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QB Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

HT: 6-5, WT: 237, Born: 6-25-1981, College: Virginia, Drafted: Round 3

2008 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of June 28th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: A Rodgers (107), J Norwood (108), Matt Schaub (109), S Rice (110), V Jackson (111)
Position: J Delhomme (102-QB15), A Rodgers (107-QB16), Matt Schaub (109 - QB17), J Kitna (122-QB18), J Campbell (125-QB19)
Click here for a comparison of these players.

 Click here to go to the Matt Schaub spotlight, our staff's most detailed analysis.

 Click here to go to the Matt Schaub faceoff, our staff's look at the pros and cons.

Best Case

The Texans offensive line continues to improve, giving Schaub time to throw the ball and the rushing attack helps to alleviate the pressure on the passing game. Andre Johnson stays healthy throughout the season and Owen Daniels becomes a top-six fantasy performer at the tight end position. If this were to occur, Schaub could actually finish as a top-six fantasy quarterback in 2008, with numbers approaching 4,000 passing yards and 25 touchdowns.

Worst Case

The Texans offensive line takes a step back and Schaub gets hit far too often resulting in more games missed in 2008. Johnson once again is lost for a significant number of games and no receiver steps into the No. 1 role on the team. If this were to happen, Schaub would have limited fantasy value and could face heat for the starting position from backup Sage Rosenfels.

Outlook

Schaub will put up good fantasy numbers if he can stay healthy this season. Last season he flashed excellence on occasion and should improve in year two as the Texans starting quarterback. Andre Johnson has become an elite weapon from the receiver slot and the multi-headed RB approach in Houston should help move the chains this season. Schaub has a real opportunity to become a legitimate top-12 fantasy quarterback in 2008.

Relevant Articles

Why he is undervalued

Clayton Gray - Schaub and Sage Rosenfels put up excellent numbers last year despite missing Andre Johnson for much of the season, but the fantasy world seems to have missed it. Step 1 for 2008: Take Schaub when 14 or so other QBs are off the board. Step 2: Take Rosenfels when the backup QBs start to go (or in your last round...whatever comes first). Result: Enjoy having a bargain top-eight fantasy QB.

Chris Smith - The Texans are a team on the upswing. Schaub learned on the job last season but he'll be better this season and has a legitimate stud receiver in Andre Johnson to get the ball to. He'll make the jump into the top-ten this season.

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Schaub has to be pleased with his first regular season start as the Houston quarterback. He finally got away from being the backup at Atlanta and is in a position where he can show what he can do. He responded with an overall good performance completing 16 of 22 passes for 225 yards and one touchdown. He guided the Texans as they controlled the line of scrimmage and the time of possession. He did make one bad choice which cost him as it led to his only interception. He should compile good stats as he gains more confidence and as he gets more familiar with his teammates.

Week 2 - Schaub managed the offense very well in this game. He completed 71 percent of his passes, picking up 227 yards. He threw for two touchdowns, both of which were to Andre Johnson. His did not have any turnovers in the game but that was thanks to instant replay. He threw a bad pass that appeared to be intercepted at the Carolina five yard line. The play was reviewed and overturned. The drive continued and four plays later, Schaub hit Johnson for their second touchdown of the game.

Week 3 - Schaub was under pressure by the Colts defense all game. He was forced to move around in the pocket in order to find time to hit his receivers on deeper routes, or he would target his tight ends and backs on short routes. He only made one bad decision, throwing an ill advised pass into double coverage while in the red zone that was intercepted. He followed that interception with 13 straight completions to end the game.

Week 4 - Schaub played well and helped his depleted receiving corps by making accurate throws and giving them a chance to run after the catch with his ball placement. Schaub also demonstrated good mobility and athleticism in evading the pass rush and running with decent speed at times. Considering he was without some of his primary weapons at receiver and running back, Schaub showed he has the ability to make other players better with his accuracy and touch. He looked to be equally comfortable making shorter throws as well as deeper passes.

Week 5 - Schaub did not manage to throw for a score against Miami, but did enough to continue to get his team in scoring position and come through in the end for the victory. He completed 20 of 34 passes for 294 yards, and did throw an interception. He also had three rushes for six yards on the ground. Schaub showed the qualities you want in any quarterback, showing poise and leadership, especially on the game winning drive.

Week 6 - Schaub completed 19 of 31 for 259 yards, but failed to throw a touchdown pass. In the fourth quarter, while being sacked, he fumbled and the ball was returned 77 yards for a Jaguars touchdown. With the game out of hand he was pulled and replaced by Sage Rosenfels.

Week 7 - Schaub injured his ankle midway through the first quarter after a sack. He limped to the Texans locker room shortly after the play. It was reported as a left ankle sprain but, he did return to the game after getting the ankle taped. Schaub would get knocked out of the game again when DT Albert Haynesworth was penalized for a helmet-to-helmet hit and drove him into the turf. He would not return to the game after being knocked out a second time. Schaub and QB Sage Rosenfels had a bad first half as both combined for only 29 yards passing and they mustered only one first down in the first half.

Week 8 - Schaub was largely ineffective while in the game. He's been battling several injuries pretty much all season long, and now he gets one more to add to the list. After throwing his second interception of the game to CB Antonio Cromartie, Schaub turned to head back upfield to get into position to make a tackle. But before he could even turn all the way around, LB Stephen Cooper absolutely laid into Schaub's facemask, sending the QB hurtling towards the turf. Before he even hit the ground, you could see the pain on his face. And once he was down, he stayed down. Eventually, Schaub made his way to the sidelines but he looked extremely dazed and was clearly in no position to return. Sage Rosenfels took over at QB, but was unable to match the comeback theatrics of a week ago.

Week 9 - Matt Schaub did not play because of injury.

Week 11 - Schaub played with excellent poise, and looked very comfortable executing the Texan's offense. He did not appear rusty after missing games due to injury. Fifteen of his 33 passes were of the intermediate or longer variety, as he looked to gain as many yards as he could when he threw the ball. Schaub made most of his plays in the pocket, and did not appear very comfortable throwing on the rare occasions he was flushed from the pocket. The focus on the running game to preserve their lead kept his passing numbers from being even greater.

Week 12 - Schaub posted decent passing yardage but struggled for most of the day due to the fact that Andre Johnson was shut down by Browns DB Brandon McDonald. As a result, Schaub was forced to his second and third reads on the play, and while he did have time to make the reads, he was clearly rattled by the coverage on his biggest passing weapon. Of his two interceptions, one came on the Cleveland 37 yard line in the midst of a very effective drive. His second came on an under-thrown deep pass to Andre Johnson. Despite the interceptions, Schaub did have time to go through his progressions and find open receivers. He was only sacked twice, both on blown coverage assignments by the offensive line.

Week 15 - Schaub did not play due to a separated shoulder. He has not been ruled out for the rest of the season yet, but QB Sage Rosenfels has played well in his place.