Welcome to Crazy, Newbie.
After the weekend draft, nine new players entered the Houston Texans to help the AFC South win improve. There are four new offensive weapons, a new trench player on both sides, and the two minor members are ready to move forward in their careers.
The top three draft picks should have an immediate impact on the team. Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are the two most important targets, most likely CJ Stroud's No. 2 and No. 4 weapons. Then there is second-round draft pick Aireronte ersery, who may not be a left tackle for the first week, but expects him to take over five pro bowl left tackles for long term Larremy Turemy Tunsil
Cam Robinson, who received a year-on-year $12 million deal earlier this week, is expected to be launched by Tunsi, who will have a bombshell deal with the Washington Commander, who is built around four future draft picks. Robinson is not guaranteed to be the long-term answer to CJ Stroud's new blind spot protector. He allowed seven sacks and gave up the sixth most pressure on offensive tackle in 11 games with the Vikings.
In the wide range of receivers, there is talent besides Nico Collins, but everyone except Christian Kirk is stuck in the lineup. So does the tight room room with Luke Lachey, Iowa.
The draft officially appears in the books, so it's the latest information on the team's (expected) depth map after nine new draft picks arrive.
Note: Unsigned free agents and future trade participants will not be mentioned.
* - Represents a newcomer
Mills returned as a backup of Stroud, but it seems Houston has another long-term plan in case the former third-round racer walks. Mertz led the SEC in the 2023 season with Florida and won't clear the game until 2026, giving him time to learn the script under new offensive coordinator Nick Caley.
It's a year for Mixon to perform, but Mark may have a bigger role than most third-day draft picks. He is a threat when asked to win in a third-decline apartment. This could make him the new second place, especially after the game between Pierce, Taylor and Ogunpole, who all became free agents.
FB1: Jacob Johnson
Johnson has special team experience and has a previous relationship with Caley. He has a chance to be the last 53-man lineup.
With Dell missing most of the season, Houston added two weapons to win both the slot and the outside. Given that Higgins and Noel play together at Ames, the transition to working together among professionals should be easy to come.
Jordan and Stover have a chance to eliminate Schultz after a season, but all three should be in an active squad. Lachey may take over the red zone lockdown option, but he needs a great training camp to make sure he has a spot in 53.
Robinson may be the best left tackle to enter the draft, but Houston chose him as a long-term starter after 2025. At this point, the bigger question is whether former second-round draft pick Blake Fisher is ready to transition to a full-time starter, allowing Howard to move inside forever.
Houston will have 9 different options, including three backups that can be started for most teams, including three different options. Hamilton should compete with Hinish and Togiai as rear-wheel gems as second team representatives for the camp.
Defenders have been a need for the draft since Harris entered contract season, but the Texans increased their EJ speed in early April. He will compete with To'oto'o and Harris for the Demeco Ryans' defensive subpack representatives. Everything else should remain the same.
Smith is expected to see action in Nickel and Special Teams. Interestingly, Houston rose to the former Trojan on Day 2 to start the reps, which was paying Pitre a new three-year contract less than two weeks before the draft. None of these three starters will go anywhere.
S1: CJ Gardner-Johnson
S2: Calen Bullock
Dimes: Jimmie Ward
S4: Jaylen Reed*
Yingshi: MJ Stewart
Depth: Ras yeast
The talented Department of Defense backend on Gardner-Johnson could be a playoff game changer. Once Pittel goes out with a chest injury, he is the kind of missing player. The Texan may also be putting his replacement on the fifth round at Penn State's Reed. If you watch his tape it's like seeing an uncertain CJGJ option.
For 15 years, someone other than Jon Weeks will grab football. It is still the end of an era.