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4 players that could follow DeMeco Ryans to the Houston Texans

By Sayre Bedinger

Feb 2, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans head coach Demeco Ryans (center) holds a jersey while posing for a photo with owner Cal McNair (left) and general manager Nick Caserio (right) during the introductory press conference at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans head coach Demeco Ryans (center) holds a jersey while posing for a photo with owner Cal McNair (left) and general manager Nick Caserio (right) during the introductory press conference at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Texans pulled off one of the best hires of the 2023 NFL head coach cycle when they hired former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans. Ryans took over for Robert Saleh in 2021 as 49ers defensive coordinator and he has continued to prove exactly why he’s been such a hyped name in the NFL coaching community for the last handful of years.

Since his days as a player (starting with the Houston Texans in 2006), Ryans has quickly and steadily risen through the coaching ranks. His 49ers defense was one of the most dominant in the NFL the last two seasons, ranking 1st in points allowed at under 17 per game and forcing 30 turnovers, second-most in the NFL in 2022.

He’s bringing his football genius to the city of Houston once again where he’ll join forces with general manager Nick Caserio, formerly of the New England Patriots bloodline. Together, these two will look to the future of this Texans organization and how they can reshape not only the roster but the culture. Although Caserio has brought in seemingly hundreds of free agents the past couple of years, we should see some players coming in during the 2023 offseason with a connection to DeMeco Ryans one way or the other.

Let’s take a look at some players that could follow the new head coach to Houston.

4 players that could follow DeMeco Ryans to the Houston Texans

DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans
DeMeco Ryans; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward (1) before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Jimmie Ward, DB, San Francisco 49ers (2023 free agent)

Anytime you see coaches transition to new teams, you almost always see them bring a player or two (at least) along with them to help along the scheme change and act as, essentially, coaches on the field. I think that’s exactly what Jimmie Ward could be for DeMeco Ryans with the Houston Texans.

Ward has been a 49er since he was drafted in the first round all the way back in 2014. After picking off just two passes in his first 78 games as a 49er, he has five interceptions the last two seasons and is coming off of a season in which he picked off a career-best three in 2022.

Ward will be 32 this season, so he’s not likely to break the bank, but he could come in on a nice multi-year deal and help as a veteran with some of the top young pieces in that Houston secondary like cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and safety Jalen Pitre.

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