Tomorrow, the Houston Texans take on the Detroit Lions in their third and final preseason game ahead of the 2025 season. Through two games, the Texans have had plenty to be happy with from their offensive line and backups considering most other starters have sat. Along with getting healthy, the Texans have emphasized getting their rookies up to speed along with finding solutions at several key depth positions. Allthewhile, several players have stood out from the 90 players on the roster and that led me to ask this week\u2019s Battle Red Blog Groupthink:<\/p>\n
Okay, I\u2019ve been ragging on the guy, but with the Metchie trade, I think Xavier Hutchinson is getting that spot. He seems to have done more in camp than the other marginal roster guys. I have no idea what happens with the sixth wide receiver spot, but I think he\u2019s one of the six guys.<\/p>\n
This is a tough call, especially as much of the roster was likely set before camp started. I don\u2019t know if he was just brought in to be a camp arm, but Kedon Slovis appears set to take that QB3 slot. Mertz may not be fully healed from his torn ACL, and given that he\u2019s been the last QB on the field the past two games seems to indicate where he stands in the food chain. Slovis, well, you would never build a franchise around him, but if it is between him and Mertz, Slovis would be a more effective QB3 right now.<\/p>\n
Y\u2019know, this was kind of difficult\u2026there were enough solid performances from fringe players, that I have no idea what direction the front office will go with their cuts.<\/p>\n
On offense, if there was any possibility that C\/G Jake Andrews or C\/G Juice Scruggs would be cut, there certainly isn\u2019t one now. Both excelled in limited preseason action, so at least one of these linemen will be a starter. If there somehow ends up being room for more at this position group, I wouldn\u2019t mind keeping either G Jaylon Thomas or T Zach Thomas as another warm body. There\u2019s no way they\u2019ll keep the same starting five all season long, so another center or tackle may come in handy in a pinch. Houston\u2019s brass may be more motivated to keep Ts LaDarius Henderson and Austin Deculus because of their experience in the building, but I\u2019d prefer another interior lineman.<\/p>\n
Besides the line, I think QB Kedon Slovis balled out enough in both stints to warrant a roster spot if Houston decides to go with three quarterbacks. If not, I\u2019d hope he\u2019d be able to stick to the practice squad as Houston\u2019s embryo-stage Davis Mills replacement.<\/p>\n
Likewise, I\u2019m not ready to give up on WR Xavier Hutchison as a solid backup to Nico Collins, either. On defense, I\u2019ve been impressed by LB Jamal Hill, LB K.C Ossai, and DL Tommy Togiai. Hill went from a raw athlete with little linebacker experience in 2024 to a natural at the position this year, while Ossai has looked solid in his limited action. Togiai wasn\u2019t great against Minnesota but was an impact player against the Panthers, so I would be happy to keep him on the roster if the space is available.<\/p>\n
I think they practice squad both the third and fourth quarterback or one will have a wink wink season ending injury so they can keep both around.<\/p>\n
To answer my own question, I think Braxton Berrios has moved furthest up the roster since the start of training camp. He was the presumed WR8 on the roster and now feels more like WR4. The Texans utilized him in short-area passing plays and on the sidelines. He\u2019ll also be the team\u2019s primary punt returner<\/p>\n
Another name is E.J. Speed. Speed entered a crowded linebacker room and has stood out. He\u2019s been the most dynamic player on defense thus far and fully surpassed stalwart Jake Hansen\u2026 not to mention Jamal Hill and Nick Neimann.<\/p>\n