Lamar Miller was signed last offseason in free agency by the Houston Texans and was expected to make a major impact last year. Unfortunately, his consistency was a problem all season long. He did end up making an impact, but there were some concerns following the season that he might not live up to the big contract that he was signed to.
That being said, no one can argue with the playmaking potential and talent that Miller possesses. He had issues similar to the ones he had last year during the early stages of his career with the Miami Dolphins, but always found ways to bounce back from them.
Last season with the Texans, Miller finished the season with 268 carries for 1,073 yards and five touchdowns. The fact that those numbers are being viewed as an issue should tell you just how talented Miller has proven himself to be. Those numbers are expected to rise in 2017 with the Texans.
What should the Texans and the NFL expect to see from Miller in the 2017 season?
Quite simply, his numbers are going to increase in a big way. Houston will be relying on Miller to handle a large portion of the offensive workload. Rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson is capable of coming in and making some plays, but Miller will be asked to take a lot of pressure off the young quarterback’s shoulders.
Not only will Miller’s ground numbers increase as he takes a large portion of the work, he will also improve as a receiver out of the backfield. Watson won’t be taking lots of shots deep down the field and the Texans will utilize Miller’s speed in the open field as a weapon for Watson. Miller caught 31 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown last season.
It is never easy to predict a players numbers, but there are some reasonable expectations for Miller. He should carry the football at least 325 times for 1,300 yards and will up his touchdown total to at least eight on the season. Miller’s workload may increase even more than that, but those numbers are reasonable to expect.
Expect to see the Texans compete for a playoff spot once again in 2017, even with a rookie quarterback leading the way. Miller will have a big role in deciding where the Texans end up at the end of the season and it will be intriguing to see what kind of year he has.
What kind of season do you expect Lamar Miller to have for the Houston Texans in 2017? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!
