Houston Texans (10-7)
CAMP OPENS: July 18, Houston
LAST YEAR: The Texans were resurrected as contenders under DeMeco Ryans with a roster reloaded by GM Nick Caserio and anchored by two rookies of the year, QB C.J. Stroud and OLB Will Anderson Jr. Houston won 10 games, the AFC South division and beat the Browns in a home playoff game to advance to the AFC divisional playoffs. Houston reloaded in the offseason, adding three players with Pro Bowl credentials: WR Stefon Diggs, RB Joe Mixon and DE Danielle Hunter.
KEY ADDITIONS: FS Calen Bullock, DE Danielle Hunter, WR Stefon Diggs, OT Blake Fisher, RCB Kamari Lassiter, RB Joe Mixon, LB Azeez Al-Shaair, DT Denico Autry
KEY LOSSES: LB Blake Cashman, DT Maliek Collins, Edge Jonathan Greenard, DT Sheldon Rankins
CAMP CHECKLIST: Regarded as a future NFL head coach, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik helped Stroud produce a plethora of “wow” performances last season. The task in training camp is fitting in the new guys, including Diggs and Mixon, without dimming the star of breakout WR Nico Collins. Fitting Hunter into a scheme that wants constant pressure on the quarterback should not be a headache, but his acclimation to the new defense after spending his entire career with the Vikings bears watching.
2024 EXPECTATIONS: Ryans harped the entire offseason about hitting the reset button, and Caserio opened training camp trumpeting a similar message: “Nothing is guaranteed.” The Texans are intent on staying at the front of the pack in the AFC South and climbing higher. There’s plenty of promise to build on after last season.
–Field Level Media
