For a variety of reasons, this week will help shape the future of the franchise.
One of those reasons: the Senior Bowl.
The college all-stars are arriving in Mobile, Alabama and they'll get their first practice in on Tuesday. The talent evaluators from every NFL team, including the Texans, are there as well. They get a chance to see the players up close in practice. More importantly, teams get a chance to meet with and interview some of the top prospects, too.
Two years ago, in 2018, the Texans selected one player who suited up in the Senior Bowl. That was Central Florida tight end Jordan Akins, who's been an impact contributor in each of his first two seasons.
But last year, the Texans went heavy on Senior Bowl participants in the NFL Draft. Their first three selections all played in Mobile. Right tackle Tytus Howard was a first round pick and left guard Max Scharping was a second-rounder. Both were starters on the offense line in 2019, and look to be cornerstones up front for the Texans. Cornerback Lonnie Johnson Jr. also played in the Senior Bowl, and the Texans took him in the second round. He started some, and saw significant action in 2019.
Defensive end Charles Omenihu also played in the game last January, and was taken in the fifth round. Running back Karan Higdon was on the practice squad for Houston in 2019, and could figure into the mix at that position next season.
John Harris of HoustonTexans.com will file reports from south Alabama this week, and will have much more on the prospects playing in this year's game.
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 4/16/2021)

TE, Jordan Akins, #88

TE, Antony Auclair

DL, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98

DB, Cornell Armstrong, #30

DL, Ross Blacklock, #90

OL, Justin Britt

DB, Terrence Brooks

TE, Pharaoh Brown, #85

OL, Cohl Cabral, #72

OL, Marcus Cannon

WR, Randall Cobb, #18

DL, Maliek Collins

WR, Chris Conley

WR, Brandin Cooks, #13

WR, Isaiah Coulter, #82

WR, Keke Coutee, #16

DB, Keion Crossen, #35

LB, Zach Cunningham, #41

LB, Tae Davis

DL, Brandon Dunn, #92

LB, Duke Ejiofor, #53

WR, Alex Erickson

K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7

QB, Ryan Finley

OL, Hjalte Froholdt, #77

LB, Jonathan Greenard, #52

LB, Kamu Grugier-Hill

LB, Nate Hall, #48

DB, Vernon Hargreaves III, #26

OL, Charlie Heck, #67

RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #27

OL, Tytus Howard, #71

RB, Buddy Howell, #38

RB, Mark Ingram

TE, Ryan Izzo

LB, Jordan Jenkins

RB, David Johnson, #31

DL, Jaleel Johnson

DB, Lonnie Johnson Jr., #32

P, Cameron Johnston

DB, Desmond King

LB, Christian Kirksey

DL, Shaq Lawson

RB, Phillip Lindsay

LB, Jacob Martin, #54

OL, Justin McCray

LB, Whitney Mercilus, #59

DB, Terrance Mitchell

WR, Donte Moncrief

DB, A.J. Moore Jr., #33

WR, Chris Moore

DB, Eric Murray, #23

LB, Hardy Nickerson

DL, Charles Omenihu, #94

DB, Jonathan Owens, #36

LB, Kevin Pierre-Louis

RB, Scottie Phillips, #40

TE, Paul Quessenberry

DB, John Reid, #34

DB, Justin Reid, #20

DL, Derek Rivers

WR, Andre Roberts

DB, Bradley Roby, #21

OL, Max Scharping, #74

DB, Tremon Smith

OL, Jordan Steckler

OL, Lane Taylor

QB, Tyrod Taylor

DL, Vincent Taylor

LB, Joe Thomas

DB, Tavierre Thomas

OL, Cole Toner

OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78

DL, MeMarcus Walker

TE, Kahale Warring, #81

QB, Deshaun Watson, #4

LS, Jon Weeks #46