The Houston Texans open training camp on July 31 at Methodist Training Center in Houston. Here is a projection of what their starting lineup could be at the beginning of the season.
Offense
Quarterback (Brian Hoyer): The competition between Hoyer and Ryan Mallett is still active and will likely be determined early in training camp.
Left tackle (Duane Brown): The Texans have high expectations for the two-time Pro Bowl player who is entering his eighth NFL season. Last season marked the fourth time Brown has gone an entire season without being called for holding.
Left guard (Xavier Su'a-Filo): After being used in various places during his rookie season, the 33rd overall pick of the 2014 draft is now focusing on becoming the Texans' starting left guard.
Center (Ben Jones): Jones was drafted for this role in 2012, but waited behind veteran Chris Myers until this season.
Right guard (Brandon Brooks): Brooks has solidified himself as one of the league's better guards and Texans coach Bill O'Brien has been impressed with his conditioning this year.
Right tackle (Derek Newton): Once everyone's favorite punching bag, Newton now provides stability and versatility to the Texans' offensive line. He signed a five-year, $26.5 million deal this offseason.
Running back (Arian Foster): As he approaches age 30, the Texans recognize the need to manage Foster's workload, but still expect a heavy dose of the running back who is elite when healthy.
Wide receiver (DeAndre Hopkins): Hopkins is coming off his first 1,000-yard season and will enter a new spotlight with Andre Johnson's departure.
Wide receiver (Nate Washington): Washington hasn't missed a game since 2005 and is one of four NFL players to have a touchdown catch of 70 yards of more in each of the past three seasons.
Wide receiver (Cecil Shorts): After four seasons with the Jaguars, Shorts signed with the Texans in free agency and can play both inside and outside.
Tight end (Garrett Graham): Graham had a high ankle sprain late last season and is looking for an increase in production in 2015.
Defense
Defensive end (J.J. Watt): Watt is the only player since 2000 to have 40 or more quarterback hits in a single season. He has done it three times.
Defensive tackle (Vince Wilfork): After 11 seasons with the New England Patriots, bookended by two Super Bowl championships, Wilfork enters a new chapter.
Defensive end (Jared Crick): Overshadowed by the superstar across from him, Crick had a career-high 56 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season.
Outside linebacker (Jadeveon Clowney): Clowney's recovery from microfracture surgery has gone well this offseason with team doctor Walt Lowe telling Forbes.com he looks "spectacular."
Inside linebacker (Brian Cushing): When he had the first of two significant knee injuries back in 2012, Cushing was the Texans' best defensive player. Now entering a season truly healthy for the first time since then, he'll be a significant boon to the Texans' defense.
Inside linebacker (Mike Mohamed): Mohamed goes into his third season with the Texans and will be pushed by second-round pick Benardrick McKinney for this starting spot.
Outside linebacker (Whitney Mercilus): Coming to the end of his rookie contract, Mercilus signed a four-year deal worth $26 million this summer.
Cornerback (Johnathan Joseph): A three-year extension aims to keep Joseph with the Texans for the rest of his career. He had 75 tackles, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries last season, all of which set or tied single-season career highs.
Safety (Rahim Moore): After four seasons with the Denver Broncos, Moore takes over as a Texans starter.
Safety (Stevie Brown): Brown has a similar skill set to Moore, so the Texans could go for variety at this position. Brown has the most starting experience of the safeties other than Moore.
Cornerback (Kareem Jackson): Jackson was part of a cornerback spending spree by the Texans this offseason when they signed him to a four-year, $34 million deal. It was Jackson's reward for becoming one of the league's most dependable cornerbacks after a rocky beginning to his NFL career.
Specialists
Punter (Shane Lechler): Lechler set a team record with a 71-yard punt last season. Since 1991 he leads all punters in punts of 70 yards or longer, with 12.
Kicker (Randy Bullock): Bullock made 30 of 35 field goal attempts (two of them were blocked) and all of his extra point attempts last season.
Long-snapper (Jon Weeks): Weeks has been dependable for the Texans at long-snapper since signing in 2010.
