Houston Texans Fantasy Football: Best And Worst Fantasy Picks For Week Two

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Here are a few thoughts on the Texans players for their Week Two matchup with the Raiders.

QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick did what he needed to do for the Texans in Week One--he managed the game. He didn't turn the ball over and threw for 206 yards on 14 passes (22 attempts). The only problem with game management is it rarely translates into the box score stats-wise.  Fitzpatrick won't be a option to start at quarterback for much of the season even in a two quarterback league. The Texans are focused on running ball, and Fitzpatrick showed an inability to complete passes with pressure in his face.

RB: Arian Foster was a workhorse in his return to the starting lineup after an injury shortened season in 2013. Foster showed a familiar burst and vision against Washington, as he ran for 103 yards on 27 carries. Until further notice, Foster is a start every week. Especially when facing a defense that just gave up 170 yards on the ground to Chris Ivory (10.2 AVG) and Chris Johnson (5.2 AVG) like the Raiders. To add another dimension, Foster didn't come off the field when the Texans went five-wide, and he was used in the screen game as well. Bill O'Brien wants to get Foster the ball anyway he can, which is good news for fantasy owners.

Alfred Blue and Jonathan Grimes both looked like a nice play before the season started, presumably playing the Ben Tate role. One injury and you have starting running back in a run-first offense for basically nothing. But at this point, with Foster being so heavily featured, Blue and Grimes are nothing more an handcuffs on a deep bench.

WR: Andre Johnson, the most prolific player in team history, just keep rolling along. Johnson caught six passes for 93 yards in Week One and showed little, if any, rust from missing offseason activities. He is dealing with a minor ankle injury that kept him out of practice on Thursday, but Johnson will be ready to go on Sunday. The Raiders allowed five catches and 74 yards to the Jets' number one receiver Eric Decker, iso t's not stretch to believe Johnson will see similar numbers this Sunday, if not better.

DeAndre Hopkins:  It was an interesting day to say the least for the Texans' number two wide receiver in Week One. He racked up 89 yards receiving on four catches and touchdown - seventy-six of those yards coming on one play. Hopkins' line read 13 yards on three catches without his 76-yard home run. That fact shouldn't scare fantasy owners away.  Hopkins has the skills to make a defenders miss and take it to the house. Hopkins was targeted five times on Sunday and made the most of his opportunities.  His only limitation is his quarterback play.

TE: Garrett Graham, the Texans' starting tight end, has returned from back injury that kept him out in Week One. I don't expect much out of Graham as the Texans hope to ease him back into the TE rotation. Last week's starter, C.J. Fiedorowicz, is out with a foot injury.

Team Defense: I admit I was dead wrong to not recommend Houston's defense. Romeo Crennel dialed up the right pressure to fluster Robert Griffin III all game, and the secondary pursued the ball with authority. The Texans had all but a perfect fantasy day with multiple turnovers and sacks. I expect much of the same with a rookie quarterback under center and a conservative game plan in hand. The Raiders' running backs showed no life against the Jets, which will allow the Texans to set their sights on young Derek Carr. The absence of Jadeveon Clowney will take the Texans a notch down, as Whitney Mercilus is not the same type of force replacing Clowney.

Summary: Start the Texans' offensive stars (Foster, Johnson, and Hopkins). The Houston offense will rise and fall with these three. Sit Fitzpatrick, who will get the ball into his playmakers' hands; the game plan just isn't focused on the pass. Start J.J. Watt and the boys on defense; they will feast on Derek Carr and the Raiders offense.

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