NFL Fantasy Football Matchup Cheat Sheet: Houston Texans
In NFL daily fantasy leagues, matchups are important. Pay attention to favorable matchups rather than the overall quality of individual players. It is better to select an above-average offensive player facing poor to average defense than an elite talent facing above-average to elite defense.
Each position in ranked according to one of these four ratings: Elite, Above-average, Average, and Poor.
Offense
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Case Keenum, Tom Savage: Poor
RB Arian Foster: Above-average
WR1 Andre Johnson: Above-average
WR2 DeAndre Hopkins: Average
Slot WR Keshawn Martin: Average
TE Garrett Graham: Average
O-line: LT Duane Brown, LG Xavier Su’a Filo, C Chris Myers, RG Brandon Brooks, RT Derek Newton: Above-average
If Foster can stay healthy his skill level coupled with a great line blocking for him make him a top RB option for 2014. Andre Johnson is another supremely talented player for Houston, but poor quarterback play from a trio of should-be backups will dampen his production. Unless Hopkins can turn things around in his sophomore season, the Texans also lack a receiving threat opposite Johnson. Defenses will be able to double up on Johnson without consequences, further reducing his production.
Defense
CB1 Johnathon Joseph: Average
CB2 Kareem Jackson: Average
Nickel CB Brandon Harris: Poor
Safeties: SS D.J. Swearinger, FS Chris Clemons: Average
Linebackers: OLB Jadeveon Clowney, ILB Brooks Reed, ILB Brian Cushing, OLB Whitney Mercilus: Above-average
D-line: DE J.J. Watt, NT Louis Nix, DE Jared Crick: Above-average
The Texans have some elite pieces in their defense with Watt, Clowney, and Cushing, but the rest of their front 7 is full of holes. The secondary is less up-and-down and more consistently average, with no true strengths and one glaring weakness in Harris that makes Houston a favorable matchup for opposing slot receivers.
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