There aren’t a lot of questions with Houston’s roster. The Texans still need to figure out the pecking order at wide receiver, and the field goal kicking battle figures to rage on.
The only draft pick who looks to be in danger of not making the roster is offensive tackle Nick Mondek. Meanwhile, undrafted rookies like running back Jonathan Grimes will keep trying to make a positive impression.
Each week during preseason, RapidReports will take a position-by-position look at the players who are likely to make the final cut to 53 on Sept. 2 and those who may soon be seeking alternative employment.
QB -- In: (3) Matt Schaub, T.J. Yates, John Beck. Out: Case Keenum.
Analysis: The real battle here is between the veteran Beck and rookie Case Keenum. Coach Gary Kubiak has had some nice things to say about Keenum, but Beck was the third quarterback in the game during the first preseason game at Carolina. Ultimately, Beck’s experience will probably give him the nod over Keenum.
RB -- In: (3) Arian Foster, Ben Tate, Justin Forsett. Out: Jonathan Grimes, Davin Meggett.
Analysis: Foster and Tate are locks. Forsett is a free agent signing that has worked out well. Kubiak has praised Forsett’s approach and professionalism, and he can return kicks. Grimes and Meggett are rookies who have also impressed. Grimes, especially, has earned praise from Kubiak.
FB -- In: (2) James Casey, Moran Norris. Out: Derrell Smith.
Analysis: Casey is listed as a fullback, but he is not a typical fullback. Casey is much more versatile. That is why the Texans will keep Norris, who is a traditional fullback.
WR -- In: (6) Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Lestar Jean, Keshawn Martin, DeVier Posey, Bryant Johnson. Out: Trindon Holliday, Juaquin Iglesias, Jerrell Jackson, Mario Louis, Jeff Maehl.
Analysis: Holliday might be the most intriguing player on the Texans roster right now. He returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the first preseason game against the Panthers. Still, he has not contributed at wide receiver the way coaches would like. Could Holliday make the 53-man roster just based on returning kicks? That remains to be seen. Bryant Johnson is also a question mark, but he has what Martin, Posey, and Jean don’t, a regular season NFL reception.
TE -- In: (2) Owen Daniels, Graham Garrett. Out: Logan Brock, Phillip Supernaw.
Analysis: Daniels is a no-brainer, and Kubiak has singled out Garrett for how much he has improved. “If he continues to step the way he has in his first few weeks, it’s going to be a really nice year for him,” Kubiak said of Garrett on Sunday. “I’ve been very impressed with his play.”
OL -- In: (9) Duane Brown, Wade Smith, Chris Myers, Antoine Caldwell, Rashad Butler, Brandon Brooks, Derek Newton, Ben Jones, Thomas Austin. Out: Nick Mondek, Nate Menkin, Andrew Gardner, Shelley Smith, Kasey Studdard, Cody White, Cody Wallace.
Analysis: Jones is a rookie center out of Georgia who Kubiak singled out for his play against Carolina. Butler and Caldwell seem to have the edge on the right side of the line. When Brown went out with a lower leg bruise in camp, Butler moved from right tackle to left tackle and Newton slid in at right tackle. Brooks is a rookie offensive guard who has shown flashes this preseason.
DL -- In: (6) J.J. Watt, Shaun Cody, Antonio Smith, Tim Jamison, Earl Mitchell, Jared Crick. Out: Mitch King, Jimmy Saddler-McQueen, Ra’Shon Harris, Hebron Fangupo, David Hunter.
Analysis: Tim Jamison stepped in and played well Saturday as Watt continues to work his way back from a dislocated elbow. This unit has been a little banged up with Watt, Cody, and Crick suffering minor injuries during training camp, but these six seem pretty set.
LB -- In: (8) Brooks Reed, Brian Cushing, Bradie James, Connor Barwin, Whitney Mercilus, Tim Dobbins, Bryan Braman, Mister Alexander. Out: Omar Gaither, Shawn Loiseau, Greg Williams, D.J. Bryant, Delano Johnson, Rennie Moore, Jesse Nading. PUP: Darryl Sharpton
Analysis: Nading could end up making the team based on his special teams abilities. Mercilus has lived up to expectations as the team’s first round pick, registering 1.5 sacks at Carolina on Saturday. Inside linebacker Darryl Sharpton is still on the PUP list as he is still recovering from quadriceps and hip injuries. If Sharpton makes his way back, he would probably take a roster spot.
DB -- In: (11) Johnathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson, Brice McCain, Sherrick McManis, Alan Ball, Brandon Harris, Danieal Manning, Glover Quin, Quintin Demps, Troy Nolan, Shiloh Keo. Out: Eddie Pleasant, Roc Carmichael, Torri Williams.
Analysis: Keo would be one of the final players to make the roster, but he gets the nod simply because he is versatile and can return kicks. The team is hoping for big things out of Harris, a second round pick out of Miami in the 2011 draft. Carmichael missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, but he could play his way onto the roster.
Special teams -- In: (3) Randy Bullock, Donnie Jones, Jon Weeks. Out: Shayne Graham, Brett Hartmann.
Analysis: Bullock is battling with Graham for the kicking duties, and that battle is far from over. Bullock, a rookie out of Texas A&M, made a 52-yard field goal in his debut at Carolina. Jones will handle the punting duties since Hartmann will have to deal with a three-game suspension.
Follow Texans blogger Sean Bielawski on Twitter, @CBSSportsNFLHOU.