NFL Thursday takes on the “youngest” professional football franchise today: the Houston Texans. The organization has had minimal success in its 23-season history, never reaching the Super Bowl. In fact, the Texans have just 7 postseason appearances overall, although the team does have just a couple of 1-and-done playoff seasons. That’s a silver lining, and with last season’s improvement, maybe there’s hope for next year.

No. 10: Whitney Mercilus, DE—58 AV (2012-2021)

A first rounder, he played in 134 regular-season games for the team, piling up 57 sacks while forcing 13 fumbles. He never made a Pro Bowl, though, and his only season of double-digit AV (14) came in 2016. In 8 playoff games, though, Mercilus came up bigger, nothing 7 sacks and 13 QB hits. He helped the Texans win 3 of those postseason matchups, for sure, but overall, his contributions aren’t great for first-round talent.

No. 9: Chris Myers, G—60 AV (2008-2014)

He joined the franchise after 3 seasons with the Denver Broncos, and while with the organization, he made two Pro Bowls (2011, 2012). He posted double-digit AV twice, as well (2010, 2011). But in 6 of his 7 seasons with the team, he did put up at least 8 AV, so he was pretty consistent for a guy who was drafted in the 6th round … and acquired for a 6th rounder, too. Overall, he provided good value for the Texans in the end.

No. 8: Brian Cushing, LB—60 AV (2009-2017)

The No. 15 pick in the draft, he made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season—and then never again. He was voted the 2009 defensive ROTY, as well, but his career didn’t go well as time went on. In fact, he only posted 2 seasons of double-digit AV (2009, 2011) before fading into obscurity pretty quickly after 2 positive PED tests and suspensions (2010, 2017). In this case, we wonder which came first: the PEDs or the injuries? Oh well.

No. 7: Johnathan Joseph, DB—62 AV (2011-2019)

A first-round pick by Cincinnati, he joined the Texans after 5 years with the Bengals. He immediately made his only 2 Pro Bowls with Houston (2011-2012), while posting 410 interception return yards and 4 pick sixes during his time with the organization. He also notched 40 total tackles and 2 INTs in 9 playoff games with the franchise. He managed to knock down 118 passes in 133 regular-season games with the team, too. Nice.

No. 6: Arian Foster, RB—62 AV (2009-2015)

Famously undrafted out of college, he ended up reaching great heights with the Texans—including 4 Pro Bowls (2010-2012, 2014) while topping the NFL in rushing during his first full year as a starter (2010). Twice, he led the league in rushing touchdowns, too (2010, 2012). His 20 AV in 2010 was tops in the sport, too. He also ran for 515 yards and 5 TDs in 4 playoff games with Houston as well. Quite the free-agent find!

No. 5: DeAndre Hopkins, WR—67 AV (2013-2019)

A steal at No. 27 overall in the draft, he reached 4 Pro Bowls (2015, 2017-2019) during his 7 years with the team, all without a decent quarterback throwing him the ball. He topped the NFL in receiving TDs once (2017), and he posted double-digit AV in 5 different seasons (2014-2015, 2017-2019). He only caught 1 TD in 6 playoff games, but the Texans were often overmatched during his time with the team, due to poor QB play.

No. 4: Matt Schaub, QB—72 AV (2007-2013)

Amusingly, he’s the “best” QB in team history: a 2-time Pro Bowler (2009, 2012) who also topped the NFL in completions, attempts, and yards all together in one season (2009). But his record as a starter was just 47-43, including the postseason where he put up an 87.5 QB rating in just 2 contests overall. His overall 90.9 QB rating in 90 regular-season games was a bit better, but he always left the fans asking, “What if … ?” Ouch.

No. 3: Duane Brown, T—78 AV (2008-2017)

He reached 3 straight Pro Bowls (2012-2014) with the team after being the No. 26 pick overall in the draft. He posted double-digit AV 3 times (2011, 2012, 2014). He started in 6 postseason games for the Texans as well, from 2011-2016. Eventually, he moved on to the Seattle Seahawks in 2017 via trade and made the Pro Bowl one more time in that season split among the 2 teams (although we’re not sure how and why there).

No. 2: Andre Johnson, WR—119 AV (2003-2014)

Definitely the first “face of the franchise” in Texans history, this guy was a beast: he made 7 Pro Bowls (2004, 2006, 2008-2010, 2012-2013), while leading the NFL in receptions twice (2006, 2008) and in receiving yardage twice (2008-2009). Sadly, playing on bad teams meant he just appeared in 2 postseasons, although he had 25 receptions in 4 playoff contests. Not bad payoff, though, for the No. 3 overall pick in the draft.

No. 1: J.J. Watt, DE—122 AV (2011-202o)

It’s hard to believe he made just 5 Pro Bowls while with the Texans, but this second “face of the franchise” was as dominant as they come on the defensive side of the ball: 101 sacks in 128 regular-season games, plus 3 vote wins for Defensive Player of the Year (one of the trophies we’ve yet to analyze in historical contexts). He topped the NFL in sacks twice (2012, 2015) and overall AV twice as well (2014, 2015). Absolute stud, period.