The Texans have been a dumpster fire, but with DeMeco Ryans, there is a way to ensure they can take the next step toward contention.
The Houston Texans have a new head coach, and with DeMeco Ryans at the helm, the franchise is looking toward a brighter future. It takes time o build a winning franchise, but the Texans have two things that help, draft capital and money. With Ryans’ defensive background, there is plenty of anticipation surrounding the scheme he will bring to the table, especially with the addition of Matt Burke as the defensive coordinator.
Burke served as the defensive line coach for the Arizona Cardinals in the 2022 season. However, he was a defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins in the past. Burke will have his work cut out for him.
On the offensive side of the ball, the hiring of Bobby Slowik as the new offensive coordinator has also raised eyebrows. After all, he’s coming from a team where Kyle Shanahan is the guy who designs the offense. However, the former 49ers passing game coordinator has potential. Since they have the No. 2 overall pick, they’ll have a young quarterback Slowik can make that job easier.
What makes the 49ers’ quarterbacks so successful is the use of a lot of pre-snap motion, which helps create mismatches and allows for a better understanding of the defense. Slowik’s offense also features a lot of short, quick passes that allow the skill-position players to make plays in space. The Texans have more holes than swiss cheese but there are three moves they must make to put them on the right track.
Moves the Houston Texans must make with DeMeco Ryans in place
1. Re-sign their top tackles
Fixing the franchise won’t happen in one season, but there’s a way to make the process easy. One way is building the offensive line, and it starts with making offensive tackle Laramey Tunsil, one of the three paid offensive tackles in the NFL. A rookie quarterback will be made better knowing his blindside is protected. Tunsil has done that at a high level in six seasons. He’s made the Pro Bowl three of the last four seasons and should get paid.
Once he’s signed, Nick Caserio must keep their other tackle, Tytus Howard. He proved he can play both inside and out for the Texans. He can spot start in case of injury to Tunsil, and he filled in at guard for Keynon Green. With two bookend tackles, Caserio must turn to the draft to take a guard to fill in the final spot. Given the Texans will probably run a lot, someone like Florida’s O’Cyrus Torrence would be the perfect pick late Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. He’s a dominant run blocker who would work well alongside Tunsil. Cody Mauch from North Dakota State is a swing guard who played left tackle but proved he can kick inside at the Senior Bowl.
2. Make Jimmie Ward and Zach Allen top targets in NFL Free Agency
The Texans should sign guys familiar with the defense. We don’t know who will call the plays but getting some cornerstone blue-collar guys is a must. Jimmie Ward. Ward has proven himself to be a versatile and consistent safety during his time with the 49ers, with the ability to play both free and strong safety positions and slot corner. He has a nose for the ball and is a sure tackler, allowing him to be effective in run support and in coverage.
Ward was a captain with experience that will be an asset to the Texans. He could help to mentor younger players and bring a veteran presence to the defense. With Ward’s proven ability and versatility, he could be a key piece in helping to elevate the Texans’ defense to a more competitive level.
Zach Allen should join Ward as top target for the Houston Texans’ radar. The Arizona Cardinals’ defensive end is hitting free agency for the first time, and his production has made him a disrupter on the field. Allen picked up 5.5 sacks and 19 quarterback hits, a career-best 35 quarterback pressures, and a pressure rate of 8.3% according to PFF. With Matt Burke as his previous defensive line coach, Allen and Ward should be must adds for the Texans this off-season.
3. CJ Stroud should be the Houston Texans’ quarterback
NFL media outlets are hyping up Bryce Young and Will Levis, but it’s time to give some serious consideration to CJ Stroud. The Ohio State product has all the tools to be the next franchise quarterback for the Houston Texans.
One of the things that makes Stroud such a great prospect is his leadership. He has already shown his ability to lead a talented Ohio State team to the Rose Bowl in his first full season as a starter. His calm demeanor under pressure and his ability to rally his teammates to make him a natural leader on and off the field.
But it’s not just Stroud’s intangibles. What doesn’t Stroud have? Cannon arm, check, accuracy, check, size double check. If you want to know what Stroud brings to the table, look at how he played against historically good defenses the last two seasons. Against the historically great Georgia defense, Stroud threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns in one of the best FBS Playoff Games of all time.
His accuracy and ability to stretch the field vertically make him well-suited for a run-heavy play-action offense. Slowik will make things easy for him early on. He’ll use his mobility on RPOs. Having Dameon Pierce in the backfield will make Stroud’s life easy.
While Young and Levis are undoubtedly talented prospects, Stroud has the potential to be an even better quarterback in the NFL. If the Texans want to secure their future at the quarterback position, they should seriously consider selecting CJ Stroud with the No. 2 pick in the draft.