Perhaps the most intriguing position to watch during the off-season, the Houston Texans could go in a number of different directions at running back heading into 2019.

Lamar Miller finished 12th in the NFL in rushing but endured inconsistency. Miller has struggled to consistently break tackles and lacks top-end vision, while, at 27, it is conceivable that his athleticism will soon be on the decline.

It is telling that of those to finish with more rushing yards than Miller, just one was more than 24 years of age (the resuscitated Adrian Peterson). The NFL continues to look to go younger at running back to player’s with less mileage on their legs, with greater balance, flexibility and capacity to work through contact. In addition, ability in the passing game is crucial.

When Houston drafted D’Onta Foreman in the third round in 2017, they’d have hoped he was Miller’s successor. He showed signs of becoming that player in his rookie season, but the devastating Achilles injury suffered at the end of that year is such that his athletic ability may be far diminished. He didn’t exactly allay such fears in his limited 2018 action.

Alfred Blue was virtually let go by the Texans last year before being re-signed after they failed to add a back, and he did little in 2018 to convince the team he should be back next year. Blue’s a free agent who likely won’t draw interest unless similar occurs.

And thus, Houston are in a quandary. Miller is contracted for another season, and in a more able rotation could offer veteran experience and solid between-the-tackles running. Foreman’s future is a mystery, and a lot will depend on how his first healthy NFL off-season goes.

Houston needs to add athleticism, tackle-breaking and receiving ability to their group in the backfield, that much is clear. Whether that comes from finding a new full-time starter or a body to mix into a rotation is the question.

Houston are unlikely to look at Mark Ingram, Tevin Coleman or Le’Veon Bell in free agency. There aren’t a slew of potential contributors hitting the market otherwise, and thus drafting a back seems likely.

The first-round running back renaissance seems set to end this year. I don’t see a top tier talent at the position for 2019. Joshua Jacobs is gaining traction as RB1, but the Alabama junior isn’t sure to come out. If he does, he could make sense at the back of the first, with speed, power, toughness and receiving ability. The Crimson Tide’s deep rotation means Jacobs has far fewer miles on his legs than most runners coming out of college, adding to his attractiveness.

But I anticipate Houston looking on the second and third days for a new runner. Of all the positions, the success of undrafted and late-round backs in recent years has shown that capable runners can be found anywhere. Texans legend Arian Foster is testament to this.

It is inevitable that two or three productive NFL players emerge from the lower-end of the class, and thus I’d hazard a guess that the Texans bide their time and select their favorite guy later on, rather than spending a more valuable pick on the position, particularly with a potentially outstanding running back class to come in 2020.