There aren’t many if any, positive superlatives that would be used to describe the Houston Texans the last few seasons. They have won only 11 games in the last three seasons and how they have handled their head coach position has been nothing short of an embarrassment.
Houston has fired their last two head coaches, David Culley and Lovie Smith, after one season on the job. That has set an ugly precedent, but the Texans are hoping to start turning things around this year.
The team hired San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans to take over as head coach. Ryans knows a thing or two about the organization as he was a standout Texans linebacker during his playing days and would love to help get the franchise back on track.
While they are in the early stages of a rebuild, there could be a light at the end of the tunnel. Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio are on the same page about what to build for future success. Atop that list is finding a franchise quarterback.
The Texans have a chance to do that in the 2023 NFL Draft. Armed with the No. 2 overall pick, one of the top-rated signal callers in this year’s draft will more than likely be heading to Houston.
“We have a really good, to a couple of good, quarterback prospects at the top of the draft,” Ryans said, “and we want to add a young quarterback to our team. We think that will be the right thing to do for our team. We feel like we have a good nucleus of players. I still want to add some competition to that quarterback position, and this year, there’s two good guys at the top that we’ve looked at and that we value pretty highly. So we’re excited about the draft to be at that No. 2 spot.”
Based on mock drafts and player rankings, it is fair to assume that the Texans are targeting either Bryce Young out of Alabama or C.J. Stroud out of Ohio State. Both were excellent players collegiately and will be looking to help turn around a franchise at the next level.
But, regardless of how talented they are, they still need a strong supporting cast around them to succeed. Ryans and Caserio have a plan in place to achieve that as well.
“How do you build around that quarterback,” Ryans said. “Yes, we want a great quarterback, but no, we need a great offensive line to protect the quarterback. We need great running backs, great tight ends, great receivers.”
The Texans have the makings of a strong offensive line. Laremy Tunsil is arguably the best left tackle in the NFL and Tytus Howard was strong at right tackle. The team also acquired Shaq Mason from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to bolster the interior at guard.
The Texans did part with wide receiver Brandin Cooks this offseason but signed veterans Robert Woods and Noah Brown. They own a second first-round pick from the Cleveland Browns stemming from the Deshaun Watson trade and that could be used on a top wide receiver.
Tight end Dalton Shultz and running back Devin Singletary were solid signings in free agency as well. Both will upgrade what was an underwhelming offensive attack last season, as whoever is under center for the Texans will have some weaponry to work with.
While there is plenty of work remaining in the rebuild, the Texans do look like they are on the right path. Having a plan in place is the first step, which they have achieved. Following that plan is easier said than done, but the groundwork for their foundation has been laid and will be built up during the 2023 NFL Draft.
