To prepare for an NFL season, it starts with an audit: what are the strengths and weaknesses of the workforce? Then, how to strengthen via the market and the draft. The editorial staff of DNA of Sports invites you to take stock of the off-season of the 32 franchises.
DeMeco Ryans enter the arena in Houston. Chosen with the first choice of the second round of the 2006 draft, this former linebacker then proved himself as a coach with the defense of San Francisco. He arrives to straighten out a franchise that is close to his heart: selected in 33rd position in 2006, he played six seasons in Houston before going to Philadelphia.
The owners
- Laremy Tunsil, OT
- Jerry Hughes, DE
- Christian Kirksey, LB
Tunsil, Kirksey and Hughes. The evocation of their names does not raise the crowds. This being a first indication of the state of this franchise: how far away the time of JJ Watt and other DeAndre Hopkins seems! They are, however, three quality players. Laremy Tunsil justifies on the field to have the best contract of the team: 100% of offensive snaps 2022 and only one conceded sack!
Although he will be 34 at the start of the 2023 season, Jerry Hughes is still performing well. Smart and still athletic enough, he’s the kind of on-field relay a defensive-minded coach needs. Knowing how to do everything and especially cover, linebacker Christian Kirksey has everything to please the new coach: DeMeco Ryans and his almost 1000 tackles in 10 NFL seasons.
Undesirables
- Brandin Cooks, WR
- Mario Addison, DE
- AJ Cann, OG
Is Brandin Cooks unwanted in Texas? He is unquestionably the best receiver on the team. And his $42 million in money still owed (dead money) make it unlikely that Houston will want to part with it. Yes, but the player has already expressed his desire to be elsewhere. The Cooks file will animate the offseason of the Texans.
Mario Addison’s contract could be interrupted: 35 years, 1 sack in 12 gamess 2022 and $2.3 million in savings if cut. At 31, guard AJ Cann is an average player: moderately effective for the ground game and to protect his QB. The draft could make it possible to find better while saving $4M.
Man of the Summer: Dameon Pierce, RB
For his rookie season, Dameon Pierce almost reached the 1000 yard mark (939). His ankle injury having caused him to miss the last four games of 2023. With a lot of uncertainty at the quarterback position, his presence to advance the chains will be fundamental in 2023.
DeMeco Ryans will likely take inspiration from what he experienced with the 49ers and their very balanced offense: 512 assists for 504 carries in 2022.
The main players at the end of the contract
- Jonathan Owens, S.
- MJ Stewart, DB and ST
- Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DE
Jonathan Owens signed 125 tackles in 2022! Alongside inexperienced players (Stingley, Pitre), he is a reassuring presence and something to keep. MJ Stewart, too, is unknown to the general public but not to Texans fans. He brings in defense (41 tackles) and above all he is a major player in the special team.
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, after three unremarkable seasons with the Rams, played his best football in 2022: 44 tackles and 11 QB hits (5 sacks). DeMeco Ryans has taken advantage of an excellent defensive line in San Francisco and Okoronkwo can provide him with a quality rotation in Houston.
There will be choices to be made with no less than 22 players at the end of the contract! But none of the best.
The top 3 needs
- quarterback
- run-stop
- aerial targets
The question of the quarterback is essential. At the end of the contract with San Francisco, Jimmy Garoppolo is an option: he can allow a more serene start to reconstruction than with a beginner. In addition, coach and manager know him and know what he can bring. Recruiting a young QB in the 2023 draft, however, seems the most likely option.
Unable to stop their opponents on the ground (170 yards/game, last NFL), the Texans play in the same division as Derrick Henry (Titans), Travis Etienne (Jaguars) and Jonathan Taylor (Colts)! The Roy Lopez-Maliek Collins pair is complementary but the position of defensive tackle must be improved. Ditto for the position of linebacker: Azzez Al-Shaair is out of contract with the 49ers and he could join his former coordinator with his knowledge of the defensive system.
Houston is counting on the expertise of the new coach: San Francisco was ranked 2nd in 2022 to stop the race!
If Brandin Cooks were to leave, the weapons available to the QB would be limited. Certainly John Metchie will be able to play in 2023 and the young Nico Collins is a correct WR3. But this squad would lack a true leader. Even with the return of Cooks, this area would have to be improved so that the next quarterback can speak.
Target: Da’Ron Payne, DT
Da’Ron Payne justified his selection from the 13th choice of the 2018 draft: 291 tackles including 26 sacks in 5 seasons. 81 matches played out of 82 possible! His 2022 season at 11.5 sacks was a welcome final year of his rookie contract.
To rebuild, the Texans have a lot of payroll available: enough to offer more and thus attract impact players. Given the weakness on their defensive line, the Texans must invest and Da’Ron Payne could be seduced: by a coach with a defensive mentality and also by a big check.
New Blood: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
The Texans have three choices in the first 35 in 2023. Enough to obtain a formidable pass rusher Will Anderson (Alabama) with choice 2. Enough to also be able to acquire #1 with the Chicago Bears. Because they lost the first pick privilege on the final day of the regular season, the Texans can still get that pick back.
Bryce Young is an accurate quarterback and his profile as a pitcher is reassuring. Trained in Alabama, coach Ryans still has his entrances there: enough to obtain all the necessary information before committing to the future of the franchise.
No Davis Mills does not demerit but 33 touchdowns launched in two seasons are not enough to ignite the fan base. Especially by adding 25 interceptions! Under contract, he will be there in 2023 but probably with competition.
