The Houston Texans wrote the most heartwarming story of the 2023 season. After enduring a difficult 3-13-1 campaign in 2022, the Texans quickly recaptured relevance by going 10-7, winning the AFC South, and even earning a playoff victory in the process. A successful season in 2024 means repeating that while positioning themselves as legitimate contenders in the AFC.
The first decision that led to Houston's swift rebuild was the appointment of head coach DeMeco Ryans. A franchise legend as a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker, Ryans quickly acclimated to his new role. The Texans made a home-run decision.
Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio entered the 2023 NFL Draft with the No. 2 overall selection. After the Carolina Panthers selected Bryce Young with the first pick, the Texans wisely took Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud. The Texans then acquired the very next selection from the Arizona Cardinals to draft EDGE Will Anderson Jr. at No. 3 overall. Those two decisions will go down as all-timers that positively altered their outlook for the next 10 seasons.
Stroud was historically impressive throughout his rookie campaign. He shattered several NFL and franchise rookie records en route to being named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Stroud became just the fifth quarterback in NFL history to surpass 4,000 passing yards as a rookie. He led the entire league in passing yards per game (273.9), finishing the year with 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns, highlighted by a historic 470-yard performance versus the Buccaneers in Week 9.
What CJ Stroud accomplished Sunday:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 6, 2023
🏈His 147.8 passer rating is the highest single-game passer rating by a rookie quarterback (minimum 30 attempts) in NFL history.
🏈His 470 passing yards are the most passing yards by a rookie in a game in NFL history.
🏈Became the youngest… pic.twitter.com/lvqKulw7fX
Anderson was no slouch, by the way, concluding his rookie campaign with 7.0 sacks. Anderson was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, marking the fourth time in NFL history that teammates won the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards.
The Texans blew out the Cleveland Browns 45-14 in the wild-card round. Stroud completed 16-of-21 passing attempts for 274 yards, three touchdowns, and a near-perfect passer rating of 157.2. The Texans bowed out of the postseason the following week, losing 34-10 to the top-seed Baltimore Ravens, proving that as impressive as their season was, they weren't quite ready to rub elbows with the AFC's elite.
CJ Stroud tied the rookie record for most passing TDs (3) in a playoff game in just ONE HALF 🤯 pic.twitter.com/tXOnsDiHkl
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 13, 2024
Caserio and Ryans have taken steps this offseason to push the Texans forward. They arguably had the most aggressive offseason in the league from a talent acquisition standpoint. Most notably, they continued investing in Stroud by acquiring four-time Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs in a bombshell trade with the Buffalo Bills.
In a separate deal, Joe Mixon was acquired to be the new RB1. Receiver Nico Collins was signed to a lucrative extension after recording nearly 1,300 yards last season. Fellow wideout Tank Dell should showcase sophomore growth this year, and even tight end Dalton Schultz was re-signed as Stroud's security blanket. The Texans are absolutely loaded around Stroud at the playmaking positions.
The Texans were equally as aggressive on the defensive side. Danielle Hunter, who finished fifth in the league in sacks last season with 16.5 quarterback takedowns, was signed in free agency. Hunter and Anderson should form the league's most productive pass-rushing duo.
Other defensive acquisitions include Denico Autry and Azeez Al-Shaair, two new starters who join the Texans from their AFC South rival Tennessee Titans. Autry totaled 11.5 sacks last year, finishing 12th in the league, meaning Houston acquired two of the top-12 most productive pass rushers from last season to join the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. In the secondary, free-agent signings Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson joined draft pick Kamari Lassiter as new additions.
On paper, the Texans appear capable of competing for a Super Bowl. Their 2024 goal is to establish themselves as an AFC powerhouse by joining the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, and Ravens as annual AFC Championship Game contenders. Expectations are extremely high, but Houston has the franchise quarterback and supporting pieces in place to reach for the stars this season.
