QUARTERBACKS: C

For the third time in four years, the Texans were forced to play musical chairs with the most important position on the team. Injuries sent Ryan Fitzpatrick (fractured tibia), Ryan Mallett (torn pectoral muscle) and Tom Savage (hyperextended knee) to the sideline. First-year quarterbacks coach George Godsey did a splendid job of preparing four to play and three to start. Fitzpatrick had 17 touchdown passes, eight interceptions and a career-best 95.3 rating. Mallett engineered a terrific victory at Cleveland, where he threw two touchdown passes and looked like a legitimate NFL quarterback. Then he played hurt against Cincinnati and was lost for the season. He flashed enough to make the Texans want him back. Savage's rookie season was a learning experience. He was injured at the end of his only meaningful playing time. Keenum was an amazing story, signed off St. Louis' practice squad and inserted into the lineup against Baltimore. He helped the Texans beat the Ravens and close with a victory over Jacksonville, a remarkable performance considering the circumstances.

Under contract: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tom Savage, Thad Lewis

Unrestricted: Ryan Mallett

Exclusive rights: Case Keenum

Position coach: George Godsey

RUNNING BACKS: A-

If Arian Foster had been healthy, he would have challenged Dallas' DeMarco Murray for the league rushing title. The Texans finished fifth in rushing (135.1 yards per game). Foster missed three games because of injuries. He carried eight times for 6 yards when he played hurt against Buffalo. He had five carries for 23 yards before leaving Sunday's victory over Jacksonville with a hamstring injury. Despite missing so much time, Foster finished with 260 carries for 1,246 yards (4.8 per carry) and 13 touchdowns, including five rushing. He also was voted to the Pro Bowl again. Alfred Blue, a sixth-round pick, was the most productive rookie. When replacing Foster, he carried 169 times for 528 yards (3.1 average) and scored four touchdowns. Jonathan Grimes added 153 yards on 39 carries.

Under contract: Arian Foster, Alfred Blue, Jonathan Grimes, Jay Prosch

Position coach: Charles London

RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS: B-

Andre Johnson closed with a flourish, catching 10 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville. Despite playing with three starting quarterbacks, he led the team with 85 catches. DeAndre Hopkins led the offense with 1,210 yards and six touchdowns. Johnson turns 34 next season. He's missed only one game the last three seasons. In his second season, Hopkins emerged as a big-time player and should get better. Damaris Johnson (31 catches, 331 yards) was the slot receiver. Keshawn Martin and DeVier Posey basically disappeared in the new system. Speaking of disappearing, the tight ends combined for 32 catches, 316 yards and three touchdowns. The offense needed more out of the slot receiver and tight ends.

Under contract: Andre Johnson, DeAndre Hopkins, Keshawn Martin, DeVier Posey, Alan Bonner

Restricted: Damaris Johnson

Under contract: Garrett Graham, Ryan Griffin, C.J. Fiedorowicz, Anthony Denham

Position coach: Stan Hixon (receivers), John Perry (tight ends)

OFFENSIVE LINE: B+

It took a while for the players to adjust to new coach Paul Dunn's style, and once they did, the linemen continued to improve. They were fortunate because they avoided major injury to a starter. Pass protection involves much more than the linemen, but it's what they're judged on, and they did a terrific job. None was voted to the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2010. The Texans allowed 26 sacks. Only three teams surrendered fewer. They had six games in which they didn't allow a sack. Quick releases by the quarterbacks helped, too. The run blocking was above average for the most part. The linemen became a more physical unit as the season progressed. They helped the offense win average time of possession.

Under contract: Duane Brown, Ben Jones, Chris Myers, Brandon Brooks, Xavier Su'a-Filo, Tyson Clabo, Jeff Adams, Bryan Witzmann, Will Yeatman, David Quessenberry

Unrestricted: Derek Newton

Restricted: Cody White

Position coach: Paul Dunn

DEFENSIVE LINE: A

J.J. Watt authored one of the most incredible seasons in NFL history with 20½ sacks. Watt is as great against the run as he is rushing the passer. Under Bill Kollar, regarded as one of the NFL's best defensive line coaches, a lot of the young linemen made considerable improvement.

Jared Crick was productive in his first season as a starter in place of Antonio Smith. He was stout against the run and improved as a pass rusher. Nose tackle Ryan Pickett provided the defense with an experienced anchor in the middle. He was an excellent addition early in the season when the Texans struggled against the run. Veteran Jerrell Powe filled in admirably on the nose. Rookie Jeoffrey Pagan became part of the rotation and improved late in the season.

Under contract: J.J. Watt, Jared Crick, Louis Nix III, Jeoffrey Pagan, Keith Browner

Unrestricted: Ryan Pickett, Tim Jamison.

Restricted: Jerrell Powe

Position coach: Bill Kollar

LINEBACKERS: B-

Injuries affected this area more than any on the team, beginning with rookie Jadeveon Clowney. First-year position coach Mike Vrabel juggled a lot of players and got the most out of many of them. As a group, the linebackers played the run well, especially over the second half, but they didn't do what 3-4 defenses are supposed to do - get the quarterback. Whitney Mercilus had a career-low five sacks. Brooks Reed added three. Brian Cushing became a run-down player. Mike Mohamed was effective in coverage. Akeem Dent turned into a nice surprise as an inside starter. John Simon was a good pickup from Baltimore's practice squad. Justin Tuggle and Jeff Tarpinian primarily contributed on special teams.

Under contract: Brian Cushing, Whitney Mercilus, Jadeveon Clowney, Mike Mohamed, John Simon, Justin Tuggle, Jason Ankrah, Max Bullough

Unrestricted: Brooks Reed, Akeem Dent

Restricted: Jeff Tarpinian

Position coach: Mike Vrabel

SECONDARY: B

The defensive backs helped the Texans set a team record with 34 turnovers. They had 16 of the 20 interceptions. They allowed 28 touchdown passes. The coverage improved dramatically after the open date. Cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson were the starters for a fourth consecutive season, and both played well. They used a lot of young corners, including A.J. Bouye, who tied for the team lead with three interceptions. Veteran safety Kendrick Lewis was a solid addition who provided some big plays. Strong safety D.J. Swearinger provided the spark with his physical style.

Under contract: Johnathan Joseph, D.J. Swearinger, A.J. Bouye, Jumal Rolle, Darryl Morris, Andre Hal, Josh Aubrey, Lonnie Ballentine

Unrestricted: Kareem Jackson, Kendrick Lewis, Danieal Manning

Exclusive rights: Eddie Pleasant

Position coach: John Butler

SPECIAL TEAMS: C+

Randy Bullock converted 30 of 35 field goals and scored 130 points. He missed only two from the 40 and beyond. His kickoffs improved. His 40 touchbacks tied for 15th. Shane Lechler finished with a gross average of 46.3 yards and a net of 38.7, both down from last season. He put 27 inside the 20 and had 10 touchbacks. Punt (12.4 yards) and kickoff coverage (26) were average. Returns were terrible. They finished with 6.1 yards on punt returns and 21.1 on kickoffs. The return game must improve next season.

Under contract: Shane Lechler, Randy Bullock, Jon Weeks

Position coach: Bob Ligashesky

COACHING: B+

Bill O'Brien and his staff put in new systems, used a lot of different players, overcame injuries and helped the Texans finish with a winning record. O'Brien called the plays. Quarterbacks George Godsey did a terrific job preparing three to start and four to play. He played a major role in developing offensive game plans. He deserves the offensive coordinator title. Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel installed a complicated system that the players finally figured out after the open date, and they responded with an outstanding performance during a 5-2 stretch. An excellent coach behind the scenes, Jim Bernhardt, has the title of director of research, but his role is much more important than that. He's O'Brien's right-hand man, sounding board and cool hand. Bernhardt doesn't tell O'Brien what he wants to hear. He tells him what he thinks the coach needs to hear. O'Brien and his assistants had strong plans, adjusted well, overcame obstacles and provided the kind of direction and leadership the players needed after a 2-14 season. The staff worked well together in its first season, which is a positive sign for the offseason and next season.