchinson, Lewis Bond

CUT: Jared Wayne, Daniel Sobkowics, Jalen Walthall, Treyvhon Saunders, Jha’Quan Jackson, DJ Turner

INJURED RESERVE: Jaylin Noel

Analysis: Watson swaps in for Noel due to the lingering injury. If Noel is healthy, the offense will keep seven WRs. Watson is too integral to this offense to cut him loose. The staff lean on him more than fans consider. That will push a safety, RB, or DT off the roster in a future edition.

Jared Wayne, the WR who collided with and fractured Tank Dell’s leg in 2024, is back and proving a point. He is working with the second team and is clearly a favorite in this offense. Potentially outplaying Lewis Bond for the last roster spot.

Tight Ends: 4

Dalton Schultz, Marlin Klein, Foster Moreau, Brevin Jordan

CUT: Cade Stover, Layne Pryor, Louis Hansen

Analysis: “Sideline Klein” has impressed thusfar. He’s utilized as a blocker and rarely targeted in the passing game, but he’s in there with the starters. Stover is the clear odd one out. I wouldn’t be surprised if Houston trades him in the preseason for a late-round pick. Doubtful Houston can stash him on their practice squad.

Offensive Lineman: 9

Aireontae Ersery, Braden Smith, Trent Brown, Wyatt Teller, Jake Andrews, Blake Fisher, Keylan Rutledge, Febechi Nwaiwu, Ed Ingram

CUT: Evan Brown, Jarrett Patterson, Eli Cox, Jarrett Kingston, Sam Hagen, James Neal III

Analysis: It’s being reported, even if the Texans PR department discourages it, that Jake Andrews is running with the starting offensive line. That pushes him back onto the Rosterology. He replaces Evan Brown, who has not been seen with the first team since Rutledge started rotating at center and guard.

One thought: reports from camp indicate little improvement up front. Could the Texans make a big move and trade for a young, impact offensive lineman?

Defensive Ends: 4

Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Dylan Horton, Jadeveon Clowney

CUT: Dominique Robinson, Solomon Byrd, Ali Gaye, Sabastian Harsh

Analysis: The addition of Clowney bolsters this group immensely. It also pushes Dominique Robinson off the roster entirely. Robinson has yet to show anything demonstrative in practice to earn a spot – hence the signing of Clowney. Could Robinson still make the roster as the fifth DE? Absolutely, but it’s yet to earn a spot through his on field play.

Defensive Tackles: 5

Tommy Togiai, Sheldon Rankins, Kayden McDonald, Logan Hall, Naquan Jones

CUT: Mario Edwards Jr., Junior Tafuna, Dominic Bailey, Kyonte Hamilton

Analysis: The return of Mario Edwards Jr. throws a nasty curveball into this group and makes it much more interesting. However, he was one of the worst-graded DTs in the NFL last year and is 32. Jones looks formidable at practice and played well last year as the usurper to Edwards Jr.

I don’t have Edwards cracking the roster just yet. I need to see him out-perform Jones.

Linebackers: 6

Henry To’oTo’o, Azeez Al-Shaair, Wade Woodaz, Jamal Hill, Marte Mapu, Sione TakiTaki

INJURED RESERVE: E.J. Speed, Jake Hansen

CUT: K.C. Ossai, Aiden Fisher

Analysis: This group has gone through a turbine. No Speed. No Hansen. Enter TakiTaki. It’s yet to be seen if he’s going to make an impact or not, but he’s a much needed veteran.

Fisher has made plenty of plays at practice but can be an easy practice squad carryover.

Cornerbacks: 4

Derek Stingley Jr. Kamari Lassiter, Jaylin Smith, Alijah Huzzie

CUT: Tremon Smith, Ja’Marcus Ingram, Brandon Codrington, Stephen Hall, Collin Wright

Analysis: The more I play around with the numbers, the more I think Tremon Smith is at jeopardy. His main role is a gunner on special teams, but that isn’t nearly enough to keep promising second-year CBs Jaylin Smith and Alijah Huzzie away. Especially with the need for depth at LB and DE, Tremon may be a roster casualty at 30 years old.

Safeties: 5

Reed Blankenship, Calen Bullock, Jalen Pitre, Kamari Ramsey, Jaylen Reed

CUT: Kevon Merriweather

INJURED RESERVE: M.J. Stewart

Analysis: The stress of picking who stays in this room stems from the fact that last season only three safeties made the initial roster. Ramsey and Reed are the depth and future.

Jack Stonehouse, Kai’mi Fiarbairn, Austin Brinkman

CUT: P Kai Kroeger

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