The Houston Texans have come a long way in two years. At the end of 2022, they won a game that incidentally locked them in at the second pick, instead of the first which they would have had with a loss. With that pick, instead of presumedly taking Bryce Young with the first, they landed CJ Stroud from Ohio State with the second pick. Stroud burst onto the scene in 2023 with one of the finest rookie QB seasons we have ever seen. Stroud helped lead the Texans from the second pick to the second round in 18 short games, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year along the way. In that same draft, the Texans jumped back up into the top five to select edge rusher Will Anderson from Alabama. Anderson was a force on the Texans front seven and helped the Texans sweep the two ROTY awards, winning on the defensive side of the ball.

Yet another massive rookie contribution came from Tank Dell, a third round Wideout from Houston. Dell tore his ACL in December, but prior to that was one of the league’s most dynamic young Wideouts. Next to Dell is Nico Collins, who had a massive breakout in year three. Collins amassed nearly 1,300 yards and 8 TDs with his rookie QB. Now, adding to the WR room is newly acquired veteran Stefon Diggs. Diggs, while showing signs of slowing down a bit last season in Buffalo, is still a weapon to be utilized, especially in Bobby Slowik’s offense. Houston also brings in veteran Running Back Joe Mixon from Cincy to bolster their run game.

On defense, the Texans now form a menacing pass rush duo after signing Danielle Hunter, who has dominated in Minnesota. At Linebacker is Christian Harris, a third year man from Alabama who is blossoming into one of the league’s top Mike backers. In the secondary, continuing the common theme of youth in Demeco Ryans’ defense, are Jalen Pitre and Derek Stingley in the secondary.

Houston has already far exceeded their original timeline of contention. After the draft, with a new Head Coach and promising first and second year players, the plan was likely to develop these guys for two years or so. Instead, the Texans come off the heels of a Divisional loss at Baltimore and are hungry for at the least an AFC Championship appearance, and ideally a Super Bowl win. In recent memory, Joe Burrow made the Super Bowl as a second year signal caller. Prior to Burrow, only Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick, Ben Roethlisberger, Dan Marino and the great Tom Brady have achieved the feat. Stroud hopes to join that illustrious list with a good defense, an elite set of weapons, and sky-high expectations.

Schedule

@ Colts- W

Vs Bears- L

@ Vikings- W

Vs Jaguars- W

vs Bills- W

@ Patriots- W

@ Packers- L

Vs Colts- W

@ Jets- W

Vs Lions- L

@ Cowboys- W

Vs Titans- W

@ Jaguars- W

Vs Dolphins- W

@ Chiefs- L

Vs Ravens- W

@ Titans- L

Final Record: 12-5 (1st in AFC South)

Key Additions

EDGE Danielle Hunter, DE Denico Autry, WR Stefon Diggs, RB Joe Mixon, CB Kamari Lassiter

2023 Metrics

Offense

14th DVOA

13th PFF Grade

13th EPA/Play

13th Points

12th Passing EPA

25th Rushing EPA

10th Pass Block Win Rate

25th Run Block Win Rate

Defense

16th DVOA

7th PFF Grade

11th EPA/Play

11th Points

16th Passing EPA

9th Rushing EPA

3rd Pass Rush Win Rate

2nd Run Stop Win Rate