| The Houston Texans represent a virgin regarding | | | | are viable fantasy options heading into 2009. |
| the NFL Playoffs since their inception into the | | | | Johnson is without question one of the top 5 |
| league in 2002. Head Coach Gary Kubiak and | | | | WR's in the NFL today but he is towards the |
| Texans fans have reason to believe that will | | | | bottom of that list for me on account of a couple |
| change in 2008 and quite frankly I am on the | | | | variables. I have had Johnson a couple times |
| bandwagon as well. The team has developing skill | | | | throughout the years and both instances he has |
| positions and a defense that has been built around | | | | let me down be getting hurt and missing a lot of |
| DE Mario Williams (remember when everybody | | | | time and as a result I have avoided Johnson |
| ridiculed the Texans for taking Williams over | | | | recently on draft day. Furthermore, Johnson piles |
| Reggie Bush?) and now features first round draft | | | | up massive amounts of catches and yardage but |
| pick LB Brian Cushing out of USC. Basically, the | | | | never seems to score that much as evidenced |
| Texans are trying to build a foundation whose | | | | by his career high 8 TD's in 2008. I like Johnson |
| main purpose is to stop Peyton Manning and the | | | | but not nearly as much as I like Fitzgerald, Randy |
| Indianapolis Colts and I believe they are getting | | | | Moss, and Calvin Johnson all of whom have |
| closer towards that objective. Furthermore, the | | | | proved to be TD machines during their careers. |
| Texans have multiple players who possess | | | | Obviously however, you can't go wrong with A. |
| significant fantasy value including Matt Schaub, | | | | Johnson as a number one fantasy WR as long as |
| Andre Johnson, Steve Slaton, Kevin Walter, and | | | | he stays healthy. Walter represents a WR that |
| Owen Daniels. Let's analyze the fantasy prospects | | | | everyone seems to be afraid of and yours truly |
| for the Texans heading into 2009. | | | | was a prime example of this last year. I drafted |
| I have never really been sold on Schaub since his | | | | Walter late in last years draft and I watched him |
| departure from Atlanta but I am slowly moving | | | | score TD's from my bench week after week |
| closer in that direction. Schaub is still not in my top | | | | while suffering through the inadequacies of Jericho |
| 10 QB prospects but depending your particular | | | | Cotchery from the Jets. For some reason last |
| draft strategy may represent someone that you | | | | year I just couldn't pull the trigger playing Walter |
| hone in on come draft day. Schaub obviously has | | | | more often even though he far outshined |
| some nice weapons to work with and that | | | | Cotchery in terms of numbers. The few |
| improves his draft stock significantly. Johnson, in | | | | occasions I did play Walter last year he did |
| my opinion is the 4th best receiver in the NFL | | | | nothing but whenever he was on my bench |
| behind Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald, and Calvin | | | | (which was often) he produced in a big way. Don't |
| Johnson and always posts amazing reception | | | | kid yourself as Walter is entrenched as the |
| numbers. Johnson clearly is Schaub's go to guy | | | | number 2 WR on a potent offense with a good |
| and there is nothing to say anything will change | | | | QB. Moreover, having Johnson on the other side |
| this year. Schaub has a cannon arm, and is getting | | | | helps Walter out immensely as he constantly |
| much more adept at reading defenses and | | | | faces single coverage. Consider Walter as and |
| adjusting accordingly. | | | | excellent number 3 WR or Flex option in drafts |
| Furthermore, teams must respect Slaton with | | | | this summer and if you get him late he is an |
| more defenders in the box thus allowing for more | | | | absolute steal. At this time no other Texans WR |
| open lanes for Schaub to look down field. In | | | | warrants a draft selection this August. |
| summary, Schaub can be a low end number 1 | | | | Daniels is another overlooked option for most |
| fantasy QB for owners who utilize the drafting | | | | fantasy owners despite putting up good stats |
| strategy of stockpiling RB's and WR's in the early | | | | year after year and despite making his first Pro |
| rounds while waiting to get a QB in the later | | | | Bowl in 2008. Daniels caught 70 balls for 862 |
| rounds. I am not a proponent of this strategy and | | | | yards but only had 2 TD's to show for all of his |
| do not think it is conducive to winning but as I | | | | production. There lies owners concern with Daniels. |
| have mentioned in other articles there are still | | | | He just doesn't score that much so a lot of his |
| plenty of ignorant fantasy owners who refuse to | | | | catches and yardage totals go for naught. |
| try anything different on draft day. As they say | | | | However, Daniels remains one of Schaub's main |
| the definition of insanity is trying the same thing | | | | targets and you have to think that the TD's will |
| over and over again expecting a different result. | | | | increase and if they do Daniels will be a fantasy |
| All in all though if you miss on one of the elite | | | | stud. In the very least Daniels is a very nice |
| options at QB then Schaub is more than | | | | fantasy option if you miss on one of the elite TE's |
| serviceable. | | | | such as Dallas Clark, Jason Witten, or Antonio |
| Slaton was a nice surprise for owners in 2009 | | | | Gates so keep him in mind on draft day. |
| similarly to Matt Forte and Chris Johnson bursting | | | | Remember when everyone was ridiculing the |
| onto the scene with 1282 yards and 9 TD's and | | | | Texans for taking Williams over Bush? Well, who |
| he also chipped in with 50 receptions for 377 | | | | is laughing now? I believe that would be Charlie |
| yards and 1 TD. I had the latter 2 ball carriers and | | | | Casserly and his former team the Texans |
| they assisted me to a championship and Slaton | | | | because Williams is a Pro Bowler and Bush is |
| followed suit by also helping countless owners to | | | | rapidly approaching the term bust. The Texans |
| their leagues title. Needless to say I don't think | | | | have been improving their defense year after |
| that Slaton will be there in the 10th-14th rounds | | | | year in an effort to stop Manning and the Colts |
| which are probably where he was drafted in 2008. | | | | and I believe that they are getting closer. They |
| Where should Slaton be drafted in 2009? I don't | | | | continued that trend this year by drafting USC LB |
| know if I am completely sold on Slaton yet but | | | | Brian Cushing with their number 1 selection in this |
| that is not saying much because I am not really | | | | year's draft. Cushing and Williams along with |
| sold on any of the top tier RB's with the | | | | DeMeco Ryans fortify a defense that is quickly |
| exception of Adrian Peterson and MJD. Bottom | | | | becoming a unit to monitor especially if you are |
| line is that Slaton will be picked somewhere in the | | | | combing the waiver wire looking for a stop gap |
| late 1st round/early 2nd round and that will be | | | | DST solution. |
| good value for him. Personally if I am picking in | | | | In summary, the Texans are a rapidly improving |
| the 8-12 range where Slaton would be a viable | | | | team on both sides of the ball and have no |
| option I will most likely end up taking Larry | | | | shortage of players who could greatly assist your |
| Fitzgerald or Calvin Johnson. | | | | fantasy team in some capacity come this fall. |
| Regarding the Texans receiving corps the focus | | | | Next up: The Tennessee Titans. |
| lies with Johnson, Walter, and Daniels all of whom | | | | |