31-year old Andre’ Davis would probably return kickoffs if the season started today but he’ll have to hold off Jacoby Jones and rookie Trindon Holliday to keep the job.  Davis played in 14 games for the Texans last season and he returned 33 kickoffs for 782 yards (23.7 avg).  He has now played in 104 games in his NFL career and he has returned 205 kickoffs for 4,821 yards (23.5 avg) with 4 TD returns.  Davis is fast and he gets up the field usually running north and south.

26-year old Jacoby Jones is super fast with a lot of moves in the open field.  He played in 14 games for the Texans last season and he returned 24 kickoffs for 638 yards (26.6 avg) with 1 TD return.  Jones has now played in 44 games in his NFL career and he has returned 41 kickoffs for 996 yards (24.3 avg) with 1 TD return.  The Texans though want to limit how much they use Jones on special teams this year because he’s going to be the #3 WR.

That could be where rookie 6th round pick Trindon Holliday comes in.  He has sprinters speed as he can go the distance on any return.  But he’s only 5’5″, 159 pounds so it’s up in the air as to whether he can handle the beating he will take in the NFL.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE TEXANS KICKOFF RETURNERS in 2010:  A