Fantasy Football and Your Houston Texans

If you're anything like us, you're probably waist deep into fantasy football magazines, watching ESPN's "Sportscenter" five times a day to catch the latest NFL training camp updates, and surfing the Internet until the wee hours of the morning to find out how that starting running back's knee is holding up to the rigors of two-a-days.

No, it's just us?

Either way, the dawn of a new NFL season brings with it another year of fantasy football. And what better way to begin the analysis then to take a peak over at our very own Houston Texans? General manager Rick Smith and head coach Gary Kubiak cleaned house over the offseason, bringing in talent both young and aged to several key positions. How will that talent mesh on the field? That remains to be seen. But for fantasy football fans, time is the enemy and drafts are just around the corner. So let's review potential candidates for your fantasy teams hailing from our hometown heroes.

QB Matt Schaub - In 2006 Schaub threw for a whopping 208 yards, one touchdown, and had a 71.2 passer rating. Yet this was the same quarterback that the Texans signed to a six-year, $48 million contract after trading away key future draft picks. What gives? Schaub has started only two games in three seasons, both resulting in losses. Nevertheless the former Virginia standout is highly touted throughout the NFL for his mechanics, leadership skills, and innate ability to operate the West Coast-style offense that Kubiak prefers to run. Despite his strong suits, Schaub will be starting behind an offensive line that left former starter David Carr a shell of a man. Can Schaub succeed in Houston? Perhaps. Would you bet your fantasy football team's hopes on it? Probably not. Nearly every other starting quarterback in the NFL is a safer bet to man the reigns of your team at this point in time. However, to take a flyer on him in the last round of your draft couldn't hurt.

RB Ahman Green - On paper Green is a perfect fit for the Texans. Houston's need for a pass-catcher out of the backfield fits hand-in-hand with Green's talent. Last year Green rushed for 1,059 yards and scored 5 touchdowns for Green Bay, while missing two games. However, the former Packer is now 30-years old - a time that most running backs begin to see their careers come to a frighteningly fast close. Couple that with the fact that Green will be starting behind a notoriously foul offensive line, and the former Cornhusker doesn't appear to be starting running back material for your fantasy team. However, because starting running backs are a hot commodity in fantasy football - Green should go anywhere from rounds 3-5 of your draft.

WR Andre Johnson - Johnson has all the makings of a superstar wideout in the mold of Terrell Owens (sans the drama). Unfortunately this former Hurricane has been stalled out in an offense without other talented weapons, thereby allowing defenses to double team and key in on him. Coupled with the fact that former QB David Carr was never adroit at looking down the field, Johnson has never been able to achieve his true potential. Will the introduction of Schaub and Green alter Johnson's future? Until we see results from Houston's offense as a whole, Johnson cannot be considered an elite wide receiver for fantasy football purposes, falling to a second tier wideout along the lines of Plaxico Burress, Laveranues Coles, and Darrell Jackson. Look for Johnson to be available and a solid option in rounds 5-7.

TE Owen Daniels - Daniels is the only other talented receiver on the Texans roster. At the age of 24 Daniels appeared out of nowhere in his second season with the Texans - catching 34 passes for 352 yards and 5 touchdowns. Should defenses continue to gear their game plans around stopping Johnson, look for Daniels to become a gem within the offense - especially in red zone opportunities. We all know what that means! For leagues that require a starting tight end - Daniels falls in the second class of players behind guys like Gonzalez, Shockey, and Gates. Look for Daniels to be taken when the usual run on tight ends occurs in middle to late rounds of a draft - right when Dallas Clark, L.J. Smith, and Heath Miller get scooped up.

DEF Texans - Let's not even go there.

Photo: flickr user mrp1001