The Texans look like they’re going to be pretty god-awful – the worst team in the league. And that makes it look pretty likely that there shouldn’t be much of value on that roster to pick from.

Suppose, for example, that the Texans win only 2 games. And I think that’s a possibility – I don’t see who they’re supposed to beat (and I’m working under the assumption that Deshaun Watson doesn’t play for them in 2021). Since 2000, there have been 27 games that have failed to win 3 games in a season, and those teams have generate much in terms of quality fantasy performers.

I pulled up the numbers on this, and they’re pretty spartan. Of those 27 lousy team only four finished with top-20 quarterbacks.

TOP-25 QUARTERBACKS FROM CRAPPY TEAMS
YearPlayerPassTDPRunTDRPPRRk
2008Tyler Thigpen, K.C.2,608183863271.712
2002Jon Kitna, Cin.3,17816574252.617
2005David Carr, Hou.2,488143081219.218
2001Chris Weinke, Car.2,931111286239.419
2017DeShone Kizer, Cle.2,894114195260.622
2019Andy Dalton, Cin.3,49416734274.622
2007Cleo Lemon, Mia.1,77361024146.925
2009Matthew Stafford, Det.2,267131082190.225

Only 12 finished with top-20 running backs, and I’ll admit that’s higher than what I was expecting. Using PPR scoring, 12 of those 27 teams – almost half – had a top-20 running back. James Robinson of last year’s Jaguars leads the way in this category – 7th among backs last year.

The below chart supports the notion that David Johnson (of this year’s Texans) maybe has some chance of being a serviceable depth running back. But I don’t see it. I’m not advocating anybody goes after Johnson with any other than modest expectations.

TOP-30 RUNNING BACKS FROM CRAPPY TEAMS
YearPlayerRunRecTotalTDPPRRk
2020James Robinson, Jac.1,0703441,41410252.47
2009Steven Jackson, St.L.1,4163221,7384248.88
2012Jamaal Charles, K.C.1,5092361,7456245.59
2011Steven Jackson, St.L.1,1453331,4786225.810
2017Duke Johnson, Cle.3486931,0417220.111
2019Joe Mixon, Cin.1,1372871,4248225.413
2016Isaiah Crowell, Cle.9523191,2717209.114
2008Steven Jackson, St.L.1,0423791,4218230.115
2005Domanick Williams, Hou.9763371,3136206.315
2002Corey Dillon, Cin.1,3112981,6097245.916
2008Kevin Smith, Det.9762861,2628213.217
2016Carlos Hyde, S.F.9881631,1519198.118
2009Kevin Smith, Det.7474151,1625187.221
2007Ronnie Brown, Mia.6023899915170.123
2004Kevan Barlow, S.F.8222121,0347180.424
2001Cory Schlesinger, Det.1544666203140.028
2013Ben Tate, Hou.7711409114149.130

With wide receivers, I see six who finished with top-20 stats and another eight who ranked in the top 30. If you want to push it out to the top 40, I see 19 wide receivers from those 27 teams. If you’re thinking about Brandin Cooks, this is a positive sign – an indication he might have a top-40 season in him.

TOP-40 WIDE RECEIVERS FROM CRAPPY TEAMS
YearPlayerRecYdsTDPPRRk
2008Calvin Johnson, Det.781,33112285.03
2013Andre Johnson, Hou.1091,4075279.710
2014Mike Evans, T.B.681,05112245.113
2008Dwayne Bowe, K.C.861,0227230.216
2019Tyler Boyd, Cin.901,0465226.917
2016Terrelle Pryor, Cle.771,0075213.920
2002Chad Johnson, Cin.691,1665215.621
2011Pierre Garcon, Ind.709476203.522
2009Calvin Johnson, Det.679845202.722
2001Johnnie Morton, Det.771,1544217.022
2011Reggie Wayne, Ind.759604195.025
2012Cecil Shorts, Jac.559797194.526
2000Jeff Graham, S.D.559074169.729
2012Justin Blackmon, Jac.648655184.829
2014Vincent Jackson, T.B.701,0022182.233
2008Torry Holt, St.L.647963161.635
2000Curtis Conway, S.D.537125157.338
2020Jamison Crowder, NYJ596996172.539
2008Donnie Avery, St.L.536744151.339

At tight end, five of these 27 lesser teams had players ranking in the top 10 at their position. Tony Gonzalez is the headliner – No. 1 among tight ends in scoring in 2008 while the losses piled up for the team around him.

TOP-25 TIGHT ENDS FROM CRAPPY TEAMS
YearPlayerRecYdsTDPPRRk
2008Tony Gonzalez, K.C.961,05810261.81
2000Freddie Jones, S.D.717665177.63
2004Eric Johnson, S.F.828252176.55
2014Delanie Walker, Ten.638904176.08
2001David Sloan, Det.374097119.99
2001Wesley Walls, Car.434525118.211
2013Garrett Graham, Hou.495455133.515
2012Marcedes Lewis, Jac.525404130.018
2016Gary Barnidge, Cle.556122130.219
2019Tyler Eifert, Cin.434363106.619
2017David Njoku, Cle.32386494.724
2009Will Heller, Det.29296376.625

—Ian Allan