The construction of an NFL roster begins to get real right after the conclusion of the draft. At that point, NFL teams have almost everybody that will be showcasing themselves in training camp in the building. Teams can really begin to see how their new guys operate — in workouts, behind the scenes, and very soon, on the field.
The Houston Texans drafted eight new players last week, and added several more as undrafted free agents. The Texans happened to to have one of the deepest rosters in football, so the ceiling for most of the young players in camp is to hope for a berth on the practice squad.
A few of the rookies, by virtue of where they were drafted (and likely, quality play), will make the 53 man roster. When I last went through the exercise of constructing a way, WAY too early version of the 53 man roster, I left a half dozen or so spots open for rookies that would get drafted in late April. Well, now we can fill in those spots with actual names.
Without further ado, here is Version 2.0 of my Houston Texans 53 man roster, with a few thoughts following the list:
QUARTERBACK (2): C.J. Stroud, Davis Mills
RUNNING BACK (4): David Montgomery, Woody Marks, Jawhar Jordan, British Brooks
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Nico Collins, Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson, Tank Dell, Justin Watson
TIGHT END (4): Dalton Schultz, Foster Moreau, Cade Stover, MARLIN KLEIN
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Aireontae Ersery, Wyatt Teller, Ed Ingram, Braden Smith, Trent Brown, Evan Brown, Blake Fisher, KEYLAN RUTLEDGE, FEBECHI NWAIWU
DEFENSIVE LINE (8): Will Anderson, Danielle Hunter, Sheldon Rankins, Tommy Togiai, Logan Hall, Dylan Horton, Dominique Robinson, KAYDEN McDONALD
LINEBACKERS (6): Azeez Al-Shaair, Henry To’o To’o, E.J. Speed, Jamal Hill, Jake Hansen, WADE WOODAZ
CORNERBACKS (5): Derek Stingley, Kamari Lassiter, Jaylin Smith, Tremon Smith, Ja’Marcus Ingram
SAFETY (5): Calen Bullock, Reed Blankenship, Jaylen Reed, M.J. Stewart, KAMARI RAMSEY
JALEN PITRE (1): Jalen Pitre
SPECIALISTS (3): Austin Brinkman, Jake Stonehouse, Ka’imi Fairbairn
As promised, a few thoughts, clarifications, and proclamations:
I’m still nervous about the running back position
I love the acquisition of David Montgomery from the Lions, and Woody Marks sure did outperform his fourth round draft slot as a rookie last season. However, I am terrified that the depth behind them consists of Jawhar Jordan and his four career games, and British Brooks and his 18 career carries. This room could use another experienced back, but the problem is that the best ones are probably beat up old dudes, à la Nick Chubb last season.
A reminder, Jalen Pitre is his own position
Pitre is the only player, in my nearly two decades of constructing mock 53 man rosters, who got his own position designation. Is he a slot corner? Yes. But is he also a linebacker? Definitely. What about safety? Sure, not as much as early in his career, but yeah. Thus, he is, quite simply, “Jalen Pitre,” and there is only one of him in the entire league.
Here were the final few to make the team….
I’ll go in order. Once I filled in all of the easy choices, I had about a half dozen or so spots left. Adding Cade Stover as a fourth tight end was one I pondered for a long time. I think Stover is in danger of getting cut, except for the fact that the Texans have declared the maximum desire to run the football this season, and thus, I had four tight ends in the final mix. On the offensive line, I have Blake Fisher making the team and starting 2025 center Jake Andrews getting cut. Positional value was the main thing there. On defense, I have the cockroach of all cockroaches, Jake Hansen, making the team yet again. Also, I have 11 defensive backs (including Pitre), with Ja’Marcus Ingram making the squad.
Here were the final few cuts….
As mentioned above, Andrews was a tough cut, as was Jarrett Patterson on the offensive line. Nick Caserio might be able to flip one or both of them for a late round pick at the end of camp. I pondered keeping sixth round rookie Lewis Bond at receiver over Watson, but in the end, I kept the vet, since Bond will likely clear waivers if they cut him, and he can re-sign on the practice squad. On defense, Naquon Jones was the last defensive lineman cut, Jake Hummel was the last linebacker cut, and Alijah Huzzie was the last defensive backs cut.
