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Houston Texans forever - Titans annual loss in Oilers unis to be replaced by loss in other unis (1 Viewer)

Kiper's grade:

Houston Texans: B+
Top needs entering the draft: Wide receiver, offensive tackle and guard

Quarterback C.J. Stroud took a step back last season, which is why the theme of Houston's draft always had to be getting him more support. His top three receivers -- Nico Collins (eight games), Stefon Diggs (10) and Tank Dell (three) -- all missed time because of injuries in 2024. Dell's return timeline from a significant knee injury is uncertain, and Diggs is now in New England. Stroud was also sacked 52 times, second most in the NFL, behind a poor offensive line. Houston retooled the unit in free agency, but I'm not sure anyone would say it absolutely improved it. The Texans swapped out Laremy Tunsil, Kenyon Green and Shaq Mason for Cam Robinson, Ed Ingram and Laken Tomlinson.

You get the point, and it's the reason my top needs for Houston all came on offense. This front office can't let Stroud's rookie contract slip away, especially in a winnable AFC South. But rather than attack the holes with its early picks, Houston kept trading back for more draft capital, including selections in future years. The Texans entered Thursday with seven picks but ended up making nine. In all, they made seven trades in the draft.

The Texans dealt their first-rounder in one of those moves, but they made four Day 2 selections. Two of them were Iowa State receivers. Jayden Higgins brings 6-foot-4 size and explosion outside; Jaylin Noel brings speed and after-the-catch burst to the slot. They were both top-seven receivers on my board. As for the offensive line, Aireontae Ersery is 6-foot-6, 331 pounds and can handle speed or power off the edge. He might not step into a starting role right away, but he could develop into a starting left tackle in time.

The Texans took Jaylin Smith -- my CB25 -- at the end of the third round, but there's upside in his game. They traded a future third-rounder to move up from No. 179 to No. 116 to take my RB17 early in Round 4. (I like Woody Marks, though -- he squirts through traffic to break free.) The two picks in the seventh round are interesting fliers. I moved defensive tackle Kyonte Hamilton up my board late in the process, and tight end Luke Lachey has some strong blocking traits.

No guard here, but Houston did the most important thing for its draft: improve the offense around Stroud.
 
So when RB Woody Marks got drafted, on the Texans livecast apparently John Harris jumped up out of his chair, and from the clip I heard of it on the radio, pretty much orgasmed on air.
 
Chronicle's way too early roster prediction:


QB: C.J. Stroud, Davis Mills
RB: Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, Woody Marks
FB: Jakob Johnson
WR: Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson, Justin Watson
TE: Dalton Schultz, Cade Stover, Brevin Jordan
LT: Cam Robinson, Aireontae Ersery
LG: Tytus Howard, Laken Tomlinson
C: Jarrett Patterson
RG: Juice Scruggs, Ed Ingram
RT: Blake Fisher, Trent Brown

DE: Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Derek Barnett, Denico Autry, Darrell Taylor, Dylan Horton
DT: Mario Edwards Jr., Sheldon Rankins, Tim Settle Jr., Tommy Togiai
LB: Azeez Al-Shaair, Henry To’oTo’o, Christian Harris, E.J. Speed, Nick Niemann
CB: Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter, Ronald Darby, Tremon Smith
Nickel: Jalen Pitre, Jaylin Smith
S: C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Calen Bullock, Jimmie Ward, Jaylen Reed

P: Tommy Townsend
K: Ka’imi Fairbairn
LS: Austin Brinkman
 
Field Yates article on five picks he loved from each round of the draft:

Jaylin Noel, WR, Houston Texans (No. 79)
I almost included an entry on both the Noel and Jayden Higgins picks. The Texans reunited the former Iowa State receivers (they selected Higgins at No. 34), and I was a big fan of the pair leading up to the draft. Noel is the more exciting player, as his suddenness and juice led to four touchdowns of at least 50 yards in 2023. Houston needed to address receiver heavily because Tank Dell's 2025 status is uncertain right now and Stefon Diggs departed for the Patriots. Noel has a legitimate shot to take over as its Day 1 starter in the slot.
 
PFF grade and player reviews:

Houston Texans: B
2 (34): WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa State

Higgins — Higgins was one of the few receivers at the top of this draft class with ideal ‘X’ receiver size at 6’4” and 215 pounds, and he added to that physical profile with strong testing across the board at the NFL Combine. He profiles as a reliable possession receiver who dropped just three of his 209 targets over the past two seasons at Iowa State. It's not their biggest need along the OL, but adding another weapon for C.J. Stroud makes a lot of sense given Stefon Diggs’ departure and Tank Dell coming off a major injury.

2 (48): OL Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota

Ersery — The Texans’ offensive line offseason overhaul continues here with the Ersery addition. Over the last two seasons, Ersery showcased an explosive first step and quick feet, allowing him to significantly impact zone-blocking schemes, where his 89.5 PFF grade charted in the 84th percentile.

3 (79): WR Jaylin Noel, Iowa State

Noel — Noel brings strength and athleticism to the slot for the Texans. He earned an 81.7 PFF receiving grade with 2.62 yards per route run in 2024, showing good body control on off-target passes and looking explosive with the ball in his hands.

3 (97): CB Jaylin Smith, USC

Smith — Houston continues to add to a strong secondary. Although Smith posted a career-best 82.5 PFF coverage grade on this outside in 2024, he profiles as a solid option in the slot. He allowed just 0.90 yards per coverage snap and a 59.8 passer rating when targeted this past season.

4 (116): RB Jo'Quavious Marks, USC

Marks — After spending four years as a regular member of the Mississippi State backfield, Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks transferred to USC, where he set career highs in PFF rushing grade (85.9), overall PFF grade (83.4), rushing yards (1,154) and missed tackles forced (34). On 622 career collegiate carries, Marks fumbled only once. Marks joins a backfield that features Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce as the Texans continue to load up on offense in this draft.

6 (187): S Jaylen Reed, Penn State

Reed — This is a good value pick, with the Texans securing PFF’s 134th-ranked prospect at No. 187. Reed is a physical, downhill box safety who earned an 80.5 PFF run-defense grade in 2024.

6 (197): QB Graham Mertz, Florida

Mertz — After a long career as Wisconsin’s starter, Mertz spent the past two seasons at the helm in Gainesville with mixed results. In his final season, he struggled to fend off freshman phenom DJ Lagway before a Week 7 ACL tear ended his college career. Aside from a bad opening game against Miami, Mertz had been throwing the ball well, as he didn’t have a PFF passing grade below 76.0 in any of the four games he played.

7 (224): DI Kyonte Hamilton, Rutgers

Hamilton — Despite being a regular part of Rutgers’ defensive rotation over the past few seasons, it wasn’t until 2024 that he truly stood out, posting a PFF grade of 81.3. He was particularly dominant against UCLA in Week 8, recording six pressures and two sacks with a 92.0 pass-rush grade.

7 (255): TE Luke Lachey, Iowa

Lachey — Lachey comes in at 6-foot-6 and posted vertical and broad jump results above the 75th percentile at the tight end position. He wasn’t overly productive at Iowa, with just 362 receiving yards on 265 routes over the past two seasons.
 
Source: Texans re-signing veteran DT Folorunso Fatukasi

The Houston Texans are re-signing defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi, a source confirmed to ESPN.

Fatukasi, 30, started 11 games for the Texans last season and contributed to a Texans run defense that ranked ninth in fewest yards allowed (107) and eighth in yards per attempt (4.2).

Fatukasi isn't known for rushing the passer as he only had one sack last season and has 5.5 in his career. But he's impactful in defending the run. He led the Texans defense in run stuff rate (4.8%) and was tied for third in run stuff tackles (eight), according to Next Gen Stats.
 
The Texans and rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins have agreed to a fully guaranteed four-year, $11,700,824 contract, making him the first second-round pick in NFL history to have a fully guaranteed contract.
 
Tidbit in an ESPN article: Sources say Houston tried a couple of times to trade up for an offensive lineman but could not make it work.
 
Also ESPN: Houston could move Tytus Howard from left guard to left tackle and play 2024 second-round pick Blake Fisher at right tackle. It's possible Ersery shows enough in camp to earn one of the two starting tackle spots, as well. And the Texans expect Tomlinson to be able to play left guard and Juice Scruggs to battle Ingram for the right guard spot. The hope is to create as much competition as possible along the line so that the best combination of five emerges and the atmosphere around the group is more conducive to success than last year. New offensive coordinator Nick Caley will also put his stamp on the unit as he installs his new offense.
 
4 prime time games. Two afternoon games (at Rams and vs Raiders) and possibly a third in LA for the Chargers with time/date TBD.


2025 Houston Texans schedule

(Preseason) Date Opponent Time TV
Sat, Aug. 9 at Minnesota 3 p.m. ABC
Sat, Aug. 16 Carolina Noon ABC
Sat, Aug. 23 at Detroit Noon ABC

REGULAR SEASON

Date Opponent Time TV
Sun, Sept. 7 at L.A. Rams 3:25 p.m. CBS
Mon, Sept. 15 Tampa Bay 6 p.m. ABC (MNF)
Sun, Sept. 21 at Jacksonville Noon CBS
Sun, Sept. 28 Tennessee Noon CBS
Sun, Oct. 5 at Baltimore Noon CBS
Sun, Oct. 12 Open date
Mon, Oct. 20 at Seattle 9 p.m. ESPN+* (MNF)
Sun, Oct. 26 San Francisco Noon Fox
Sun, Nov. 2 Denver Noon Fox
Sun, Nov. 9 Jacksonville Noon CBS
Sun, Nov. 16 at Tennessee Noon Fox
Thu, Nov. 20 Buffalo 7:15 p.m. Prime* (TNF)
Sun, Nov. 30 at Indianapolis Noon CBS
Sun, Dec. 7 at Kansas City 7:20 p.m. NBC (SNF)
Sun, Dec. 14 Arizona Noon Fox
Sun, Dec. 21 Las Vegas 3:25 p.m. CBS
TBD at L.A. Chargers TBD TBD
TBD Indianapolis TBD TBD
 
Last edited:
We play one team coming off a bye. Titans have week 10 bye and we play them on the road week 11.

We don't play any teams getting the 10 day rest after a Thursday game.
 
Strength of schedule: The Texans are tied for the 14th-easiest schedule in the league (opponents had .481 winning percentage in 2024).
 
Heard a comment on the radio that I had to pass on to someone.

So apparently they wanted to make a Hard Knocks show following Bill Belichik at North Carolina. Only, his 24 year old girlfriend wanted content control of it, and they canceled it.

While discussing it, local radio host referred to her "Jack Easter-she".
 
Chronicle:

OTA practices will continue Thursday and Friday. Here are some observations from the first day:

Kamari Lassiter shines, again
One of the standouts in OTAs last year was then-rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter, who often won his matchup against Stefon Diggs.

Well, Lassiter was at it again Wednesday.

He had two deflections in practice during team drills. His best one was when he was lined up opposite wide receiver Nico Collins, who ran a go route. Lassiter was with Collins step for step, which is huge considering Collins' speed and long strides. And at the last second, Lassiter deflected Davis Mills’ pass to Collins.

He also deflected another pass intended for wide receiver John Metchie a short time later.

C.J. Stroud limited, other veterans missing
The first day of OTAs was well-attended, especially by the young core of C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr., Derek Stingley Jr. and Nico Collins.

But several veterans were missing, some of whom are dealing with injuries.

Missing were running backs Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce, edge rusher Danielle Hunter, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, linebacker Henry To’oTo’o, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, offensive tackle Trent Brown, wide receivers Justin Watson, Braxton Berrios and Tank Dell, tight ends Brevin Jordan and Dalton Schultz, and rookie quarterback Graham Mertz.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud, who was at practice, went through his warm-ups but was limited. Backup quarterback Davis Mills took the first- and second-team snaps in seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 drills while Kedon Slovis took third-team snaps.

Meanwhile, linebacker Christian Harris attended practice but did not dress out. He stood with the linebackers in a hoodie during individual drills and watched from the sidelines.

It’s unclear what Harris is dealing with. He suffered calf and ankle injuries last season, but was expected to return.

Ryans downplayed Stroud’s limitations Wednesday, as well as other players who were absent, noting it was a voluntary practice and that different players are on different schedules in returning to practice.


Several O-line combinations used
Offensive coordinator Nick Caley mixed and matched different offensive line combinations throughout the day.

At one point, Cam Robinson started at left tackle, Laken Tomlinson at left guard, Jake Andrews at center, Tytus Howard at right guard and Aireontae Ersery at right tackle.

Sometimes Ersery was switched out for Blake Fisher. At other times, the lineup combination was Ersery at left tackle, Juice Scruggs at left guard, Jarrett Patterson at center, Ed Ingram at right guard, and Austin Deculus at right tackle.

This isn’t to say this will be the lineup heading into the season. There’s a long way to go, and Caley is just trying to find the right combination of players and where they fit best.


Jalen Pitre returns
Nickel cornerback Jalen Pitre, who suffered a pectoral injury last season that was surgically repaired, was on the field at OTAs and participated in team drills.

A source had previously said Pitre may miss time in OTAs as he rehabs to the side. But Wednesday was a great sign for Pitre that he’s ahead of schedule.

Pitre, who made the move from safety to nickel corner in 2024, signed a three-year contract extension earlier this offseason.
 
On the former-Texans notes, Stephon Diggs making the wrong kind of publicity over a video of him on a boat partying during voluntary OTAs. Passed some girls a baggy with a pink substance that people speculate is a mix of drugs known as pink cocaine.

Glad he didn't cause disruptions when he was here. Not a very good look off doing that while recovering from his injury and his teammates are out working.
 
Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said C.J. Stroud is dealing with “general soreness” in his throwing shoulder, but maintained that he’s not concerned that the issue will affect the star quarterback moving forward.

Stroud has not thrown in any of the Texans' six practices during offseason workouts. He’s only handed the ball off to running backs.

“We’re taking extra precautions with him,” Ryans said during his press conference Tuesday. “But he’ll be good to go. No concerns on my end.”

When asked whether Stroud would throw in the team’s mandatory minicamp practice next week, Ryans did not say.

“When he’s ready to go, he’ll be ready,” Ryans said, addressing Stroud’s issue for the first time since organized team activities began last week. “We’re not going to rush him into anything.”
 
First team O Line in camp has mainly been: Cam Robinson LT, Tomlinson LG, Jake Andrews C, Tytus Howard RG, Blake Fisher RT.

Local radio guys were commenting on Demeco's wording that the "offensive line mindset is drastically changing" and viewing it as an indictment on how bad it was.

Actually heard lots of great conversation on the radio, wish I had gotten back to the computer quicker to try to write it down before I forgot it. Some of it was talking about sometimes OC's come up with stuff and it's the position coaches that have to try to actually make it happen, and so they often end up with a better view of what it takes and what works and such. Which wasn't the point that he (Seth Payne) had set out to make, but when he arrived at it he mentioned, Slowik was never a position coach, and maybe that played into some of the stuff we saw last year that didn't seem to work and that we heard there were grumblings about.

Also mentioned how he'd referred to Jalen Higgins and Noel in ways comparable to what had been said about Anderson, Bullock and Latimer in their rookie seasons. But that Ersery hasn't gotten that same kind of praise at least yet.
 
Clint Stoerner was talking about what he saw in mini camp, and he said Jaylin Noel was the receiver who was running routes that he thought would allow him to most immediately contribute in the NFL.

Also he apparently didn't have concerns about CJ's shoulder, though I didn't hear that segment, just heard the hosts refer to it later.
 
GregR said:
Clint Stoerner was talking about what he saw in mini camp, and he said Jaylin Noel was the receiver who was running routes that he thought would allow him to most immediately contribute in the NFL.

Also he apparently didn't have concerns about CJ's shoulder, though I didn't hear that segment, just heard the hosts refer to it later.
Click to expand...
oh wow link or source? Would love to see here more on noel
 
zeeshan2 said:
GregR said:
Clint Stoerner was talking about what he saw in mini camp, and he said Jaylin Noel was the receiver who was running routes that he thought would allow him to most immediately contribute in the NFL.

Also he apparently didn't have concerns about CJ's shoulder, though I didn't hear that segment, just heard the hosts refer to it later.
Click to expand...
oh wow link or source? Would love to see here more on noel
Click to expand...

I believe he was listening to Stoerner's radio show here in Houston
 
Major said:
zeeshan2 said:
GregR said:
Clint Stoerner was talking about what he saw in mini camp, and he said Jaylin Noel was the receiver who was running routes that he thought would allow him to most immediately contribute in the NFL.

Also he apparently didn't have concerns about CJ's shoulder, though I didn't hear that segment, just heard the hosts refer to it later.
Click to expand...
oh wow link or source? Would love to see here more on noel
Click to expand...

I believe he was listening to Stoerner's radio show here in Houston
Click to expand...
Yes it was local radio. Stoerner was on the morning show (Payne and Pendergast) as a guest though.

https://www.audacy.com/stations/spo...c/episodes/2aeec96e451e/chapters/5408d2ce1b13 (can't seem to link directly to it, so click on the link and then click on the Clint Stoerner talks OTAs link).

9:13:30 is where they start discussing the WRs. 9:16:40 is where he goes into Noels, but listen to the first part as well as Stoerner goes over Higgins fully first and where he thinks he may have work to do.

Suppose I should go post this in their player threads.
 
Four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Houston Texans on Monday, sources told ESPN.

The signing is contingent on Chubb passing a physical.

The former Cleveland Browns running back would join a Texans rushing attack led by two-time Pro Bowl rusher Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, and fourth-round pick Woody Marks out of USC.

Injuries derailed Chubb's tenure with the Browns. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, forcing him to miss the first six games of the 2024 season before he returned in Week 7 and scored a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals.

But Chubb, 29, failed to regain his Pro Bowl form before his season ended prematurely because of a broken foot in Week 15.

In eight games, he ran for 332 yards and recorded career lows in yards per attempt (3.3) and percentage of carries that gained at least 10 yards (4.9%).

Houston hopes Chubb can recapture his pre-injury production and form a one-two combo with Mixon, who totaled 1,016 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns en route to earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2024.

Chubb's expected signing in Houston was first reported by NFL Network.
 
The Texans have signed four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb, the team announced Monday.

Chubb's deal is for one year and $2.5 million, a source told ESPN, confirming an NFL Network report. It can be worth up to $5 million.
 
Not bad depth, I've pretty much given up on Pierce being a fit for this offense. He needs to go somewhere else with a scheme similar to what we had his rookie year to maybe be successful again.
 
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