How Houston Texans' defense now measures up to other NFL powerhouses
BEST OF THE BEST
14 March
The already stout Texans' defense just got better! Composite Getty Image.
The Houston Texans have been aggressive this offseason, making key moves to solidify their defense and reshape their offensive line. Head coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio clearly have a vision for a tougher, more disciplined team in 2025.
A defense no one wants to face
The Texans' defense is shaping up to be one of the most formidable units in the NFL. Adding safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was a home run move, as he brings versatility and playmaking ability to the secondary. Houston swapped out Kenyon Green in the trade, improving their defensive backfield while addressing a need. With Gardner-Johnson in the mix, the Texans should have a much better chance of containing elite tight ends like Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews—something that has plagued AFC defenses for years. There's no doubt that Jimmy Ward's injury history had to be an important factor in trading for Gardner-Johnson.
The front seven is stacked. Will Anderson Jr. is poised to take a leap, and he’s still joined by Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry, giving Houston one of the best pass-rushing trios in the league. On the interior, Sheldon Rankins, Mario Edwards Jr., and Tim Settle provide a strong presence. Pass rusher Darrell Taylor and DT Kurt Hinish add even more depth, ensuring a relentless defensive attack.
The secondary, already impressive, looks elite with Derek Stingley Jr. leading the way. If the unit stays healthy, no offense will want to deal with Houston’s defense in 2025. They are built to dominate.
Fixing the offense starts up front
The Texans offensive line struggles in 2024 weren’t just a lazy narrative—they were real. Houston made significant changes, parting ways with three starting linemen from last season. The move wasn’t just about talent, but also coaching, as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach were also replaced. Clearly, the Texans believed the entire operation needed a reset.
One bright spot on the line is new addition Laken Tomlinson. The veteran guard has been incredibly durable, starting at least 16 games in seven straight seasons. He made the Pro Bowl in 2021 while playing for the 49ers, where DeMeco Ryans got to see his work ethic up close. His presence should help stabilize an offensive front that desperately needed reinforcements. On Friday, the Texans added more depth on the interior, trading a 2026 6th-round pick for Vikings guard Ed Ingram.
The biggest move on offense was the decision to trade Laremy Tunsil. It wasn’t just about his inconsistent run blocking and impact on locker room culture—this was also a financial decision. The Texans are preparing to pay C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr., and Derek Stingley Jr. big contracts in the coming years. Tunsil was going to demand another massive extension, and Houston simply couldn’t afford it.
Weapons for Stroud
Christian Kirk is a solid addition to the receiving corps, stepping into the role previously held by Stefon Diggs. He fits well in offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s system, which values slot receivers. This is the same role Cooper Kupp had with the Rams and Julian Edelman played in New England—both crucial pieces in their respective offenses, and teams Caley coached for.
Speaking of Kupp, the Texans don't appear likely to sign the veteran receiver. And we think that's a good thing due to concerns over his athleticism at this stage. Kupp, who ran an underwhelming 4.62 40-yard dash at the combine, certainly isn't running by anybody these days. But that didn't keep Larry Fitzgerald, who Kupp idolized, from having success late in his career. Fitzgerald managed to bounce back in his 30s with three straight 1,000-yard, 100-catch seasons starting at age 32. Kupp will be 32 this season. So it's possible a bigger slot receiver like Kupp could have a career renaissance like Fitzgerald, but it doesn't sound like Houston will take that gamble.
Looking ahead, the Texans need to draft a receiver and an offensive lineman with their first two draft picks. Stroud needs protection, and Houston needs another weapon to complement Kirk and Nico Collins. Keep in mind, Kirk will be a free agent after the 2025 season.
Final thoughts
The Texans have made bold moves to build a championship-caliber defense while resetting their offensive line. With one of the best defensive fronts in the league and a secondary that can lock down top receivers, Houston should be an elite unit in 2025. The offense still has work to do, but if they nail the draft, this team will be a serious contender once again in the AFC.
Don't miss the video below as the crew from Texans on Tap breaks down all the exciting moves from the Texans' offseason, and much more!
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It’s May 1, and the Astros are turning heads—but not for the reasons anyone expected. Their resurgence, driven not by stars like Yordan Alvarez or Christian Walker, but by a cast of less-heralded names, is writing a strange and telling early-season story.
Christian Walker, brought in to add middle-of-the-order thump, has yet to resemble the feared hitter he was in Arizona. Forget the narrative of a slow starter—he’s never looked like this in April. Through March and April of 2025, he’s slashing a worrying .196/.277/.355 with a .632 OPS. Compare that to the same stretch in 2024, when he posted a .283 average, .496 slug, and a robust .890 OPS, and it becomes clear: this is something more than rust. Even in 2023, his April numbers (.248/.714 OPS) looked steadier.
What’s more troubling than the overall dip is when it’s happening. Walker is faltering in the biggest moments. With runners in scoring position, he’s hitting just .143 over 33 plate appearances, including 15 strikeouts. The struggles get even more glaring with two outs—.125 average, .188 slugging, and a .451 OPS in 19 such plate appearances. In “late and close” situations, when the pressure’s highest, he’s practically disappeared: 1-for-18 with a .056 average and a .167 OPS.
His patience has waned (only 9 walks so far, compared to 20 by this time last year), and for now, his presence in the lineup feels more like a placeholder than a pillar.
The contrast couldn’t be clearer when you look at José Altuve—long the engine of this franchise—who, in 2024, delivered in the moments Walker is now missing. With two outs and runners in scoring position, Altuve hit .275 with an .888 OPS. In late and close situations, he thrived with a .314 average and .854 OPS. That kind of situational excellence is missing from this 2025 squad—but someone else may yet step into that role.
And yet—the Astros are winning. Not because of Walker, but in spite of him.
Houston’s offense, in general, hasn’t lit up the leaderboard. Their team OPS ranks 23rd (.667), their slugging 25th (.357), and they sit just 22nd in runs scored (117). They’re 26th in doubles, a rare place for a team built on gap-to-gap damage.
But where there’s been light, it hasn’t come from the usual spots. Jeremy Peña, often overshadowed in a lineup full of stars, now boasts the team’s highest OPS at .791 (Isaac Paredes is second in OPS) and is flourishing in his new role as the leadoff hitter. Peña’s balance of speed, contact, aggression, and timely power has given Houston a surprising tone-setter at the top.
Even more surprising: four Astros currently have more home runs than Yordan Alvarez.
And then there’s the pitching—Houston’s anchor. The rotation and bullpen have been elite, ranking 5th in ERA (3.23), 1st in WHIP (1.08), and 4th in batting average against (.212). In a season where offense is lagging and clutch hits are rare, the arms have made all the difference.
For now, it’s the unexpected contributors keeping Houston afloat. Peña’s emergence. A rock-solid pitching staff. Role players stepping up in quiet but crucial ways. They’re not dominating, but they’re grinding—and in a sluggish AL West, that may be enough.
Walker still has time to find his swing. He showed some signs of life against Toronto and Detroit. If he does, the Astros could become dangerous. If he doesn’t, the turnaround we’re witnessing will be credited to a new cast of unlikely faces. And maybe, that’s the story that needed to be written.
We have so much more to discuss. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
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