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Here's where the Texans could begin with exciting offseason overhaul
Jan 26, 2024, 5:16 pm
The Texans have several key pieces to re-sign. Composite Getty Image.
The Texans are headed into the 2024 offseason in the best shape they've probably ever been in. I say that with my whole chest and all ten toes on the ground. This franchise has never been able to go into an offseason with this much cap space, decent draft capital, and several key franchise cornerstones in place for years to come. They're ahead of schedule to some, but right on time to their loyal fanbase.
The first place you look at in the offseason is inside your own house. The Texans have many key free agents I feel they need to bring back. It may shock you, but I feel kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn and punter Cameron Johnston are the two guys that need to be looked at first. Fairbairn has been one of the league's better kickers, especially recently. Johnston has been an underrated weapon all season long helping flip field position. Say what you want, but kickers and punters can help you win or lose games depending on how good they are at their jobs.
Most people will tell you Jonathan Greenard is the most important Texan to bring back. They wouldn't be wrong because everyone is entitled to their opinion. 12.5 sacks this past season at 27 years old heading into next season equals at least $20 million a year or more. That lines up with the franchise tag at his position. Derek Barnett, Sheldon Rankins, and Steven Nelson are other defenders I'd look to bring back, but not if they're looking for a huge raise.
On offense, Dalton Schultz and Devin Singletary are the guys I'd for sure look to re-sign. Schultz proved to be C.J. Stroud's security blanket. He was the second leading pass catcher. Tank Dell's injury had something to do with that, but Schultz often came up big when Stroud needed him most. Singletary took over the bulk of the carries at RB. He's a better fit than Dameon Pierce in this offense. Both are worth bringing back, but it depends on the type of contract they'd want.
When looking at outside free agents, I'm not looking at specific guys this early on in the process. I like to look at the guys the team can keep that worked in their system first. This early on in the process with outside guys, I prefer to keep it to position groups. So many people have said WR is one of the areas this team needs to look. Maybe, but not the tier of guys they've been talking about. Nico Collins has made a major move and is considered this team's WR1. Him paired with a healthy Dell gives the Texans a formidable 1-2 punch. Bringing in a solid vet to be their third wheel is more likely than spending big on a top tier guy.
RB is a position I might look at spending some money on. If so, it has to be a guy who can fit this system. Spending money wisely on this group this offseason is key because you can always draft a guy in the mid-rounds and save money. OL is another area I'd like to see some money spent on this offseason. Stroud was sacked way too much and missed two games due to concussions. Sure, they re-signed three of their starters last offseason, but it needs to be improved. Pass rush may be an area to look into as well. If Greenard and/or Barnett and/or Rankins aren't brought back, they should look to sign another vet or two on the cheap to help fill in along the defensive line.
Linebacker, corner, and safety are the other areas I'd look to improve as well. The more guys that can cover, run, and tackle on all levels is always a plus. This offense can put up points as it improves, but if this defense gets more fierce, it'll take pressure off the offense. Given the fact that DeMeco Ryans is a defensive-minded coach, and he's known for developing guys, making sure the defense has pieces he can cook with is important. Throw in some more parts for Stroud and the offense, and this team becomes pretty scary.
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When DeMeco Ryans became coach of the Houston Texans before last season, the two-time Pro Bowl linebacker brought his swarm defense with him.
It’s an identity the Texans have embraced as they prepare for their second straight trip to the divisional round of the playoffs Saturday where they’ll face the Kansas City Chiefs.
“You really can’t go out there if you’re not about it,” Ryans said.
And while every member of the defense has bought into Ryans’ aggressive style, there is one player who epitomizes it like no one else.
“Will every time,” cornerback Derek Stingley said of defensive end Will Anderson Jr.
Anderson, last year’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, has taken his game to another level this season and had 1½ sacks last week after piling up 11 in the regular season.
He described what playing swarm defense means to him.
“Do whatever it takes to get the ball, attacking the ball,” Anderson said. “We’ve got this saying in our D-line room; ‘who gonna pop it off?’ Whoever pops it off first, that’s swarming. Like who’s gonna make the big play? And I feel like there’s a lot of guys on defense that pop it off, who swarm.”
The Texans intercepted Justin Herbert a career-high four times, including one which was returned for a score, in last week’s win over the Chargers after he had been picked off just three times all season. Houston’s four takeaways in the first week of the playoffs are tied with Philadelphia for most in the NFL.
That performance came after Houston ranked fifth in the league in the regular season by forcing 29 turnovers.
Stingley, who had two of the interceptions last week a day after earning AP All-Pro honors, shared his mindset on the team’s defensive mentality.
“It really just comes down to if I was to tell you this is the last time you’re gonna do something, how you gonna do it,” Stingley said. “It’s simple as that. Just do that every single play.”
Ryans said there’s really no secret to why his team has such a knack for forcing turnovers. He believes it’s because he has good players, and they emphasize it in practice which translates to games.
“That’s our main thing that we go into every week is talking about attacking the football, taking the football,” Ryans said. “Because we know, when you take the football away, it just raises your percentages of winning the football games… it’s the defense helping the team win the game.”
While all of Houston’s takeaways last week came on interceptions, Stingley was quick to point out that those picks wouldn’t have happened if not for the pressure the defensive line put on Herbert. The Texans sacked him four times and hit him another nine in the 32-12 victory.
“The defense starts with them up front,” Stingley said. “They’re doing their job and it just makes it easier for us on the back end.”
Anderson said with each turnover, the defense got more and more amped up and was pushing each other to see who the next player would be to force one.
“That’s just that swarm mentality and we just feeding off each other,” Anderson said. “This person can’t do it by themselves so who is gonna be next and that just generates that contagious energy.”
The Texans were the fifth team since 1963 to have at least four sacks, four interceptions and an interception return for a touchdown in a playoff game last week. The past three teams to do it all went on to win the Super Bowl, with Tampa Bay doing so in the 2002 season, Baltimore in 2000 and San Francisco in 1989.
This Texans team would love to keep that going. But first they’ll need a win Saturday to put them in the AFC championship game for the first time after losing their previous five divisional matchups.
“That’s what you come here for,” Anderson said. “That’s what they’ve been rebuilding for is moments like this… we’ve got all the right pieces, we’ve just got to go out there and make it happen.”