NFL Power Rankings 2020 preseason: Where do LA Rams fall?

Team 18 – Houston Texans (10-6)

The Houston Texans are bleeding talent slowly with each transaction. While they were good enough to win in an average AFC South division in 2019, the division became far more competitive in 2020. The Texans traded away WR DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for next to nothing and then traded with the LA Rams for his replacement Brandin Cooks.

2019 summary

The Texans had one of the best passer-receiver duos in WR DeAndre Hopkins and QB DeShaun Watson. They combined for 1165 yards and seven touchdowns. The Texans running game led by Carlos Hyde who ran for over 1000 yards and six touchdowns, is gone as well. So the Texans parted with both of their most dangerous offensive weapons in 2019? Yes, that’s about it.

Players lost

The Texans parted ways with WR DeAndre Hopkins, RB Carlos Hyde, DT D.J. Reader, CB Jonathan Joseph, and seven outer players who remain unsigned.

Players added

The team added RB David Johnson, WR Brandin Cooks, S Eric Murray, WR Randall Cobb, and CB Jaylen Watkins. The team drafted DT Ross Blacklock, Edge Jonathan Greenard, and OT Charlie Heck.

2020 outlook

As much as the Houston Texans try to win, their personnel moves seem to place the team into reverse once more. The Texans are without their two best offensive skill players and cling to the hope that the addition of veterans from other teams will replicate that production this year.  That’s a tall task, particularly for a team that faces the Colts and Titans twice. These Texans slide below .500 as a result.