Unpopular opinion: Why CJ Stroud’s weapons should take a backseat for Texans
SHOW US THE LIE
08 February 2024
After the conclusion of the season, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans spoke about the top priorities for the offseason. One of the areas he highlighted was beefing up the defensive line.
However, after CJ Stroud's performance at the Pro Bowl throwing to top tier receivers, many would like the Texans to load up on weapons for Stroud to get the offense humming at the highest level.
What's interesting about this year's draft is Mel Kiper Jr. considers it a very offensive-heavy draft. His Top 9 prospects in the draft are on the offensive side of the ball.
So one could argue that the Texans could get a good value selecting defense at No. 23 overall, with so many offensive players flying off the board early.
Another thing to keep in mind is how the elite teams are winning now. The Chiefs, 49ers, Ravens, and Bills all have Top 5 defenses. While the Texans are much improved on defense, they're not in the Top 10.
The roster construction says defense is the priority
One could argue that the Texans could play a game today if they had to, based on who's under contract on offense. Stroud, Tank Dell, Nico Collins, John Metchie, Robert Woods, Dameon Pierce, and the entire o-line are still under contract. Only Dalton Schultz is set to be a free agent.
But on defense they have to replace or re-sign Jonathan Greenard, Sheldon Rankins, Blake Cashman, Denzel Perryman, Jimmy Ward (injured, old), and every cornerback on the team outside Derek Stingley.
When you put it like that, prioritizing a receiver or offensive lineman feels like a luxury pick/signing. They'll certainly have to add more running backs to the roster with only Pierce remaining, but that shouldn't be a position where they invest a lot of capital based on the needs of the defense.
Be sure to watch the videos above for the full conversation.
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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.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
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.
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