Jaelen Strong

Strong, a third-round pick in 2015, was a forgotten man at the start of the 2016 season. The Texans had selected two wideouts in the draft last season, a sure sign they weren't happy with Strong's conditioning during his rookie season. He capitalized on an injury to Braxton Miller and started getting more snaps midseason, but an ankle injury put an end to his momentum. He'll be in direct competition with Miller for playing time this season, with both players gunning for the No. 2 receiver job after Will Fuller suffered a broken collarbone in training camp. Fuller is expected to miss at least the first month of the season, but he should be back to reclaim a starting job at some point during the year. Strong, meanwhile, is set to serve a one-game suspension to start the season, resulting from a marijuana possession charge.

Strong, a 2015 third-round pick, had a rocky introduction to the NFL, getting in earful in organized team activities from head coach Bill O'Brien about his conditioning. When he dropped weight, O'Brien needed him to practice better before giving him playing time. As the season wore on, Strong started getting more offensive snaps, but only when others were injured. Our first glimpse of Strong in 2016, apart from a February arrest for marijuana possession, was at May's organized team activities. Strong was leaner and appeared determined to put his offseason ignominy behind him. Where this leaves Strong on the depth chart is unclear, as two wideouts drafted in 2016 and veterans Cecil Shorts and Keith Mumphrey will compete for playing time.

Taken in the third round, Strong should compete with Nate Washington and Cecil Shorts for targets opposite DeAndre Hopkins. While Strong's route running is raw, there's no denying his physical skills — at 6-2, 217, with a 4.44 40, he has the size, speed and athleticism to evolve into a top target eventually. It's likely he begins the year as the No. 3 or No. 4, but Washington will turn 32 in August, and Shorts is one of the more injury-prone wideouts in the league. Concerns about a wrist injury lowered Strong's draft stock, but apparently the Texans examined him and found nothing wrong. At press time, he's expected to be healthy for the start of training camp.