See Where The Texans Rank In ESPN’s Way Too Early Power Rankings

The season is over and it’s all a fog. That time between picking up the pieces and sifting through the piles of cremains, and preparing for future arm chair scouting, and I wish I was a general manager mangering. Everything right now is about getting in place. Putting the pieces together. Setting down the foundation. And gathering information for how teams will look to improve this offseason or continue their rebuild.

Part of the foundation are ESPN’s way too early Power Rankings. A chance to see where everything stands before the offseason begins. They have Houston ninth. This is what they said:

2018 record: 11-5

Reason for optimism: The Deshaun Watson-DeAndre Hopkins connection. Hopkins posted career highs in receptions (115) and yards (1,572) in his first full season with Watson as his quarterback. Together, they form one of the NFL’s top QB-WR tandems. Watson’s ability to extend plays and Hopkins’ ability to make contested catches are a perfect match. No matter what the down and distance are, the Texans have a legitimate chance to get the first down thanks to their dynamic playmakers. -- Turron Davenport

In between Seattle and Baltimore is Houston. I’m fine with this. This is a good spot for where they stand now. Yet, it will be interesting to see how far they can climb if they can add another interior pass rusher, Will Fuller V insurance, overhaul the secondary, and add offensive line competition. Free agency begins in a month and a half. The draft will be a month and a half after that. Until then we play make believe, and see where the ninth best team in football can improve.