The Houston Texans have very few questions surrounding the roster entering 2024.
The defensive tackle position might be the most significant unknown after three training camp practices.
Both starters from the AFC South championship roster are gone. Sheldon Rankins was in talks of a new deal but chose to sign a long-term contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. Maleik Collins was traded to the 49ers for a late-round pick.
While the Texans were able to swing big with the additions of Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter and veteran Denico Autry, they elected to bargain buy with tackles Foley Fatukasi, Mario Edwards and Tim Settle Jr.
Collins and Rankins combined for over 1,300 reps, 11 sacks and 17 tackles for loss last season. The new trio, plus Khalil Davis, Kurt Hinish and rookie Marcus Harris, now must make up for the lost production.
Who takes over for last year’s starters? Right now, defensive coordinator Matt Burke considers it too early to tell.
“We feel pretty good about our depth there,” the second-year coordinator said Saturday following practice. “A lot of guys with some different skill sets, and we’re just going to — we are literally rolling through on that basis and seeing how that kind of shakes out. We feel like we added a lot of depth in that room, in that position specifically.”
Settle and Edwards have multiple years of experience and have started in a pinch. Hinish and Davis rotated in last season as the primary backups to Collins and Rankins.
The defensive tackle position has been a glaring weak spot for the team in terms of longevity since 2020. General manager Nick Caserio had options early in the draft but elected to draft Georgia standout Kamari Lassiter with the No. 42 overall pick and Notre Dame lineman Blake Fisher with pick No. 57.
But the Texans have found success with one-year rentals and under-the-radar options each offseason. Burke can see that even if there isn’t a standout on paper, that doesn’t mean one won’t emerge in the coming days and throughout the season.
“It’s going to be a pretty good competition to see how that plays out,” Burke said. “There’s nothing set in stone at any position right now, but that’s a very fluid position for us, for sure.”
