5 Expectations for the Houston Texans Without Mario Williams

The Houston Texans were one of the best teams in the league last year. 

They had an efficient offense with Andre Johnson, Arian Foster and Owen Daniels. The defense also had its share of big-name players—DeMeco Ryans, Johnathan Joseph and Brian Cushing. 

However, one name was synonymous with the Texans: Mario Williams.

He was loved by all, and he was one of the most consistently dominant players in the NFL.

The combination of solid backups and the Buffalo Bills throwing money at Williams has now led to one of the biggest signings in recent history.

While Bills fans couldn't be more ecstatic, what can Texans fans expect out of their team after losing a great player and a great guy off the field as well?

Well strap in because these are my expectations of the Texans without Mario Williams.

1. Brian Cushing, J.J. Watt and Brooks Reed Will Become Defensive Leaders

The Texans have decided to part ways with two key players and locker room guys. The first, MLB DeMeco Ryans, was shipped off to the Philadelphia Eagles for a fourth-round pick.

The other guy is the focal point of these slides—Mario Williams.

Ignoring Williams' injury, he looked like a dominant 3-4 OLB and was very productive in the new scheme.

Over the five games he played in 2011, he had five sacks. I'm no mathematician, but even I can see that that is one sack per game. With that type of production missing, who will step up to replace him?

Look no further than the trio of Brian Cushing, J.J. Watt and Brooks Reed. Cushing will be the most vocal leader of the group. He studied under Ryans, who was an all-or-nothing player that left his heart on the field.

Cushing will step up for his former teammate and will lead by example. Anyone who has watched him play knows that he is a relentless, bloodthirsty linebacker that hunts down ball-carriers like a young Ray Lewis.

Cushing's tenacity is evidenced on every snap he plays. He will be the spark plug that rookies look to when they are tired and have to dig deep.

Watt is No. 2 on the list of new leaders.

He is a physical freak that doesn't take anything for granted. Whether he is playing against a stud left tackle like the Tennessee Titans' Michael Roos, or if it is some backup that has no business being on an NFL field, Watt is a technician.

He should have been the Defensive Rookie of the Year, but Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller is definitely a fair recipient.

The last is Brooks Reed.

Though he faltered down the stretch, Reed looks like he could be an impact starter. He only tallied six sacks, but given a full offseason with starting reps, he will get better.

If Reed can improve his sack numbers this year, it will go a long way toward filling the production that Williams and Ryan accounted for when healthy.

2. The Texans Will Be Thin at OLB This Year

Depth is one of the most important things a team needs to make it deep into the playoffs.

According to the Texans' updated roster, only four OLBs remain after the Williams departure.

Last season, the New Orleans Saints, Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers all had players who I considered to be key either inactive or injured during their playoff games. Those three teams had a combined 2-3 record in the 2011-12 playoffs.

While the obvious answer to reduce the need for depth is to look to free agency or the draft, that isn't a solid bet this year. 

The Texans have a number of needs for the upcoming draft. In no particular order, I have those needs as RT, RG, WR, NT, OLB and one more DB.

If some great value falls to the Texans, they may pounce on OLB in the draft. But barring some miracle, depth will have to come from the later rounds, if at all.

The Texans were outbid for their right guard and their star OLB. With all the talented players gone, it would be a waste of money to try to go out and sign someone that isn't a starting-caliber player.

Also, a trade is out of the question because, like I said earlier, they need several pieces in the draft this year.

3. The Titans Will Go 4-2 in the Division

The Texans have a plethora of young weapons both offensively and defensively. However with that youth comes inexperience. With inexperience come growing pains.

Most of the younger players have been complementary pieces the last few years. Cushing could always lean on Ryans for veteran advice if he needed it, and the same could be said with Watt, Reed and Connor Barwin looking to Mario Williams.

If there are any teams that know how to exploit your weaknesses, it is the teams you see most often: divisional rivals.

Texans fans may not like to hear it, but the Titans were only one game away from entering the playoffs last year too. What makes that impressive is the Titans had the youngest defense in the league.

With a year of experience under their belts and an improved pass-rush group, they could be a tough opponent.

The Jags had a well-documented struggle trying to get Blaine Gabbert productive, but with a new coaching staff and the same old Maurice Jones-Drew, the offense could put up 14-17 points. And with a few points, their unheralded defense could actually threaten the Texans if it can keep pressure on Matt Schaub with defensive end Jeremy Mincey.

Finally the Indianapolis Colts.

Of course Andrew Luck is important, but if the Colts' defensive scheme switch makes them look anything at all like new head coach Chuck Pagano's former Baltimore Ravens team, this division could be noted for its collective defense.

Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are nothing to scoff at coming off the edge, and with Cory Redding and Tom Zbikowski bringing the "Raven Way" to Lucas Oil Stadium, the Colts could look very different next year.

With all that being said, it is hard for me to imagine the Texans going undefeated in the division. Still, it is also hard for me to see anyone beating them regularly.

I think they will split with the Titans and be upset by one of the other teams down the stretch.

4. Schaub's Production Will Increase While Foster Will See a Dip

I have talked about the growing pains this defense may face and the extra need that losing Williams puts on the OLB position in the draft late.

When a defense is weakened, the offense has to step up. This is how the damage from losing Williams (which may hurt the defense's points allowed and other stats) can be prevented.

I listed the Texans' draft needs earlier as RG, RT, WR, NT, OLB and an extra DB. While it may not look like it there, the Texans are most likely going to grab a wideout there, pointing to an emphasis on the passing game.

Even if they don't target a WR, the new right side of the offensive line will probably be pass-blockers more than run-blockers. All this spells fewer touches for Foster and more production from Schaub.

The RB position is fairly fragile and has a limited window of production. The QB position, however, is much more important considering the league rules about pass interference, roughing the passer, etc.

You know this stuff—QB is No. 1.

With that said, the injury to Schaub last year may have caused the Texans a shot to go farther in the playoffs.

Backup QB T.J. Yates proved himself to be capable and a possible future starter in this league. Why wouldn't you set your team up to be more pass-heavy?

Arian Foster can still be very effective, but after his 600-plus touches in two years (be patient the link takes a second to load), why put such a heavy load on the RB?

The Texans should build this team around the passer, especially if the defense will be more volatile than last.

5. Texans Won't Change a Bit in Win-Loss Record

The Texans will go 10-6.

Remember, I predicted the Texans to go 4-2 in division play. That puts them at 6-4 with the rest of their schedule.

I know that sounds bad, but remember who you play.

In the AFC East, you have the runner-up New England Patriots, New York Jets, the "Mario Williams" Bills and the Miami Dolphins. I see the Texans ending up with a 3-1 split, losing to the Pats and beating the Dolphins, Bills and Jets.

Then you have the NFC North, which is probably the hardest division in football. The Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears are on the schedule. I see that being a rough stretch, ending 1-3, with the lone win coming against the Vikings.

I'm not a fan of any of those teams, I just think the Texans are built to play low-scoring games. A high-powered offense may be the worst thing that they could face.

The Texans would sweep the extra games in this case, though I don't know who they are.

Finishing 10-6 with that record isn't so bad, though. It will most likely win the division, and if not, it will get you into the playoffs.

Once the Texans get there, the wins will be less about who has more impact players and more about who has depth and can stay healthy. With Andre Johnson a question mark, Ryans and Williams gone and a batch of young guys that need to step up, the Texans are an interesting team.

Let me know what you think about the Texans' needs in the draft, chances to win double-digit games and how well I did on figuring out what changes we will see next year on that team.

Good or bad, leave a comment down below and we can chat about your thoughts. As always, thanks for reading.