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No one thought the Texans would be this good this quick. Last season, DeMeco Ryans came in and instilled a refreshed, physical culture that this group of young guys and vets have embraced with open arms. Houston went from worst to first in the AFC South in 2023, and look to have a chokehold on the division for years to come.
Does this roster have what it takes to make a Super Bowl run? Let's see if my 6th-ranked team added enough firepower to get further than the Divisional Round in 2024.
Photo: Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports
Strengths
Top Receiving Trio
Loaded Secondary
Strong Edge Group
CJ Stroud has some strong receiving options at his disposal. Nico Collins is quickly becoming one of the best WR1s in the league, Tank Dell exploded onto the scene in his rookie year, and Stefon Diggs has shown he can take over a game at any given moment throughout his entire career. For those that are concerned about Stefon's ability to produce at this point in his career, he won't be playing the WR1 role on this team - that is firmly Nico's. In fact, I doubt Stefon Diggs will play the majority of two WR sets, especially late in the season; Tank Dell will hold that role, and will move into the slot when Stefon is on the field.
This secondary has some great talent at every level. Derek Stingley Jr has rebounded into greatness after battling injuries his rookie year, Jalen Pitre had a strong sophomore season, Desmond King II is still a feisty slot corner, and veterans Jeff Okudah, Jimmie Ward, Myles Bryant, and CJ Henderson are serviceable enough to hold their own. Add in rookies Kamari Lassiter and Calen Bullock, they could rotate their DB groups constantly and still be successful.
The Texans have been a wheelhouse for developing good edge talent. In 2023, Ogbo Okoronkwo was a big name in free agency, a year later, Jonathan Greenard was a hot commodity in the edge pool. Now, they bring in wily veterans Danielle Hunter and Jerry Hughes, and drafted technician Solomon Byrd as a developmental piece. Derek Barnett was a strong addition after the Eagles dropped him in 2023, as he posted an 80+ defensive grade in 5 of his 6 games with the Texans, and put up a 90.5 mark through that time. The pinnacle of this group is Will Anderson Jr, who was a freight train as a rookie - and will be a cornerstone of this defense and franchise for years to come.
Weaknesses
Interior Offensive Line
Interior Defensive Line
Linebacker Core
I have major concerns with this interior OL group. Shaq Mason is still solid as a starter, but he's going into his 10th season and has been declining the past two years. Kenyon Green has battled injuries throughout his young career, and missed his entire sophomore season as a result. Juice Scruggs was subpar as a rookie, as the center gave up a pressure every 21 snaps. As for the backups, they've played a combined 738 snaps over the past two seasons, which averages out to 123 snaps per player each year. This group is shallow and the starters aren't good enough to take on the upper-tier of interior rushers.
Much like the OL, the interior of this DL is nothing to write home about either. Mario Edwards Jr has been decent, but hasn't played a full season at any point in his career. He played 597 snaps his rookie season, which is his highest mark in his eight years as a pro. Folorunso Fatukasi has battled multiple injuries over the past three years after looking like the next great interior defender following his 3rd season. Khalil Davis and Tim Settle Jr are nothing more than depth pieces, as they both average about 220 snaps a season. Marcus Harris could be a sneaky late round addition to this group.
After losing Blake Cashman and Denzel Perryman to injury, this LB unit will look much different in 2024. Azeez Al-Shaair was added via free agency, and he has familiarity in DeMeco's system from his days in San Fran. Christian Harris is nothing more than a coverage LB at this point in his career, making it hard to rely on him as a starter. Henry To'oTo'o had his fair share of lumps and bruises as a rookie, as he posted a sub-60 defensive grade in 8 of his 12 games, with 5 of those marks being sub-40. If anyone can get the most out of this group, it's DeMeco.
Key Additions
Stefon Diggs - Wide Receiver
Danielle Hunter - Edge Defender
Blake Fisher - Offensive Lineman
Stefon Diggs will be awesome in the WR2/3 role within this offense. He can still stretch the offense and run any route in the book, and he'll be going against CB2s consistently for the first time since his rookie year. Nico Collins and Tank Dell will command the majority of attention wherever they line up, and if Stefon is on an island, you bet the ball is going to him.
Jonathan Greenard is a good edge, but Danielle is a clear upgrade, even though he'll turn 30 this season. He's still an effective pass rusher, as he's posted a 13.03% pressure rate, while adding 25 sacks + QB hits. He also forced 4 fumbles and posted 50 stops + TFLs, both career highs. He does a great job keeping QBs in the pocket as well, which is something this defense failed to do consistently last year.
Blake was a great pick for multiple reasons. He could play tackle or guard given his size and athletic profile, and with the interior OL concerns, he could plug and play wherever. Tytus Howard could also play inside if needed, but his strength is playing right tackle. To be fair, we've only seen him play 3 snaps at right guard, which I find odd given that's his natural side of the ball. If Blake can showcase his strengths as a pass blocker, and improve as a run blocker throughout his rookie year, he could be a staple piece on this OL for the next several years.
Dark Horse
Marcus Harris - Interior Defensive Lineman
With the lack of talent along the interior DL, Marcus has a chance to make a name for himself. I thought he was the better of the two primary DTs coming out of Auburn, and he can solidify some decent playing time as a non-nose option. He doesn't have the size or strength to play inside the guards, but he has a solid foundation with his hand work and explosive get off. He could be used in pass rush situations early on, and as he improves his run defending, he'll be trusted more on early downs as well. I doubt he'll start his rookie season, but he'll be a much needed rotational piece for this interior unit.
Photo: Zach Tarrant/Houston Texans
Record
11-6
The Texans have some gimme games early in their schedule, as they have heavily favored matchups against the Vikings and Patriots, and they should win their contests against the Bears and Jaguars at home. Outside of their divisional battles against the Titans, their slate doesn't get any easier. They'll play the Bills, Packers, Jets, Lions, Dolphins, Chiefs, and Ravens throughout their season, and they'll see three of those opponents in the last four games heading into playoffs. They'll take on the Cowboys as well, and that should be a win there too. If they win their favored games and take home four of their six divisional matchups, this team will grind it's way to an 11+ win season.
Final Notes
After looking like they'd be a bottom feeder until CJ Stroud developed, this team is now one of the most menacing in the league. If this OL can piece it together this year, and this offense is as damaging as I think it will be, then the Texans may end up cracking the top 5 by the end of the season.
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