!
Sure it's not happening, but it doesn't hurt to take the temperature of what I think the line up would look like if the team played prior to the draft.
Quarterback
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Case Keenum, T.J. Yates
Without a draft choice in the house it's Fitzpatrick's job. It might even be his job anyway if they want the rookie to sit and learn. It'll be very interesting to see if Keenum has a second act. This time last year, before the rookie camp, he was buried on the depth chart. He had eight starts but failed to win. Is there any magic left? We'll see.
Running Back
Arian Foster
More backs are on the way. Yes, Dennis Johnson and Jonathan Grimes are still around and Andre Brown was signed this off season. But with Ben Tate gone and with Arian entering his sixth season (how time flies!) it's important to consider more options.
Fullback
Brad Smelley
You might be thinking "Who?" He showed up during last season with all the injuries at tight end and can do both.
Tight End
Garrett Graham, Ryan Griffin
You're in pretty good shape here, especially with Zach Potter signed this off season, but they'll look to get deeper.
Wide Receiver
Andre Johnson, DeAndre Hopkins
Along with Devier Posey and Keshawn Martin, you have a nice group here. But no one will be surprised if they pick someone or bring another veteran in.
Tackles
Duane Brown, Derrick Newton
Brennan Williams will get a long look and I'll assume a rookie is on the way but let's go with this, pre-draft.
Guards
Brandon Brooks, Ben Jones
We'll find out in a couple of weeks if David Quessenberry is a left guard in this staff's eyes. With Wade Smith gone, they'll need more to choose from in the draft or free agency.
Center
Chris Myers, Ben Jones
We don't know if the current staff thinks Jones is a center but we'll go with it for now.
Nose Tackle
Jerrell Powe
Look for this position to get early attention in the draft. Veteran depth could be on the way as well.
Defensive End
JJ Watt, Ricardo Mathews
Mathews is versatile, as you could have put him at nose. And I easily could have placed Jared Crick in here but this is another area that needs a look in the player harvest.
Inside Linebacker
Brian Cushing, Jeff Tarpinian
Mike Mohamed is still around and ILB is one of my top three draft position needs (along with quarterback and defensive end).
Outside Linebacker
Brooks Reed, Whitney Mercilus
This is pretty easy right now. If they draft Jadeveon Clowney or Khalil Mack, things change fast
Safety
DJ Swearinger. Kendrick Lewis
Chris Clemmons can help as well. And Shilo Keo and Eddie Pleasant are still in the building. But they can get better here.
Cornerback
Johnathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson
The bigger question is if Brandon Harris or A.J. Bouye can win the nickel job.
Specialists
Shane Lechler, Jon Weeks, Randy Bullock
Because these coaches didn't draft Bullock, it'll be interesting to see what they think of him.
