Chris Taylor

Needs a break or two to secure a job in the New England backfield.

Provides running back depth for the Patriots.

Ahman Green and Chris Brown may be listed ahead of him on the current depth chart, but Taylor is the runner whom the Texans' coaching staff loves. He fits Alex Gibbs' zone blocking scheme perfectly, but he missed all of last season with a knee injury. He impressed during his brief stint of work in 2006, and with aging and constantly hurt options in front of him, Taylor might soon find himself with a major opportunity in the Texans' backfield. Rookie Steve Slaton is best suited to third-down-back duty, so Taylor is the one to watch in Houston.

Taylor will be lost for the 2007 season because of a torn meniscus in his left knee. Taylor had faced a battle with several other backs just to remain on the roster after Houston added Ahman Green and the re-signed Ron Dayne in the offseason.

Taylor, an undrafted rookie from Indiana, survived the final cuts because of Domanick Davis' knee injury. Taylor becomes the Texans third string running back behind Wali Lundy and Vernand Morency. He was used in the return game during the exhibition season, so we may hear his name later on as a replacement for kick returner Jerome Mathis (foot).