QB Matt Schaub (Houston)

There was a time when Schaub was an elite fantasy quarterback, but the Texans have become more of a run heavy team with Arian Foster and Ben Tate over these past few years. In fact, in 10 games last year, Schaub threw the ball 292 times, which translates to 467 times over 16 games. They should pass a bit more than that this year, but if they don’t, and Schaub can’t maintain his career high 8.5 YPA from last year, he could throw for less than 4000 yards. He also only had 15 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in 10 games last year, meaning 25 and 10 over 16 games. And then, of course, he’s missed at least 5 games in 3 of 5 years as a starter. He’s pretty low on the fantasy totem pole this year. This might even be a little high.

Projection:  4120 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 30 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns (247 pts standard/297 pts in 6 pt TD leagues)

RB Arian Foster (Houston)

In a weak year for running backs, Arian Foster is the only one I really, really love and I’m taking him #1 in a heartbeat. Yes, the Texans have Ben Tate, but they also run more than almost any team in the league. In the 12 games he was healthy last year, Foster had 268 carries for 1191 yards and 10 touchdowns. Over 16 games, that’s 357 carries for 1588 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Matt Schaub will be back this year, but they won’t run any less. In the 6 games Foster and Schaub played in healthy last year, Foster carried the ball 161 times, which is 368 times over 16 games. He probably won’t have quite that many next season, but he should approach the 327 carries he had in 2010. A full season of Schaub should push his touchdown total closer to the 18 he had in 2010 than the 12 he had in 2011. He lost 2 starting offensive linemen, so he should be a little down from the 4.7 YPC he’s averaged in his career, but the Texans are so good at producing starting offensive linemen in their scheme that it might not matter that much.

Projection: 320 carries 1440 rushing yards 16 total touchdowns 60 catches 600 receiving yards (300 pts standard/360 pts PPR)

RB Ben Tate (Houston)

The Texans run more than any team in the league so there’s still some value with Ben Tate. His 5.4 YPC from last year probably isn’t replicable, especially after the Texans lost 2 starting offensive lineman. However, he remains a decent RB for your bench and probably the most valuable handcuff in the league. Arian Foster owners will want to own him in case of a Foster injury.

Projection: 150 carries 720 rushing yards 5 total touchdowns 15 catches 110 receiving yards (113 pts standard/128 pts PPR)

WR Andre Johnson (Houston)

I’m torn on Andre Johnson. On one hand, he had 86 catches for 1216 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2010 in just 13 games after back-to-back 100 catch 1500 yard seasons in 2008 and 2009. He didn’t do much last year thanks to injuries, but he should be fully healthy this year. On the other hand, he’s turns 31 in July and the Texans don’t pass as much as they used to and he’s had a history of injury problems. We should see slightly less than peak production for Johnson this year and there’s some downside.

Projection: 80 catches 1200 receiving yards 8 receiving touchdowns (168 pts standard/248 pts PPR)

WR Kevin Walter (Houston)

With Jacoby Jones gone, Walter is the Texans’ only other veteran wide receiver besides Andre Johnson. He should be able to hold off their young receivers for the starting job. However, he’s not that talented. He couldn’t even establish himself as a viable fantasy option when Andre Johnson was hurt last year. There’s no upside with him and some downside if he loses his starting job midseason.

Projection: 50 catches 600 receiving yards 4 receiving touchdowns (84 pts standard/134 pts PPR)

TE Owen Daniels (Houston)

Owen Daniels should once again have a solid season. The Texans have a bunch of weapons, but Daniels should be Schaub’s favorite after Andre Johnson.

Projection: 60 catches 660 receiving yards 4 receiving touchdowns (90 pts standard/150 pts PPR)

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