How Houston Texans offense can level up using Mixon's unique skill set, offensive continuity
THE ARROW IS POINTING UP
14 March 2024
THE ARROW IS POINTING UP
After the Houston Texans missed out on signing one of the top running backs in free agency on Monday, GM Nick Caserio got to work and made a trade for Bengals running back Joe Mixon. And all the Texans had to give up was a 7th round pick.
Mixon will play this year at 28-years old after spending 7 seasons with the Bengals. Mixon rushed for 1,034 yards in 2023, with 9 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 52 passes for 376 yards and 3 TDs last year.
Mixon has rushed for over 1,000 yards four times in his career.
After losing Devin Singletary to the Giants on Monday, the Texans knew they add to add another running back to the roster. Mixon will now join Dameon Pierce in Houston's backfield.
Many believed the Texans would make a big splash by signing Saquon Barkley or Josh Jacobs in free agency. But both backs agreed to huge deals on Monday. Jacobs signed a 4-year, $48 million deal with the Packers, and Barkley agreed to a 3-year, $37,750 million contract with the Eagles.
Instead, the Texans will pay Mixon, who is in the final year of his contract, $5.75 million in 2024.
What does he bring to the table?
Not only will Mixon improve the ground game, but he's also a great target out of the backfield. The graphic below indicates how Mixon will give the Texans a boost in the passing game.
Joe Mixon gained 376 receiving yards in 2023, including +131 receiving yards over expected, 4th-most among running backs.
Texans running backs gained +28 YAC over expected last season, 4th-fewest in the NFL.#WeAreTexans https://t.co/VtbqJ741eB pic.twitter.com/9lmR51MkUY
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 12, 2024
Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss all the ways Mixon can help improve the Texans running game. Especially when CJ Stroud is under center and handing the ball off. That's when Mixon really excels. He's at his best when he's running right at the defense. Only three other teams run the ball from under center more than the Texans. So this trade makes a ton of sense on many levels.
Plus, we discuss how CJ Stroud will have all his top weapons back this season, with the team re-signing receiver Noah Brown and tight end Dalton Schultz.
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.