Article by AgentWD40 and bighoss34.
Originally published at reddit.com/r/BattleRedBlogRefugees
Since the increase to a 55-man roster is a new game week tweak rather than a season long change, we’re going to assume the regular roster size will stand at 53. In order to increase the game day actives from 46 to 48, eight offensive linemen need to be active, so we’ll need to keep at least nine OL on the initial roster, with one or two on the Practice Squad as well. Anyway, without further ado, here are our roster predictions for the offensive side of the ball…
QB (2): Deshaun Watson, AJ McCarron
Last Cut: Alex McGough
Watson is easily a Top-10 (if not Top-5) QB, and last year AJ proved capable of holding down the fort for a week or two if needed, keeping the Titan’s game competitive even with multiple starters out. In light of the COVID pandemic, it initially seemed reasonable that we might keep three QBs on the roster in case we had a positive diagnosis at some point. However, due to the lack of any real offseason or training camp to adequately prepare and vet younger players, along with the success the NFL has had thus far in containing the virus, it seems unlikely that we’d use a roster spot on a guy like McGough (or any third-string QB, for that matter). It’s similarly unlikely that he’d get picked up by another team, so if he ends up being needed at some point (God forbid), then he should be available.
RB (4): David Johnson, Duke Johnson, Karan Higdon, Cullen Gillaspia
Last Cut: Buddy Howell
First of all, can we all just agree that David Johnson is looking mad swole right now? Okay, great. As for the third running back, it’s difficult to guess who the Texans will keep between Karan Higdon and Scottie Phillips. We’ve all seen glowing film reviews of Phillips, including Clyde Edwards-Helaire comparisons. Meanwhile, Higdon drew some excitement coming into camp in 2019, and he seems to be more of a between-the-tackles back (although not a typical power runner). Regardless, his college tape was littered with long gains busted off from the interior of the line, and with Hyde gone, we need a guy like that to pair with Johnson & Johnson, both of whom get a lot of their yards in space and as receivers. And that pushes Scottie to the Practice Squad. Cullen Gillaspia is probably the safe choice for ST ace over Buddy Howell. Aside from being the only FB on the team, he showed promise as a second level blocker last year in his few offensive snaps, and running backs coach Danny Barrett has already said he hopes to see Gilly in “a more prominent role” this season.
TE (3): Darren Fells, Jordan Akins, Kahale Warring
Last Cut: Dylan Stapleton
Most of us were a bit surprised when the Texans re-signed Darren Fells in the offseason, although he did score seven touchdowns and seemed to have a nice rapport with Watson as a check-down target when on the run. His two-year contract implies that Jordan Thomas (who barely saw the field last season) could be on his way out for a late-round draft pick to a team like the Miami Dolphins looking for a red-zone target. And since both Fells (Y) and Akins (F) are reliable options, we can afford to take a chance on Kahalekuiokalani Michael Wodehouse “Kahale” Warring (U), whose freak athleticism will hopefully translate onto the field this season. Also, he’d somehow end up with only the second longest name on the team, probably for the first time in his life. We know next to nothing about Stapelton, but it’s reasonable to assume that we’ll keep a TE on the Practice Squad.
WR (6): Will Fuller V, Brandin Cooks, Kenny Stills, Randall Cobb, Keke Coutee, Isaiah Coulter
Last Cut: DeAndre Carter
Despite the heartbreaking loss of DeAndre Hopkins, this is without a doubt the deepest receiver group we’ve ever had. Fuller, Cooks, and Stills are all speed demons who can take the top off any offense, and Cobb is the legit slot option this team has been fruitlessly seeking for ages. Now, despite being in BOB’s doghouse last season, we’re picking Coutee over Carter as the backup slot. Coutee’s problems thus far have apparently been more mental than physical, and reports from wide receivers coach John Perry indicate that he “came back with a great attitude” and that “he’s got such an internal fire” to keep getting better every day. So hopefully the kid out of Texas Tech will finally put it all together. Plus, we still haven’t forgiven Carter for that fumbled return against the Chiefs. As for the rookies, there’s a lot to like in Tyler Simmons’ college film as a returner, but as an UDFA, the lack of a real offseason will obviously hurt his chances to stand out. Coulter is kinda in the same boat, but since we did spend a draft pick on him (and he can also return kicks), he probably has a leg up.
OL (9): Laremy Tunsil, Max Scharping, Nick Martin, Zach Fulton, Tytus Howard, Rod Johnson, Senio Kelemete, Greg Mancz, Charlie Heck
Last Cut: Brent Qvale (possible IR stash?)
For the first time in years, we’ll be returning all five starters on the line, which actually could end up being one of the biggest strengths of this team. Crazy, right? However, since the guys in the trenches have the most likely chance of attrition due to COVID spread, let’s knock on wood and hope they all stay healthy. Trading up to grab Charlie Heck in the draft kinda came out of left field, but the team obviously sees a future swing tackle in this coach’s son. Either way, Rowdy Roddy Johnson probably has the inside track right now due to his experience in the system. Kelemete just signed a contract extension, and Mancz is our only true backup center, so both those guys are locks. Cordel Iwuagwu looks like a Practice Squad project, but he has decent length and size. We went ahead and dropped Qvale to make room on the roster for A.J. Moore (but we’ll discuss defense tomorrow).
Specialists (3): Kaimi Fairbairn (K), Bryan Anger (P), Jon Weeks (LS)
We went ahead and included these guys here, since they’re kind of obvious. Also, it gives us another opportunity to write “John Christian Kaʻiminoeauloameka’ikeokekumupa’a Fairbairn.”
Tomorrow… DEFENSE!!!