Houston seems to have adopted the idea that this year is "playoffs or bust." That won't be a goal easily attained. The Texans will have to beat the Colts and Jaguars in their division, and to do that they will need their below-average defense to improve quite a bit.
An improved running game could also help them reach that goal. Reuniting head coach Gary Kubiak with offensive line guru Alex Gibbs was a great first step. The additions of running backs Chris Brown and rookie Steve Slaton will also help, and could be what ultimately makes their running attack worth mentioning.
Let's look at what other changes they made and how it will affect their fantasy value.
QUARTERBACK
Matt Schaub/Sage Rosenfels
Houston has invested in Schaub and he will be the clear-cut starter this year, but that doesn't mean that he won't be kept on a short leash. Rosenfels filled in for an injured Schaub well last year by throwing for 15 touchdowns and producing very similarly to how Schaub did before he was injured. All that means for this year is that coach Kubiak should feel safe with his quarterback situation and Schaub shouldn't get too comfortable.
Schaub was on pace to have a great year before an injury to his non-throwing shoulder sidelined him. Other than that, he has shown little proof that he can be a top-20 quarterback.
The coaching staff has faith in the inexperienced signal-caller, and some of that trust may come from his great chemistry with top receiver Andre Johnson and his ability to avoid sacks. He's an interesting option, but nothing more than a No. 2 fantasy quarterback at this point.
Rosenfels, on the other hand, has proven to be a professional, better-than-average backup with a killer deep ball. He will be ready to go if Schaub goes down or struggles significantly. He's a solid quarterback, but even if he takes over the starter's role he won't be a solid fantasy option.
RUNNING BACK
Chris Brown/Ahman Green/Steve Slaton
The top-two running backs in Houston can be described in two words: injury prone. Brown and Green just can't seem to stay healthy, and, as a result, will be used in a running back by committee-type of system with fellow backs Steve Slaton and Darius Walker.
Brown is my pick to be the opening-day starter, as he has the most experience outside of Green and fits Houston's zone-blocking, one-cut running scheme. Brown is a power runner who runs inside well and will have his hot streaks, but will more than likely end up with a cast or two on the sidelines by the end of the year.
He makes for an interesting option late in the draft because, if he stays healthy, he can be effective, but that's a big if. He is a No. 5 fantasy back, mostly because of injury concerns.
Green looks to be at the end of his career and Houston will be trying to get one last go out of the banged up veteran. He is coming off of a knee injury last season and most likely won't even be as fast as he was last year. He hold little fantasy value and may end up losing his primary backup job to Slaton.
Slaton is the best back on the team that hasn't been voted "most likely to be on injured reserve." Injuries could put him into the starter's role later in the season. He fits the running scheme at least as well as Brown does and has excellent cutback ability.
On the other hand, he isn't known for breaking tackles and may need to bulk up to fit the starter's role. He could be a good waiver-wire pickup late in the season, but not much else.
WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END
Andre Johnson/Kevin Walter/Owen Daniels
Johnson is a legitimate No. 1 fantasy wide receiver if he can stay healthy. A knee injury cut his season short last year, but in the games he did play, he flashed the ability to fit in with the NFL's elite receivers. I imagine the chemistry he developed with Schaub hasn't gone away, which means his production over an entire season could be scary. His injury history is what holds him back from being a household name.
Walter will be catching the passes Schaub doesn't throw to Johnson or Daniels. Too bad for him there won't be too many of those. In contrast to Johnson, he isn't an injury risk, which helps his value to the team.
The 6'3" receiver is the starter opposite of Johnson now, but he will have to compete with Andre' Davis and Jacoby Jones to keep the spot. He probably shouldn't be drafted, but if Johnson goes down he could be a nice pickup.
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