The Houston Texans open training camp July 25 at the team's facility in Houston. Here's a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Deshaun Watson, AJ McCarron, Joe Webb III
Watson is entering his third season, and head coach Bill O'Brien said he thinks his young quarterback is "light years" ahead of where he was following the spring workouts a year ago. If Webb makes the team, it's because O'Brien and his staff like his versatility. Webb played mostly on special teams last year and also saw some time at wide receiver.
RUNNING BACK (5): Lamar Miller, D'Onta Foreman, Josh Ferguson, Buddy Howell, Cullen Gillaspia (fullback)
Miller and Foreman are set as the Texans' top backs, and O'Brien said during offseason workouts that he thinks Ferguson has emerged as an option to be the team's third back. Houston might not keep five running backs, but Howell could be an important special-teams contributor.
WIDE RECEIVER (5): DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller, Keke Coutee, Johnnie Dixon, Tyron Johnson
Because of injuries, the Texans didn't have much depth at receiver behind Hopkins by the end of last season. The flexibility at the position should give two undrafted receivers a chance to beat out DeAndre Carter and Vyncint Smith. The Texans could look to add another veteran receiver before the regular season as well.
TIGHT END (3): Jordan Thomas, Jordan Akins, Kahale Warring
Houston signed Darren Fells to a one-year deal this offseason, but after drafting Warring in the third round, it's unlikely the Texans would keep four tight ends and a fullback.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Julién Davenport, Tytus Howard, Max Scharping, Senio Kelemete, Nick Martin, Zach Fulton, Seantrel Henderson, Martinas Rankin, Greg Mancz
The Texans still have a lot of questions on the offensive line. O'Brien has moved around rookie tackles Howard and Scharping during offseason workouts, and both could start at either tackle or guard. Matt Kalil signed a one-year deal in March, but he will have to show he's an upgrade over Davenport or Henderson to make the 53-man roster.
DEFENSIVE LINE (7): J.J. Watt, D.J. Reader, Brandon Dunn, Carlos Watkins, Angelo Blackson, Charles Omenihu, Joel Heath
Reader should sign an extension before the season starts that will keep him beyond 2019, which is the final year of his current contract. Defensive line coach Anthony Weaver said he was impressed by Omenihu, the Texans' fifth-round pick.
LINEBACKER (7): Jadeveon Clowney, Whitney Mercilus, Benardrick McKinney, Zach Cunningham, Dylan Cole, Brennan Scarlett, Peter Kalambayi
The Texans are still waiting to see whether Clowney, who was franchise-tagged in March, will report for training camp. Houston might need to depend on Mercilus, who is entering the final season on his contract. O'Brien will likely opt to keep an eighth linebacker -- perhaps someone the team adds during training camp -- but for now, I'm going to use the spot for a crowded secondary.
SECONDARY (11): Johnathan Joseph, Aaron Colvin, Justin Reid, Jahleel Addae, Bradley Roby, Tashaun Gipson, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Xavier Crawford, Lonnie Johnson, Johnson Bademosi, A.J. Moore
The Texans have a new-look secondary without Tyrann Mathieu and Kareem Jackson and they have quite a few options on their training camp roster, especially at cornerback. Boddy-Calhoun, Crawford and Jermaine Kelly could be competing for the final corner spot.
SPECIALIST (3): K Ka'imi Fairbairn, P Trevor Daniel, LS Jon Weeks
This should stay the same as last season. Fairbairn led the NFL with 37 field goals in 2018.