As we race toward August, Footballguys.com will look at one team per day with our extremely in-depth Team Reports and our quick-hitting Team Mood and Players We're In and Out On, where we check out the overall mood of each team's offense and let you know the players we are in on (because they are great values at the cost it takes to acquire them) and who we're out on (because they are too expensive and won't have a good return on that investment).
Here are all of the Team Mood and Players We're In and Out On articles:
Arizona | Atlanta | Baltimore | Buffalo | Carolina | Chicago | Cincinnati | Cleveland | Dallas | Denver | Detroit | Green Bay | Houston | Indianapolis | Jacksonville | Kansas City | Las Vegas | LA Chargers | LA Rams | Miami | Minnesota | New England | New Orleans | NY Giants | NY Jets | Philadelphia | Pittsburgh | San Francisco | Seattle | Tampa Bay | Tennessee | Washington
Quick Hits
Want a brief overview? Here it is:
- Mood - Neutral
- We're In On at Cost - WR Brandin Cooks
- We're Out On at Cost - RB Dameon Pierce
Want a longer breakdown of how it's going in Houston? Read on.
Houston, Team Mood
- Good - 0
- Neutral - 7
- Bad - 5
Staffers in a Good Mood
- None.
Staffers in a Neutral Mood
- Jason Wood: The team is still years away from contention, but the roster is improved. Lovie Smith should be a steadying hand with a young roster.
- Ryan Weisse: No major changes from last year, but natural growth from Davis Mills should make Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins fun for fantasy.
- Chad Parsons: Nothing really changes at the important spots on the offense. Davis Mills with a chance at a progression upwards.
- Nick Whalen: Pep Hamilton staying in Houston for another year provides some hope for the development of Davis Mills and the offense.
- Sam Wagman: Houston has quietly built a team that won’t contend any time soon but is young and has growth potential with Davis Mills and co.
- Andy Hicks: The Davis Mills from late 2021 had improved significantly from the one that started the season. If he develops even further into year two, this team could surprise.
- Jordan McNamara: The team got a trove of picks for Deshaun Watson and has a chance to find a franchise quarterback in Davis Mills.
Staffers in a Bad Mood
- Christian Williams: While Davis Mills may be a diamond in the rough, the loss of John Metchie and an uncertain running back room may lower the floor of the offense.
- Ben Cummins: Davis Mills showed promise as a quarterback who can get his pass-catchers the ball last year. That will come in handy during another lost season.
- Will Grant: Most of the players on this team won't qualify for a flex position in most fantasy leagues.
- Craig Lakins: I love watching a rebuild, but this team is still in the early stages. There's not much to see here.
- Jeff Bell: There is a very real chance this offense does not have a top-24 positional finisher.
Players We're In On at Cost
- Brandin Cooks - 9
- Nico Collins - 2
- Rex Burkhead - 1
Reasons to be In on Brandin Cooks
- Christian Williams: The perennial value play is again in line for a massive target share and should outperform his ADP.
- Jason Wood: He's a value every single year, and 2022 is no different.
- Ryan Weisse: Just parroting Jason here; Cooks outplays his ADP every year. Draft him and enjoy.
- Chad Parsons: A lock-and-load producer and, frankly, the only one on the offense. Darkhorse mention for Brevin Jordan and Nico Collins in a best case.
- Nick Whalen: He produces every year, despite being on new teams and new quarterbacks.
- Will Grant: The one bright spot on a team that will throw a lot. He'll probably be drafted well below his value too.
- Sam Wagman: Cooks is always the value at the position, and this year is no different. Should be a safe WR2 and is underdrafted.
- Andy Hicks: We are now into year nine for Brandin Cooks. We know what he is. We also know he gets undervalued every year.
- Jordan McNamara: Cooks finished as a top-24 player in each season except his rookie season and injury-shortened final season in LA. He's as dependable as any receiver.
Reasons to be In on Nico Collins
- Ben Cummins: Collins is the locked-in second receiver for a team that will be throwing a ton.
- Craig Lakins: Everyone knows Brandin Cooks will produce, but Collins could also find his way into a breakout role. Right now, he's going at the very end of drafts.
Reasons to be In on Rex Burkhead
- Jeff Bell: Full PPR only, Burkhead could emerge as the passing back in an offense that will be trailing.
Players We're Out On at Cost
- Dameon Pierce - 5
- No One - 4
- All Texans RBs - 2
- Marlon Mack - 2
Reasons to be Out on Dameon Pierce
- Jason Wood: A low-pedigreed rookie on a bad offense with lots of journeyman veterans. Hard pass.
- Chad Parsons: The assumption a Day 3 rookie easily surpasses quality veterans like Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead on a questionable offense to be the clear starter is a stretch.
- Nick Whalen: When it's a true RBBC, I won't be drafting the Day 3 rookie with below-average athleticism.
- Jordan McNamara: The team dilutes the rushing of their starting running back, and Day 3 picks rarely consolidate their starting job early in the season.
- Clayton Gray: Everyone loves shiny new things, but there are capable veterans in Pierce's way. He's not good enough to just cast them aside.
Reasons to be Out on No One
- Christian Williams: Expectations for the offense are low, as reflected in consensus ADP.
- Ryan Weisse: Cooks is the only player with a single-digit ADP, and he deserves it. Everyone else is a dart throw and being drafted as such.
- Sam Wagman: Cooks is the only player with an expensive ADP not to be a dart throw.
- Jeff Bell: All players are priced at levels it’s worth taking a stab late enough.
Reasons to be Out on All Texans RBs
- Ben Cummins: I’m completely avoiding the Texans’ running game.
- Will Grant: This has bad RBBC written all over it.
Reasons to be Out on Marlon Mack
- Craig Lakins: A couple of years removed from his Achilles injury, he seems like a long shot to make an impact.
- Andy Hicks: He may get carries, but post-Achilles injury, he lost whatever spark he used to have.