NFL power rankings: Vikings, Eagles top the board

2018 Key Additions: Entering the offseason, Bill O’Brien’s club had some big defensive needs when it came to the secondary. The Houston Texans addressed those in a big way with free-agent signings such as cornerbacks Aaron Colvin (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Johnson Bademosi (New England Patriots), as well as the addition of former Arizona Cardinals’ standout Tyrann Mathieu. The team did not have a first- or second-round pick this year but still came away with eight players, including third-round safety Justin Reid (Stanford) and a pair of tight ends in Jordan Akins and Jordan Thomas. And with Mike Vrabel off to Tennessee, Romeo Crennel is back as the team’s defensive coordinator.

Offseason Review: Yes, Houston plummeted to last place in their division this past season after winning back-to-back division titles. But a year ago, the team were beset by injuries. While promising rookie quarterback DeShaun Watson was lost in practice one November afternoon. But he impressed while he was on the field for 26 quarters during the regular season. The Texans also lost defensive end J.J. Watt and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus in Week 5, which obviously proved to be extremely costly. All told, this club went out and added some depth to avoid another total collapse by a club that lost its last six games a year ago. Of course, there are no guarantees when it comes to health in this league.