Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.
Here is where the Houston Texans rank in terms of average, best and worst:
- Average ranking: 32.0 (32nd)
- Best ranking: 32nd (Multiple)
- Worst ranking: 32nd (Multiple)
Below you will find a Week 1 roundup for the Texans in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.
ESPN -- Rank: 32
Person on the hot seat: RB David Johnson
Johnson's spot on the Texans' roster is safe for this season, but his future in the NFL likely hinges on having a productive year. The Texans clearly want Johnson on the team in 2021, as they doubled his guaranteed money when they restructured his contract this offseason, but going into the season, they don't expect him to play nearly as much as he did in 2020. Johnson, who is making $4.7 million in 2021, is a free agent after this season. -- Sarah Barshop
Johnson's spot on the Texans' roster is safe for this season, but his future in the NFL likely hinges on having a productive year. The Texans clearly want Johnson on the team in 2021, as they doubled his guaranteed money when they restructured his contract this offseason, but going into the season, they don't expect him to play nearly as much as he did in 2020. Johnson, who is making $4.7 million in 2021, is a free agent after this season. -- Sarah Barshop
NFL.com -- Rank: 32
The Deshaun Watson situation will continue to hang over the Texans, perhaps for the entirety of the season. It will be David Culley's job to shut out this booming outside noise and try to field a competitive team in 2021. Most peg the Texans as the heavy favorite to land the No. 1 overall pick in next year's draft, but let me leave you with a dollop of optimism via an anonymous quote from one NFL coach (per The Athletic): "I think people are going to play (the Texans) and think they are sh****, and they'll surprise some people." Slap that on a billboard!
CBS Sports -- Rank: 32
They might not be as bad as some think because of all the veterans on the roster. They will be a feisty team, even if they don't win a lot of games. The problem is they just don't have a ton of top-level talent. The Deshaun Watson situation also hangs over this team.
USA Today -- Rank: 32
If newly announced starting QB Tyrod Taylor's recent luck is any indication, then rookie Davis Mills will be playing by Week 3, when Houston is scheduled to make its only prime-time appearance of the season on a Thursday.
The Athletic -- Rank: 32
Why they're ranked here: There was little disagreement among our panelists, as the Texans received 22 of 25 last-place votes. There's just not much to be confident about when you look at their roster (with 21 players on one-year contracts and a noticeable void in defensive star power) and consider all of the drama thanks to the ongoing legal situation with quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson made the 53-man roster but is unlikely to play.
One big question: Who will be the Texans' quarterback in 2022? Is it too soon to think about it? Yes, probably. But the months of speculation ahead should help Texans fans get through a potentially rough season.
One big question: Who will be the Texans' quarterback in 2022? Is it too soon to think about it? Yes, probably. But the months of speculation ahead should help Texans fans get through a potentially rough season.
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- 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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