2024 Houston Texans 53-man roster projection - ESPN

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans open the 2024 NFL regular season at the Indianapolis Colts on Sept.8 at Lucas Oil Stadium, and their roster has Pro Bowlers in five different position groups with a couple of former All-Pro players, as well.

Heading into Year 2 under coach DeMeco Ryans, the Texans are viewed as contenders in a loaded AFC, and they could have one of the best offenses in the league. Training camp will give a glimpse of how everything will mesh while watching a couple of intriguing battles. There will be noteworthy veterans fighting for a roster spot, specifically at the receiver position, as well.

Here is the 53-man roster projection:

QUARTERBACKS (3): C.J Stroud, Davis Mills, Case Keenum.

This will be the same group as last season. Stroud is the entrenched starter and the Texans love the veteran leadership Keenum brings to the quarterback room that has two players under the age of 26. But if Stroud misses time again (he missed two last season with a concussion), the Texans feel comfortable with Keenum or Mills.

RUNNING BACKS (4): Joe Mixon, Dare Ogunbowale, J.J. Taylor, Dameon Pierce

Mixon is the lead back, but Ryans has raved about Pierce's offseason and envisions a «1-2 punch.» Ogunbowale brings special team value as a gunner and an emergency kicker. In 2023, when Ka'imi Fairbairn suffered an injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ogunbowale nailed a 29-yard field goal.

FULLBACK (1): Andrew Beck

Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik used a fullback on 20.7% of offensive plays, fourth highest, in 2023. Expect that number to remain as long as Beck is on the roster.

WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Xavier Hutchinson, Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell, Nico Collins, Noah Brown, John Metchie III

The cut from this group is Robert