Houston Texans
A year ago, a franchise that had amassed a dismal 11-38-1 record from 2020-22 would hire DeMeco Ryans as their head coach. General manager Nick Caserio was very proactive in free agency, buoyed by the presence of the former Houston Texans’ Pro Bowl linebacker. The team was aggressive on the first night of the NFL draft, grabbing quarterback C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick trading to the No. 3 spot, and taking University of Alabama pass-rusher Will Anderson Jr.
The results? A 10-7 record and the AFC South title. There was a playoff win over the Browns, but a humbling divisional-round loss at Baltimore. This is a club that still hasn’t reached the AFC title game in 22 seasons of existence.
Caserio, Ryan, and the Houston Texans are at it again and by all indications are knocking it out of the park this offseason once again. They swung a deal with the Bills to obtain four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs. They traded for former Bengals’ running back Joe Mixon. They added productive defensive ends Danielle Hunter (Vikings) and Denico Autry (Titans).
Punter Tommy Townsend (Chiefs) and linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips (Ravens) should help the special teams. Hunter and Autry should offset the loss of Jonathan Greenard (Vikings), the club’s top sack artist in 2023, and the free-agent defection of Sheldon Rankins (Bengals).
Houston’s top tackler this past season was linebacker Blake Cushman, who will join Greenard in Minnesota. It will be fascinating to watch Ryans work his magic with these numerous new pieces.