How to Draft (or Not Draft) the Houston Texans Running Backs

My first draft of this article was just “AVOID THE HOUSTON RUNNING BACKS AT ALL COSTS. The end.”

While contemplating whether to put that in bold or change the text to some nice shade of red, I realized my very intelligent warning doesn’t help you much. Many people, through bad luck, absent-mindedness or sadistic desires, will be in need of a running back and have to choose between drafting a member of the Houston backfield at some point in their fantasy drafts or skipping over them.

While they’re not ideal roster grabs, the Houston running backs make a decent bye week fill for your fantasy team in a pinch and might even become a low-end starter. The only drawback is that they come as a pack.

Even though the most senior members of the backfield in Houston all have some kind of injury concern, there’s still some upside to be seen.

The Texans have brought in Alex Gibbs and his highly touted zone blocking expertise to put some fire in the running game this year and strengthen the offensive line. With his help, the running game could flourish.

Ahman Green is the big name and the supposed starter, but coming off a knee injury last season, he is likely to share a lot of carries with Chris Brown, the frequently injured former Tennessee Titan. Green is on what’s left of his last legs, and Brown has already been banged up in training camp.

Behind those two, the Texans have rookie Steve Slaton and the recently signed former Bronco Mike Bell.

Bell impressed enough in Denver’s zone-blocking system a couple of seasons ago to beat Tatum Bell for the starting job, but then again, that was Tatum Bell. With the same last name, smooth-as-leather Mike Shanahan might have just gotten them confused.

Despite being buried on the depth chart in Denver last season, Bell must have impressed his former coach at Denver, Gibbs, enough for Gibbs to bring him into Houston with a two-year contract. Like Chris Brown, Bell has had success in a zone running system, but it’s unclear where he fits in the depth chart now.

Rookie Steve Slaton has all the upside with the potential to take over Houston’s patched-together run game. Still, it might not be his year in 2008 unless the RBs are ravaged by injuries. Slaton would have to learn to pass block like a veteran–a necessity with Matt Schaub getting knocked around under center last season.

The two unknowns in the Houston backfield are Darius Walker and Chris Taylor.

Taylor got love in the offseason from the coaching staff, but had received similar praise last year before his season-ending injury. He hasn’t seen the field enough to earn a spot in the run game just yet, so don’t expect him to be a Ryan Grant this year. He is a super, SUPER sleeper–so sleeper he’s comatose.

Darius Walker filled in when needed last season but failed to blow anyone away. He bounced into the active roster from the practice squad last year only because of injuries to Chris Taylor and Ahman Green. He’ll probably bounce to the practice squad by the end of camp.

How do you play this one if you are in need of a running back late in your fantasy draft?
Treat the Houston RBs like Pokemon. You gotta catch ’em all!

The good thing about the Texans running game is that it comes cheap. If you want another backup or, heaven forbid, need a second starter but waited too long, take both Ahman Green and Chris Brown somewhere near the 11th round or later. You will likely be able to draft both RBs as back-to-back picks and, at the very least, have a decent bye week filler between the two of them.

If you miss on Brown and Green or want a sleeper pick, take Steve Slaton late and sit on him. As injury prone as Chris Brown and Ahman Green tend to be, it wouldn’t surprise me if Slaton starts a game or two late in the season. Even if you don’t look at Green for your roster, Slaton’s probably worth a flier.

It’s a murky situation and difficult to predict this far out, but the Houston running backs still have some value.

In short, AVOID THE HOUSTON RUNNING BACKS AT ALL COSTS. Maybe that is the best way to say it.

By Jacob

Jacob founded Fantasy Football Fools in 2007 as a outlet for all the fantasy football conversations he couldn't have in-person. Since then...well, it's only gotten worse.

10 comments

  1. Last I heard, they were converting Taylor to a fullback. I agree, I won’t draft any unless they really fall in drafts. Slaton is probably worth a gamble at some point in a keeper or dynasty format though.

  2. Last I heard, they were converting Taylor to a fullback. I agree, I won’t draft any unless they really fall in drafts. Slaton is probably worth a gamble at some point in a keeper or dynasty format though.

  3. @ffexchange:

    Slaton is definitely worth keeping an eye on in a keeper or dynasty league. Once Green is done in Houston, which could happen this year if he has another injury, Slaton looks like the guy to inherit the starting job. With Gibbs’ guidance, that could be a productive running game in 2009 and 2010.

  4. @ffexchange:

    Slaton is definitely worth keeping an eye on in a keeper or dynasty league. Once Green is done in Houston, which could happen this year if he has another injury, Slaton looks like the guy to inherit the starting job. With Gibbs’ guidance, that could be a productive running game in 2009 and 2010.

  5. Add Houston RB to the list of “Never Drafts” including the QBs of the Dolphins, Lions, and Chiefs. By the way, what do we gotta do to get hooked up on your blogroll? LOL

  6. Add Houston RB to the list of “Never Drafts” including the QBs of the Dolphins, Lions, and Chiefs. By the way, what do we gotta do to get hooked up on your blogroll? LOL

  7. @TJI:

    Ha. I don’t know if I would rule out all the Lions QBs just yet. Kitna could make a decent backup QB with Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson out there even if he does have fewer attempts with Martz out of Detroit.

    All you have to do is ask, TJI. Actually, updates to the blogroll are a little backed up since I’ve been participating in far too many mock drafts this month. Should have you guys new URL up there when I make the next update to it.

  8. @TJI:

    Ha. I don’t know if I would rule out all the Lions QBs just yet. Kitna could make a decent backup QB with Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson out there even if he does have fewer attempts with Martz out of Detroit.

    All you have to do is ask, TJI. Actually, updates to the blogroll are a little backed up since I’ve been participating in far too many mock drafts this month. Should have you guys new URL up there when I make the next update to it.

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