Houston’s playoff push in 2025 hinges on development during training camp and final roster decisions. DeMeco Ryans praised the week of growth across the Texans’ unit after a 20-3 preseason win, stressing the hard choices ahead to trim to 53.

Bubble players like C.J. Stroud’s offense-mesh, Kedon Slovis as a potential backup, and a trio of receiver candidates—Braxton Berrios, John Metchie III, and Justin Watson—shaped the takeaways from the win. Depth at tight end with Irv Smith Jr. and Luke Lachey offered both veteran presence and youth, while the defensive backs Kamari Lassiter, D’Angelo Ross, and Jaylin Smith flashed enough to stay in the conversation.

Fantasy angles center on Stroud’s continued comfort and efficiency, Slovis’s path behind him, and which WRs land the final spots. The camp storyline is less about start and more about who can separate with consistent, game-like play as Houston prepares for Week 1 and a grind-through-cut period.