HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans will open the 2023 NFL regular season against the Baltimore Ravens, led by former MVP Lamar Jackson, on Sept. 10 at M&T Bank Stadium.
The Texans are trying to change the franchise's direction as they've gone 11-38-1 in the past three seasons. According to Caesars Sportsbook, they're projected to finish last in the division.
The Texans have a lot of new faces, which includes coach DeMeco Ryans, quarterback C.J. Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick out of Ohio State, and former Alabama standout in No. 3 pick Will Anderson Jr.
The Texans also invested in their offensive line this offseason, giving hefty extensions to left tackle Laremy Tunsil and right tackle Tytus Howard. They also brought in former New York Jets right guard Shaq Mason as a key free-agent signing, and on Thursday they traded a fifth-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for tackle Josh Jones, who started 11 games last season, and a seventh-round pick.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection for the Texans:
QUARTERBACK (3): C.J. Stroud, Davis Mills, Case Keenum
Heading into Sunday's final preseason game, Ryans hasn't named a starter for the regular season even though the rookie has been the unofficial starter for all three preseason games. Mills hasn't run with the starting offense since early in camp, and Keenum is the third quarterback serving in a mentor role.
RUNNING BACK (4): Dameon Pierce, Devin Singletary, Mike Boone, Dare Ogunbowale
The Texans have showcased Pierce as their lead back throughout camp, but Singletary, a free-agent pickup, is the No. 2 back and will take some carries from Pierce. Expect both to get a lot of touches in the Texans' run-first offense.
FULLBACK (1): Andrew Beck
Beck is the only healthy fullback on the roster after Troy Hairston suffered a herniated disc and is on injured reserve. Beck is guaranteed $4 million this season and is expected to be involved as the Texans will use 21 personnel throughout the season.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Robert Woods, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, John Metchie III, Xavier Hutchinson, Noah Brown.
Throughout camp, the starting receivers appear to be Woods, Brown and Collins. Dell has shown the tantalizing traits that show why he didn't get past Day 2 in the draft. There's a chance midway through the season he becomes a starter. The remaining receivers are Metchie, who will make his NFL debut after a bout with cancer kept him sidelined for his entire rookie season, and Hutchinson -- who has sometimes run with the starting offense.
TIGHT END (3): Dalton Schultz, Mason Schreck, Teagan Quitoriano
The tight end room had injuries during camp, as Quitoriano and Brevin Jordan missed weeks of practice. Schultz and Schreck have been the leading tight ends running with the first-team offense throughout camp. Jordan's roster spot is in jeopardy since the staff hasn't seen him practice much as he dealt with a hamstring injury.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Laremy Tunsil, Shaq Mason, Kenyon Green, Michael Deiter, Juice Scruggs, Jarrett Patterson, Tytus Howard, Josh Jones, George Fant
The starters are set -- Tunsil, Green, Scruggs, Mason, and Howard. Center Scott Quessenberry suffered a torn ACL and MCL at the beginning of camp, which propelled Scruggs to the starting spot. The Texans added a swing tackle in Fant, who can play left or right tackle in case Tunsil or Howard miss time. Howard is out with a broken hand but could return in Weeks 1 or 2, so the addition of Jones also gives them options. Deiter is the backup interior offensive lineman who will enter action if Green, Mason or Scruggs goes down.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): Will Anderson Jr., Jonathan Greenard, Maliek Collins, Hassan Ridgeway, Sheldon Rankins, Roy Lopez, Jerry Hughes, Jacob Martin, Dylan Horton
The post-camp projections are almost identical to those coming into camp, except for one player. Martin replaces Chase Winovich, as Winovich has dealt with an injury that has limited his practice time. Martin is in the starting rotation and even started the Texans' second preseason game against the Dolphins.
LINEBACKER (6): Christian Harris, Cory Littleton, Blake Cashman, Christian Kirksey, Henry To'oTo'o, Denzel Perryman
The Texans' linebackers are improved from last season as they added Perryman and Littleton through free agency and drafted To'oTo'o out of Alabama. The one surprise of camp is Cashman. The former Jet has shown potential under Ryans in Year 2 in Houston, which makes sense since he played in the same scheme in 2021 in New York. Cashman may be a viable starter for the Texans.
CORNERBACK (5): Steven Nelson, Shaquill Griffin, Tavierre Thomas, Derek Stingley Jr., Desmond King II
The cornerback group has flashed promise throughout camp, led by Stingley -- the 2022 No. 3 pick -- and Nelson. Both have impressed Ryans during camps as they've had their fair share of interceptions. King and Thomas have rotated with the first team in the slot, and the coaches are comfortable with both. The unit is expected to be a staple under Ryans.
SAFETY (4): Jimmie Ward, M.J. Stewart, Jalen Pitre, Eric Murray
Coaches have raved about Ward's leadership and physicality throughout camp. Ward's presence has elevated Pitre's production, as well . That duo believes they can be one of the best safety tandems. Stewart and Murray bring value on special teams and can fill in for Ward or Pitre.
SPECIALISTS (3): Ka'imi Fairbairn (K), Cameron Johnston (P), Jon Weeks (LS)
The Texans added kicker Jake Bates during camp to compete with Fairbairn, but Bates missed an extra point in the Texans' preseason debut against the New England Patriots and was cut shortly after.