FLIP THE SCRIPT
Here's what the Houston Texans are looking at if they swerve everyone on draft day
Feb 8, 2023, 9:31 am
Could the Texans pass on QB? Composite image by Jack Brame.
The Houston Texans know it will have the second overall draft pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Despite that, the team is not so sure about who will be available to take with that selection.
One team that could shake things up in the draft is the AFC South rival Indianapolis Colts. Currently holding the No. 4 overall pick, the Colts are in desperate need for its next signal caller after years of trying to find Andrew Luck’s replacement.
If the Colts were to trade up to No. 1 with the Chicago Bears and take whoever was the Texans’ No. 1 player at quarterback, who should Houston take instead?
With the hiring of DeMeco Ryans a week ago, it is no doubt the Texans are going to be looking at numerous players on the defensive side of the ball who can make plays and be building blocks for Ryans’ swarm vision. But who are some of the players on that side of the ball that are viable options for the Texans to take at two or elsewhere if they choose to trade down?
Will Anderson Jr. – Alabama
The Texans were only 19th in the NFL when it came to sacks in the 2022 season, and they were dead last when it came to rushing yards allowed to opponents, giving up over 170 yards on the ground per game.
Will Anderson Jr. is a player that instantly would fill a need on the team if he was selected at No. 2. The 6-foot-4-inch linebacker at Alabama became a tackle-for-loss king for the Crimson Tide during his three years there.
Playing in 41 games for Alabama in his three-year stint, Anderson racked up 62 tackles for loss and an outstanding 34.5 sacks. In 2021, he was a monster who put up 34.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks alone in that season.
Ever since losing J.J. Watt after the 2020 season, the Texans have not had the identity nor the player with an ability to be a game wrecker for opposing teams. Anderson’s versatility on defense seems like a perfect fit for a Ryans' team because he is a player that can be relentless, make plays, and be adaptable.
Tyree Wilson – Texas Tech
Similar to Anderson, Tyree Wilson put together a strong résumé during his time at Texas Tech. What is most exciting about him is that every season with the Red Raiders he showed growth, which is mirrored by his numbers.
In 2020 after transferring from Texas A&M, he only had 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in nine games. That number jumped to 13.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2021 as he appeared in 13 games for Texas Tech. Lastly, in 2022, Wilson’s numbers once again jumped even though he only played in 10 games. He garnered 14 tackles for loss and still got seven sacks in less games.
Standing at 6 feet and 6 inches, Wilson has plenty of room left for growth. One of Wilson’s best games this season came against then 16th-ranked North Carolina State, when he got 11 tackles and two sacks against the Wolfpack.
Jalen Carter – Georgia
Jalen Carter will be a big addition upfront to whichever team he is drafted to. The 6-foot-3-inch defensive lineman was a key piece in Georgia’s back-to-back national championship-winning seasons.
When it comes to the Texans’ rushing defense struggles, taking an interior lineman would be addressing a need.
For Houston, taking Carter could be a game changer. The Bulldog was known for his ability to bulldoze into the backfield of opposing teams at Georgia. He accumulated 18.5 tackles for loss and six sacks from his interior position with the Bulldogs.
It is worth noting the Texans have interior lineman Roy Lopez on the roster, who has been a decent piece on the otherwise struggling Houston defensive line.
The bottom line, if Houston cannot take or chooses not to take a quarterback with the second overall pick, there are plenty of defensive choices on the board that could be nice additions to the Texans’ defense.
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NFL insiders hint at eye-opening future for Houston Texans offense
Dec 7, 2024, 2:38 pm
C.J. Stroud faced criticism in Houston's last few games as the Texans hit a rough patch after losing just two of their first eight games.
But the second-year quarterback remained confident and his strong performance last Sunday helped the Texans (8-5) to a 23-20 win over the Jaguars to enter their bye with a two-game lead atop the AFC South.
“When he is leading and playing the way he is playing, our entire team feeds off of him,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I am excited for his second year. I think he is showing a ton of growth, he is in a really great spot for us physically, mentally. I really love where he is and I am excited to see how he comes back after the break.”
Stroud threw for 242 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville to leave him ranked fourth in the NFL with 3,117 yards passing this season. That game came after he threw two interceptions in a 32-27 loss to Tennessee a week before for the team’s third loss in four games.
Those two interceptions brought his season total to nine, which are four more than he threw in 15 games a rookie. But the Texans aren’t worried about that statistic and believe he has grown in his second year.
“He’s made a lot of progress,” general manager Nick Caserio said. “There are some plays, like all of our players, that we probably wish he could have back, but happy he’s our quarterback, happy with what he brings to the table. ... Wouldn’t want anyone else leading this team.”
The Texans are in position to win their division for a second straight season despite dealing with several significant injuries on offense. Running back Joe Mixon missed three games early with an ankle injury and leading receiver Nico Collins was sidelined for five games with a hamstring injury.
They also lost four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs for the season when tore an ACL in Week 8.
Mixon leads the team with 887 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns and has added four touchdown receptions. His work in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati has helped the team deal with those significant injuries to the receiving corps.
Mixon ranks third in the NFL by averaging 88.7 yards rushing a game and has had at least 100 yards rushing in seven games.
Stroud has continually raved about Mixon’s contributions on and off the field.
“He’s a servant, a helper,” Stroud said. “That’s ultimately what I want to be as well. Who can I serve and how can I help? That’s ultimately what the game of football is.”
While Mixon has been the team’s most important new acquisition on offense, Danielle Hunter has been Houston’s new defensive star. The defensive end spent his first eight seasons in Minnesota before joining the Texans this year.
He has helped Houston lead the NFL with 84 tackles for loss after piling up 15 this season, which is tied for third most in the league. He also leads the Texans with 10½ sacks to help them rank second with 42.
Hunter been a great addition to a team that already had defensive end Will Anderson Jr., last year’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Anderson ranks second to Hunter on the team with 13 tackles for loss and 9½ sacks.
Ryans said this week’s break is much needed for a team that opened the preseason on Aug. 1 in the Hall of Fame game.
“It’s here and we’re going to take advantage of it,” he said. “We’ve been going at it for a long time.”
The Texans need to recharge this week with a brutal stretch of three games in 10 days when they return from their bye. Houston hosts Miami on Dec. 15 before a trip to Kansas City on Dec. 21 and a visit from the Ravens on Christmas Day.
“It’s Christmas and all that, but we can’t worry about that. All we can do is focus on Miami,” Caserio said. “And then when we get through the Miami game, then we kind of turn the page to the next. ... We’re either going to earn it or we’re not. Not to oversimplify it, but that’s the truth.”
The Texans will play those game without starting linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after he received a three-game suspension for his violent hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion.
Al-Shaair will be eligible to return for Houston’s regular-season finale against Tennessee.