Welcome to the next installment of "MrNFL's prediction system previews."  On these posts, we will look at an NFL team, and grade them at different positions to figure out what record each team will get.  For a full explanation on how the system works, click here.

Today we look at the Houston Texans

LAST SEASON: The Texans improved from the dismal 2005 season, finishing 6-10

Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers

QB's: Matt Schaub, Bradlee Van Pelt, Sage Rosenfels, Quinton Porter
WR's: Andre Johnson, Bethel Johnson, Jerome Mathis, Andre Davis, Jacoby Jones, Charlie Adams, David Anderson, Kevin Walter, Harry Williams

Schaub has never been a full time starter, and really is almost like putting a rookie in there.  Rosenfels isn't exactly the greatest backup plan either.  Johnson is a good possession receiver, but really isn't a huge playmaker.  They don't have any other receivers that have done anything.  Walter is the next best receiver, and he wouldn't even be a slot receiver on most teams.  Some concerns here, Andre Johnson barely gets them a 6.

QB/WR score: 6/10

Running Backs/Tight Ends

HB's: Ahman Green, Wali Lundy, Ron Dayne, Samkon Gado, Chris Taylor
FB's: Vonta Leach, Jameel Cook
TE's: Jeb Putzier, Owen Daniels, Mark Bruener, Joel Dreessen, Ben Steele

Green's not a bad pickup, but he's not a real dynamic running back.  Dayne is a decent power back, and the youngsters' Lundy and Gado are both decent.  Leach isn't a bad blocking fullback.  Bruener is a good blocking tight end, and the rookie Daniels had his moments receiving last year.  Putzier is a decent receiver.  Overall, a decent group, just barely a 7, but not any better.

RB/TE Score: 7/10

Offensive Line

T's: Jordan Black, Ephraim Salaam, Charles Spencer, Eric Winston, Brandon Fyre
G's: Fred Weary, Chester Pitts, Steve McKinney, Scott Jackson, Atlas Herrion, Kasey Studdard
C's: Mike Flanagan, Drew Hodgdon, Chris White, Bryan Pittman

Black is a solid pickup, he'll start but he won't be outstanding.  Salaam isn't a bad veteran on the other side.  Weary is decent, but isn't healthy enough.  Pitts is a solid guard.  McKinney is decent if needed to play center or guard.  Flanagan is a very good center when healthy, but rarely is.  Hodgdon isn't a great option behind home.  Overall, not an awful group, but no better than a 7.

 
OL Score: 7/10

Defensive Line

DT's: Amobi Okoye, Jeff Zgonina, Anthony Maddox, Tim Bulman, Thomas Johnson, Travis Johnson, Cedric Killings, Alfred Malone
DE's: Mario Williams, Anthony Weaver, Ndukwe Kalu, Jason Babin, Earl Cochran

Okoye was a great pick, and in time I think he becomes a great defensive tackle.  But for now, he's just a rookie.  Maddox and Zgonina are average at best #2 tackles, and they'll need Okoye to be great fast to have success.  Williams should be improved in his second year.  However, neither Weaver, nor Kalu, nor Babin are really that great on the other side.  This group is worthy to a 7 at best.

DL Score: 7/10

Linebackers

LB's: DeMeco Ryans, Morlon Greenwood, Shawn Barber, Shantee Orr, Danny Clark, Trent Bray, Charlie Anderson, Trent Bray, Zac Woodfin, Zach Diles

Ryans had a fantastic rookie year, and they'll need him to live up to last year to be successful.  Greenwood is a solid outside linebacker.  Clark has been good in the past, although was little use last year.  Barber has injury issues, but when healthy isn't bad.  Orr is very inconsistent and average at best.  They are close to an 8, but not quite there.

 
LB Score: 7/10

Defensive Backs

CB's: Dunta Robinson, Dexter McCleon, Jamar Fletcher, Dexter Wynn, DeMarcus Faggins, Von Hutchins, Roc Alexander, Fred Bennett, Jason Horton, John Walker
S's: C.C. Brown, Glenn Earl, Jason Simmons, Brandon Harrison

Robinson is a solid #1 corner, but the rest of the corners are the concern.  McCleon is a decent veteran, but isn't really #2 material anymore.  Fletcher is alright, but he isn't consistent enough to be the #2, and the same can be said for Faggins and Wynn.  Brown and Earl aren't bad safeties, but neither is that great.  The streak of 7's continues.

DB Score: 7/10

Special Teams

K: Kris Brown
P: Chad Stanley
KR: Dexter Wynn, Jerome Mathis

Brown is an average at best kicker with some accuracy issues.  Stanley doesn't have the strongest leg, he's an below average punter overall.  Wynn is a solid overall returner, and if Mathis is healthy, he can be great, as he had success in 2005.  This group falls short of a 7.

ST Score: 6/10

Coaches
 

Head Coach: Gary Kubiak
O. Coordinator: Mike Sherman
D. Coordinator: Richard Smith

Kubiak has only had one year as a head coach, and they improved from the past season.  Sherman wasn't a bad head coach in the past with the Packers, and should be fine with Houston.  Smith will be their coordinator for the 2nd year.  Decent group.

Coach score: 3/5

Recap

QB/WR- 6/10

RB/TE- 7/10

OL- 7/10

DL- 7/10

LB- 7/10

DB- 7/10

ST- 6/10

C- 3/5

Make sure and leave your rankings for the Texans.  To leave your rankings, click here

Up next, the Titans