Eric Prisbell

USA TODAY Sports

By the time the Houston Texans' 2015 season ended with a thud, a 30-0 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in a wild-card game, it was clear what needed to change.

The Texans, who overcame a 2-5 start to win the lackluster AFC South, needed to upgrade key offensive positions. More specifically, they needed more speed.

So while the signing of quarterback Brock Osweiler to a four-year, $72 million contract garnered the most national attention, it's the other changes the Texans made to their offense that could help Osweiler thrive and establish Houston as the division favorite.

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"One of the things we identified while we were evaluating our team was how we can become a little faster, a little bit more athletic in certain areas," coach Bill O'Brien said.

Houston needed more explosive passing plays. The Texans finished 30th in average yards per pass attempt. And whether it was Ryan Mallett, T.J. Yates, Brandon Weeden or, most prominently, Brian Hoyer, they could not find a quarterback to jump-start the offense.

In response, they used their first-round pick on speedy Notre Dame receiver Will Fuller, who should be an immediate deep threat — though he does have an issue with drops — to complement emerging star DeAndre Hopkins.

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They spent a third rounder on Braxton Miller from Ohio State. And Houston shrewdly drafted San Jose State's Tyler Ervin, who should help in the backfield as well as on special teams as a returner with his 4.41 speed in the 40-yard dash.

They moved on from Arian Foster, their all-time leading rusher, and signed free agent Lamar Miller from the Miami Dolphins. While Hopkins and Fuller can stretch the field vertically, Miller and Ervin should pose threats on underneath passes.

After ranking third in total defense, Houston now has enough dynamic and versatile offensive weapons to be a threat if it manages a playoff return.

Quarterback

The Texans invested big to upgrade a position that has been their biggest issue for years. Hoyer was serviceable, but his turnover-marred performance in the playoff loss to Kansas City was a reminder that he was not the long-term solution. So Houston made a big-splash signing in Osweiler, a 6-8, strong-armed 25-year-old who remains a relative unknown commodity. He has started seven games and thrown 305 passes in his four-year career, posting a passer rating of 86. The Denver Broncos went back to Peyton Manning after Osweiler's uneven showing in Week 17 against the San Diego Chargers last season. On the positive side, Osweiler led the league in yards per attempt (9.83) and passer rating (114.6) against pressure looks. Hopkins said Osweiler's best attribute was leadership: "Coming out there wanting to be great and holding everyone accountable."

Running back

The Texans have high hopes for their running game after signing Miller, 25, who might have been underutilized in Miami. In four seasons, he rushed for 2,930 yards and 19 touchdowns. He had eight rushing touchdowns in each of the past two seasons. The speedster has had runs of 85 and 97 yards. He has had 638 carries and figures to be used more prominently in Houston's offense. Alfred Blue, a sixth-round pick in 2014, and Ervin, the 119th overall pick this spring, also will see action.

Wide receiver

Hopkins has quickly blossomed into one of the game's best receivers. Over the past two seasons, he ranks seventh in catches (187) and fifth in yards (2,731). "With him, I don't know if there's anything that's not catchable as long as you put it in bounds," Osweiler said. "That's very comforting as a quarterback. He's always saying, 'Just throw it up; I'll go get it.'" But Hopkins can't be Houston's only dangerous pass-catching threat. The Texans made strong and necessary moves in the draft to bolster their receiving corps. Fuller has 4.32 speed in the 40-yard dash. Braxton Miller played quarterback for most of his Ohio State career but also can stretch defenses. Cecil Shorts, 28, and Jaelen Strong, 22, will also figure into the mix.

Tight end

C.J. Fiedorowicz, a 6-6 third-round pick from Iowa in 2014, is primarily a blocking tight end, and he is a good one. He caught 17 passes for 167 yards and one touchdown last season. Ryan Griffin, who has been rehabbing an Achilles tendon, caught 20 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns.

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Offensive line

Houston needed to replace departed center Ben Jones and right guard Brandon Brooks. The Texans used a second-round pick on center Nick Martin (brother of Dallas Cowboys' all-pro Zack Martin), who could compete for the starting job. And they signed former Chiefs lineman Jeff Allen, who is expected to step in for Brooks. Veteran Duane Brown is back at left tackle after tearing his thigh muscle in January. Derek Newton is slated to start at right tackle, with Xavier Su'a-Filo at left guard.

Defensive line

J.J. Watt is the league's best defensive player. He has never missed a game as a pro. And despite playing with a broken hand and a herniated disk at times last year, he still amassed 17½ sacks, forced three fumbles and took home his third defensive player of the year award. Watt had surgery in January to repair five fully or partially torn muscles in and around his core. With Jared Crick departing for Denver, it's unclear who will be the mainstay at the other end position, although Christian Covington and Devon Still should be among those who figure into the plans. Rookie D.J. Reader should help spell 34-year-old nose tackle Vince Wilfork when needed.

Linebacker

This promises to be a critical season for Jadeveon Clowney, the first overall pick in 2014. He has dealt with nagging injuries throughout his pro career, missed two games late last season with a midfoot sprain and expressed frustration in missing the playoff game. On the inside, Benardrick McKinney collected 63 tackles and one sack last season. Veteran Brian Cushing, 29, is also back after recording 110 tackles last season. And Whitney Mercilus had a breakout season last year with 12 sacks off the edge opposite Clowney.

Secondary

The Texans are strong at cornerback. Starter Johnathan Joseph defended 22 passes and made 58 tackles last year. Kevin Johnson and Kareem Jackson are also capable playmakers. The Texans added safety Antonio Allen, who missed all of last year with the New York Jets because of a torn Achilles tendon. They also used a fifth-round draft pick on K.J. Dillon. Andre Hal and Quintin Demps could solidify one safety slot.

Special teams

Kicker Nick Novak signed a one-year deal to remain with Houston after making 18 of 21 field-goal attempts last year. Over the past four seasons, he has made 93% of his field goals from inside 40 yards. Still, undrafted rookie Ka'imi Fairbairn, who had a stellar career at UCLA, could push Novak. Punter Shane Lechler returns. Keith Mumphery looks in position to get the job as the primary kick returner.

Coaching

O'Brien, 46, has built a reputation based on his work with quarterbacks. But he has struggled to find one in two years as an NFL head coach and admittedly could have handled the early season shuffling under center better last year. After O'Brien posted winning records in his first two seasons, the onus is on him to lead the Texans deeper in the playoffs.

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Follow Eric Prisbell on Twitter @EricPrisbell

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