No difference NFL the team received more hype Texan this season and it’s easy to see why.
Led by first-year coaches DeMeco Ryans and CJ Stroud, who had arguably the best rookie quarterback season in league history, Houston won 10 regular-season games in 2023 en route to its first division title in four years. The team is one win away from the AFC Championship Game. And if the Texans’ promising young core wasn’t enough, they’ve added a slew of big-name additions in 2024: wide receivers Diggs Stefanrun again Joe Mixonedge presser Danielle Hunterdefensive midfielder Denico Autry and linebacker Azeez Al Shaair. Houston has committed more than $145 million in contract values to those five players.
So even if the team legend JJ Watt didn’t get the call from Ryans to return for another seasonThere are plenty of reasons to be optimistic if you’re a Texan.
The question is: Did they also hype?
It’s certainly not uncommon to see teams crowned Super Bowl contenders after flashy off-season moves, only to fail when it comes to actually playing football.
We have also seen teams pushed into contention based on last season’s results, only to fall short of expectations. Texans can look for cautionary tales in their department. The Jaguarthe team, which made the playoffs in the 2022 season, had the biggest collapse in franchise history in 2023, missing the playoffs with a 9-8 record after starting the year 8-3.
All of those factors are why it’s not surprising to hear Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio have been discussing outside conversations about the team over the past few months.
“We don’t care about expectations,” Ryans said last month. “Talking doesn’t win the game.”
On paper, the Texans might have the NFL’s most productive wide receiver room. Their wide receivers last season had 3,272 receiving yards, which was fourth in the league — and that was with the rookie standout Dell Tank missed six games and was without Diggs, who had 1,183 passing yards Buffalo last season.
But which version of Diggs are the Texans getting? The 30-year-old will have plenty of incentive to play well, as he will enter the free agent market in 2025 after Houston agreed to waive the final three years of his contract. But his production dropped significantly towards the end of last season. After registering at least 100 receiving yards in five of the Bills’ first six games, he failed to reach the century mark in the final 11 games.
Is it possible that trading Diggs backfires for the Texans?
As a rerun, the Mixon is a flashier upgrade Devin is singlewho signed with New York Giants in free agency. Among all running backs since 2021, when he made his lone Pro Bowl, Mixon ranks third in rushing touchdowns (29) and fifth in rushing yards (3,053 ). Of the four running backs, at least 750 performed in that span (Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs And Najee Harris are others), Mixon is rated No. 1 with 39.3% of his runs exceeding expected rushing yards, according to Next Gen Stats.
But Mixon is an older running back — he turns 28 in July — with a lot of mileage on his body. Houston took a risk by giving him $19.75 million over the next two years.
While the Texans are deep at some points, they also have uncertainty in the secondary.
Houston ranked 23rd in pass defense last season. According to Sportradar, the team has allowed 60 receptions of 20-plus yards in 2023, sixth-most in the league. From Weeks 12-18, the Texans allowed 28 of those “explosive” receptions, the third-most in that span.
Second round pick Lassiter Kamari has a chance to make a difference at cornerback, where Houston’s pecking order is unclear beyond standout Derek Stingley Jr.. The Texans have signed former top-10 picks Jeff Okudah And CJ Henderson to one-year deals this offseason.
Lassiter allowed just a 38.5% completion rate in coverage last season at Georgia, ranked No. 1 in the SEC and fourth among FBS cornerbacks who have played at least 299 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. According to The Athletic’s “The Beast,” the last time he gave up more than two catches in a game was in the 2022 College Football Playoff against a Stroud-led team. Ohio State.
Third round pick Calen Bullock could also be a safe future for the Texans, where the team struggled in 2023. Jimmie Ward missed seven games and Jalen Pitre has had an up-and-down sophomore campaign.
What are realistic expectations for the Texans?
And to support all reinforcements on the defensive line Will Anderson Jr.., the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, has question marks on the interior.
Houston began trading defensively Maliek Collins arrive 49ers. Veteran Foley Fatukasiwho signed a one-year contract worth $5.1 million and was selected in the seventh round Marcus Harris essentially his replacements. With a lack of investment in the interior defensive line, the Texans are relying on Autry’s versatility and firepower to make up for potential shortcomings.
So, there’s no doubt that this Texas team deserves the hype.
But we don’t know if they can take it until the ball game starts.
Ben Arthur is the AFC South reporter for FOX Sports. He previously worked for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, where he was giant beat the writer for a year and a half. He covered up Seattle Seahawks Football Team for SeattlePI.com for three seasons (2018-20) before moving to Tennessee. You can follow Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
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