The season is approaching. The DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, we're heading to the Houston Texans, who pleasantly surprised in 2023. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
In 2023, the Texans began a new cycle with coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback CJ Stroud. The start went better than expected. But they are now expected to turn a corner by the other franchises.
Leaders have been active in shifting gears. Will this be enough?
Last season: 10 wins for 7 losses. Winners in the 1st round of the playoffs then lost in the 2nd round.
Off-season moves
Notable Arrivals: Stefon Diggs (WR), Danielle Hunter (DE), Joe Mixon (RB), Denico Autry (DT), Azeez Al-Shair (LB), Jeff Okudah (CB), Foley Fatukasi (DT), Tommy Townsend ( P)
Re-signings: Ka'imi Fairbairn (K), Jimmie Ward (S), Desmond King (CB), Derek Barnett (DE)
Draft: Kamari Lassiter (CB), Blake Fisher (OT), Callen Bullock (S), Cade Stover (TE), Jamar Hill (LB), Jawhar Jordan (RB), Solomon Byrd (DE), Marcus Harris (DT), LaDarius Henderson (OL).
Notable departures: Jonathan Greenard (DE), Devin Singletary (RB), Maliek Collins (DT), Sheldon Rankins (DT), Blake Cashman (LB), Denzel Perryman (LB), Steven Nelson (CB)
Already strong with talented cores in attack and defense, Houston decides to surround its young nuggets with a 5-star recruitment: Danielle Hunter, Stefon Diggs, Azeez Al-Shair, Joe Mixon and Denico Autry all bring a level of play experienced in NFL games.
Deprived of a first-round pick after a trade with Minnesota, the 2024 draft was mainly used to bring rotation. Tackles Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard are prone to injuries, which explains the recruitment of Blake Fisher at pick 59. Just before him (pick 42), cornerback Kamari Lassiter was well trained at Georgia and could establish himself this season.
Note that tight end Cade Stover (4th round pick) scored five touchdowns in 2022 while catching passes from CJ Stroud in college. Without him in 2023, he scored five more touchdowns without releasing a ball on 41 receptions. Recruited as a linebacker by Ohio State, he played his last two seasons there as a tight end: his past as a defender makes him a very willing blocker in contact.
The Houston Texans' All-Star Team
Quarterback: CJ Stroud Runner: Joe Mixon Receivers: Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, Tank Dell Tight end: Dalton Schultz Offensive line: Laremy Tunsil, Kenyon Green, Frederik Scruggs, Shaq Mason, Tytus Howard Kicker: Ka'imi Fairbairn
Defensive Line: Danielle Hunter, Foley Fatukasi, Denico Autry, Will Anderson Linebackers: Christian Harris, Azeez Al-Shair Cornerbacks: Derek Stingley, Kamari Lassiter, Desmond King (NB) Safeties: Jalen Pitre, Jimmie Ward Punter: Tommy Townsend
Houston Texans Highlights
With a starting quarterback in 2023, the Texans' offense was ranked 7th in the country in passing. In 2024, CJ Stroud will also be able to rely on the expertise of Stefon Diggs, who is on a streak of six consecutive seasons with over 1,000 yards.
Receiver Nico Collins has shown enough quality to earn a contract extension, while rookie Tank Dell provided plenty of explosiveness before his injury. The trio is talented and seems to complement each other.
With the addition of tight ends Dalton Schultz, Brevin Jordan and Cade Stover and receivers Noah Brown and John Metchie: rarely has a young quarterback been put in such good conditions.
This defense was extremely tough to run against in 2023: 2nd best NFL defense in yards allowed per carry. This year's defense could be even better with the offseason additions.
DeMeco Ryans' preferred scheme is a 4-2-5. He rarely uses blitzing (additional player reinforcements), so the Texans signed two players who bring a lot of quality to his four man rush on the defensive line: Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry have 28 sacks between them in 2023! Unfortunately, Denico Autry is suspended for the first six games of 2024 for illicit use of certain products.
A former NFL linebacker himself, DeMeco Ryans can rely on his expertise on one of the best squads in the league. Knowing the schemes of a coach he knew in San Francisco, Azeez Al-Shair (163 tackles in 2023) will be assisted by the talented Christian Harris (101 tackles and 7 passes defended) and Henry To'o To'o.
The Houston Texans' Weaknesses
The losses of Maliek Collins (49ers) and Sheldon Rankins (Bengals) hurt. Folorunsi Fatukasi is not of the same ilk. Mario Edwards, Kurt Hinish, Marcus Harris and Khalil Davis offer a rotation more in quantity than in quality.
The presence of Danielle Hunter opposite future superstar Will Anderson will help the coverage. This added pressure takes opposing quarterbacks out of their comfort zone, as they completed 68.25% of their passes in 2023 (30th in the NFL). Opposing receivers will have less time to attack the depth: in 2023, only the Commanders' poor defense allowed more very big aerial plays (50 yards) than Houston's!
Expert in defending the run, the other side of the ball seems to operate in mirror image: only 28th in rushing yards and 29th in yards per carry. Smart, manager Nick Caserio therefore recruited the experienced Joe Mixon to overcome this problem. Arrived from Minnesota, Cam Akers could be a complement that the young Dameon Pierce struggles to become. For CJ Stroud to work his magic, he needs opposing defenses to consider the running game.
X-Factor: The Offensive Line
Despite his propensity to push his attack back because he is often penalized for “false starts”, tackle Laremy Tunsil is one of the three best in the league on the left side.
Decimated by multiple injuries last year, the “top five” was able to develop few automatisms. More than individual quality, cohesion is the fundamental element of a good offensive line.
Selected 15th overall in the 2022 draft, Kenyon Green had a difficult rookie season. Injured in 2023, he was unable to recover. Impressive in his power and mobility at Texas A&M, he is the definition of the X-factor: if he plays at the level his potential allows him to, then the entire offensive line would improve.
On the right side, guard Shaq Mason is solid. But tackle Tytus Howard was mediocre through seven 2023 games before an injury cut his season short. The Texans took out an insurance policy by using the No. 59 pick on Blake Fisher.
At center, Jarrett Patterson showed quality and his competition with Frederik Juice Scruggs allows for emulation. Without being able to be classified as a weak point, the offensive line does not reassure in every way. The progression, or not, of the young players will impact the success of this attack.
Player to watch: Derek Stingley (CB)
After a complicated rookie season on the field and disrupted by an injury, Derek Stingley began to show his talent in 2023. In 2024, his work in coverage will be made easier by opposing quarterbacks quickly put under pressure by Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson.
Correspondingly, his coverage skills make it harder for quarterbacks to throw to an open receiver, giving more time for the frontcourt players to hit the opposing thrower. Will Anderson told Click2Houston:
“Having a player like him behind us gives us a lot more time to hunt!”
Intelligent and possessing superior athleticism, Derek Stingley has just turned 23! After 5 interceptions in only 11 games last year, it is possible that this total will decrease in 2024: because quarterbacks will avoid throwing to the player he is covering as much as possible. Thus annihilating the opponent's best receiver.
Houston Texans 2024 Schedule
@Colts, Bears, @Vikings, Jaguars, Bills, @Patriots, @Packers, Colts, @Jets, Lions, @Cowboys, Titans, @Jaguars, BYE, Dolphins, @Chiefs, Ravens, @Titans
The AFC South isn't the least competitive of the eight in the NFL. The Jaguars have improved their defensive line and quarterback Trevor Lawrence has the potential to be named most improved player (player who has progressed the most).
The Colts are not to be underestimated while the Titans have several top players: DeAndre Hopkins (WR), Calvin Ridley (WR) and Tony Pollard (RB) on offense. Jeffery Simmons (DT), Harold Landry (Edge) and L'Jarius Sneed (CB) on defense.
The Texans also face a lot of title contenders: Jets, Bills, Cowboys, Lions, Chiefs and Ravens!
The audio preview
In summary
The Texans' roster is loaded with young talent: CJ Stroud (QB), Derek Stingley (CB), Will Anderson (Edge), Jalen Pitre (S) and Nico Collins (WR). It has also been strengthened with established players: Danielle Hunter, Stefon Diggs, Joe Mixon, Denico Autry and Azeez Al-Shair.
Even if the regular season wasn't brilliant, meeting them in the playoffs will give all opposing fans the sweats. But beware, now feared, opposing coaches will be more meticulous than ever before playing them!
