HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 13: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans celebrates as he runs onto the field during player introductions before an AFC wild-card playoff football game against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
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Michael I-Min Mau: Greetings, Drew What actions do you believe we should take to go past the playoff divisional round?
DD: I appreciate you asking. We haven’t heard from you in a long. I hope everything is ok.The Texans need to enhance the game-changers they presently have and add a few more to continue moving forward.
I believe Houston is headed toward achieving that on both fronts.
It appears like introducing defensive lineman like Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry, along with linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and running back Joe Mixon, is a good place to start when it comes to adding additional game-changers. Executive Vice President/General Manager Nick Caserio is still a free agent, in my opinion, and we’ll see what moves he makes in a month at the NFL Draft.
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Insofar as the present game-changers continue to improve, how can we not enthused about what lies ahead? As a rookie, quarterback C.J. Stroud was extraordinary.
The offensive should continue to produce spectacular plays with a more year to develop under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s scheme with players like tight end Dalton Schultz and receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell, among others. With players like defensive end Will Anderson, Jr., safety Jalen Pitre, linebacker Christian Harris, and cornerback Derek Stingley, Jr., we’re just getting started on the defensive end.
They have a young, talented core, and if they continue to improve while the new players fulfill their commitments, things may get interesting.
Multipurposeness 🤌 pic.twitter.com/GYL6fdyysY
— March 27, 2024, Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans)
Leo Lozano, Jr.: Hey Drew, with the acquisitions of Autry and Mario Edwards, Jr., how do you think the Texans will line up our defense? Will Anderson continue to move or will he limit himself to becoming a rusher on the left or right side?
DD: Hello Leo, I don’t think any of those guys are going to settle down in one special place.
Not that you’ll see them continually flip-flopping, but I believe the Texans have a lot of versatility because of their skill set.
Both Caserio and Head Coach DeMeco Ryans have praised Hunter and Autry’s abilities, with Autry particularly standing out for his defensive prowess at end and tackle.
Defensively, I think you’ll see some mixing and matching up front.
Jason Gerringer: What would constitute a successful running the ball season? Will Joe Mixon improve going forward? Sorry, I realize there are two questions.
DD: Everything is OK, Jason. The Texans’ average yardage per carry last season was a meager 3.7.
The Bucs, Saints, and Jaguars were the only three teams with worse records. In that area, 4.1 yards per pop was the midway point.Since the 2020 season, Houston has not averaged more than 4 yards per rush.
Reaching the 4-yard line is a must for Ryans and company to strengthen the rush. In this attack, Mixon can undoubtedly be more effective.
In Cincinnati the previous season, he ran for nine touchdowns and averaged an even four yards per run. Nevertheless, he also hauled in 52 receptions for 376 yards and three scores. The Texans are expecting him to have a similar kind of effect here.
