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On the heels of a 4-12 season and the loss of franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson, presumably for the entire year, the Houston Texans have low hopes for the 2021 season. In fact, as the Texans trade off players like Bradley Roby and don't plan to play Watson, it seems as though a year with a terrible record would be a success. Still, just as all professional athletes do, their team will play to win football games all year.
Only a few of the team's best players remain from the Texans team that made the Divisional round in 2019 and almost upset the eventual Super Bowl-winning Chiefs. So, for a team that is sparse on talent on both sides of the ball, a successful season for Houston would involve getting a high draft pick next year and finding that some of their younger players will be good pieces to build around in the upcoming rebuild.
In recent years, Houston has lost a striking amount of elite talent. Along with Watson's exit looming sometime in the near future, they've lost consensus top-5 receiver Deandre Hopkins, former DPOY J.J. Watt, athletic freak Jadeveon Clowney, and valuable contributors Duane Brown and Will Fuller V.
With only star lineman Laremy Tunsil, first-round lineman Tytus Howard, newly drafted wide receiver Nico Collins, and 2nd round rookie Davis Mills to build around, who could be a potential X factor for this team in 2021? Because of the lack of hope for contention, the most important ability for Houston in 2021 will be mentorship from veterans. For that reason, Houston's biggest X factors will be Tunsil, Brandin Cooks, and Desmond King II.
Let's start with Tunsil. Despite being a Pro Bowler in each of the last two seasons, Texans management most likely regrets accepting the deal last year to acquire Tunsil, Kenny Stills, a 2020 fourth-round pick, and a 2021 sixth-round pick to the Dolphins in exchange for a 2020 first-round pick, 2021 first- and second-round picks, cornerback Johnson Bademosi, and offensive lineman Julién Davenport. Without three early round picks that would have been great to start the rebuild, they're a year behind schedule.
Tunsil can still provide value, however, as he's an amazing left tackle, the most important spot on the line, who will be a valuable mentor, especially for Tytus Howard, their first pick in the 2019 draft. If Houston finds a quality quarterback to build around in the coming years, it will be a great start for them already to play behind two stud linemen.
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As for Cooks and King, a similar philosophy applies. Each of the two are great, veteran players who can still play at a high level, but whose value this year will primarily come from how much they'll be able to teach the youngsters behind them.
Cooks has never been a Pro Bowler, which is surprising given that he's eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving in 5 of his 7 seasons in the league. He obviously has a lot to offer, which will be especially important for Nico Collins, a 6'4″ receiver with 4.43 speed. With such a rare combo of size and speed, Collins is still a very raw prospect, and Cooks will have an integral role in mentoring him to be the next great wideout in Houston.
King will play Cooks' role as well, as he has made an All-Pro team, and will be the leader of an actually decently talented secondary for Houston. Justin Reid and Terrence Murray will be able to soak in loads of knowledge from King, who now enters his first year in Houston.
It might be a long year for Texans fans, but at least they can rest easy knowing that they'll have a high draft pick next season and a group of solid veterans to coach up their existing young talent.
