Throughout the 2022 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.
Below you will find a Week 1 roundup for the Houston Texans in our consensus 2022 NFL Power Rankings.
ESPN -- Rank: 31
Who's on the hot seat: QB Davis Mills
Placing Mills on the hot seat after one year seems unfair, but that's the life of a quarterback when you're not drafted in the first round. And while Mills had an impressive rookie year considering the turmoil he was surrounded by, with 16 touchdowns in 11 starts, he must significantly build on it. He has to prove there's no question he's the Texans' long-term answer because the organization has two first round picks in the 2023 NFL draft. If he doesn't perform up to par, the Texans will replace him.
Placing Mills on the hot seat after one year seems unfair, but that's the life of a quarterback when you're not drafted in the first round. And while Mills had an impressive rookie year considering the turmoil he was surrounded by, with 16 touchdowns in 11 starts, he must significantly build on it. He has to prove there's no question he's the Texans' long-term answer because the organization has two first round picks in the 2023 NFL draft. If he doesn't perform up to par, the Texans will replace him.
NFL.com -- Rank: 27
When will Brandin Cooks get the respect he deserves? Cooks has produced since the day he entered the league, but it took time for him to find a true home. That place is Houston, where he might be primed for his best season yet. The 28-year-old just set career highs in catches (90) and targets (134) in another under-the-radar 1,000-yard campaign -- his sixth in eight seasons across four teams. As QB Davis Mills said to ESPN, "When you have Brandin lined up out there, especially if he gets one-on-one, there's not really anybody in the league who is going to be able to match up with him." Give this man his due!
CBS Sports -- Rank: 26
They will be better than most expect. Davis Mills will be one of the surprise players in the league this year.
The Athletic -- Rank: 30
The good news: Dameon Pierce looked like a star in the preseason, and if Davis Mills can be the middle-of-the-road quarterback he looked like as a rookie, the Texans will have some interesting roster-building possibilities this offseason.
The bad news: The front office has to go through this Lovie Smith charade for at least a full year before hiring the McCown of their dreams.
Nugget to remember: Sando's executive survey panned the Texans for building their roster with special teams in mind. That played out last season when they finished 30th in offensive DVOA, 23rd in defensive DVOA and ninth in special teams DVOA. It's a weird strategy, but at least it's a point of view.
The bad news: The front office has to go through this Lovie Smith charade for at least a full year before hiring the McCown of their dreams.
Nugget to remember: Sando's executive survey panned the Texans for building their roster with special teams in mind. That played out last season when they finished 30th in offensive DVOA, 23rd in defensive DVOA and ninth in special teams DVOA. It's a weird strategy, but at least it's a point of view.
The Ringer -- Rank: 32
The Texans will play hard under new head coach Lovie Smith, but they won't be the more talented team in any game they play this season. The Texans have a young core that includes quarterback Davis Mills, fourth-round rookie starting running back Dameon Pierce, and rookie defensive backs Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre. But the bottom line is that talent matters, and the Texans don't have nearly enough of it.
Yahoo! -- Rank: 31
The Texans might be improved. Rookie running back Dameon Pierce was great in the preseason. Receiver Nico Collins and tight end Brevin Jordan could have breakouts. Not great, but better than their previous ranking.
PFT -- Rank: 32
Bad news, they've earned this spot. Good news, there's only one direction to go.
Previous updates:
- Houston Texans 2022 Power Rankings Roundup: Post-Draft
- Houston Texans 2022 Power Rankings Roundup: Post-Super Bowl 56
More Houston Texans pages:
- Houston Texans Mock Draft Roundup
- Houston Texans Snap Counts
- Houston Texans Franchise Leaders
- Houston Texans Draft History
- Houston Texans Schedule
- Houston Texans Tickets
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