Texans Roundup: Offensive play will be better in 2022

There are some exciting things happening with the 2022 Houston Texans offense.

During the offseason it is a good time to reflect on the offensive roster of the Houston Texans because they will be a solid unit to watch in 2022, as they will surprise many and be an overall improved group of players.

Promoting Lovie Smith as the head coach was a smart decision by the Texans because of the vast amount of experience he has being a coordinator and head coach in the past. He was the defensive coordinator in Houston last season, and will run that unit again this year.

Smith’s best decision yet was promoting Pep Hamilton to the offensive coordinator spot. If Hamilton can help bring the offense to the next level, the former QB coach of the Texans will have a lot of success from his young offensive roster, including the quarterback.

It is tough to not be excited about the potential of second-year quarterback Davis Mills because he showed so much poise and ability to improve his overall play during his first NFL season after being a third round pick by general manager Nick Caserio and Houston.

Mills had to play through some hard times in his two stints as starting QB last season, but in his second time around as the starter his play improved drastically, giving hope for the ’22 season.

The second-year quarterback has a lot to learn in ’22, but if he can show improvement from year one to year two, especially with some of the changes made on offense this offseason, the search for a long-term quarterback to replace Deshaun Watson could be over.

Texans: Wide receivers could put offense over the top in 2022

Speaking of the offense, though many don’t believe this team will win many games — they are coming off consecutive four-win seasons — the ’22 Texans have a different feeling because of some of the upgrades on offense.

The addition of rookie John Metchie III at wide receiver will pay dividends quickly once he’s fully healthy, gets accustomed to the NFL and playing football at a high level like he did at Alabama. Adding him with Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins on the outside at receiver, the offense of the Texans is much scarier than it was last season at wide receiver.

There is also the running backs of Marlon Mack and Dameon Pierce new to the roster, joining Rex Burkhead to make for a trio of rushers that will make folks look twice. This is a much improved running back group that what Houston had last season.

Mack has the abilities to be a 1,000-yard rusher if he can be the player he was before his ruptured Achilles in 2020. He played a little in his final season with the Colts in ’21, but as he’s now recovered from that injury, what’s exciting about him is seeing how good of a player he can be again.

The offensive line is better than it was last season with this being the possible starting lineup for Week 1: Laremy Tunsil (left tackle), rookie Kenyon Green (left guard), Justin Britt (center), A.J. Cann/Max Scharping (right guard), and Tytus Howard (right tackle).

That is a very formidable o-line and one that can make the rest of the offense better, because the success of any offense starts with a powerful and strong offensive line. The Texans might just have the offensive line that they’ve needed in past seasons.

At tight end the Texans have Brevin Jordan penciled in in a starting role as this will be his second season in the NFL after being a fifth round pick in ’21. Pharoah Brown could also become a starter for the Texans in ’22, as the battle at tight end will be special during the ’22 offseason, or at least it should be when training camp arrives.

As the offseason continues, more camps and practices take place, the Texans will keep improving as a football team. If the offense can play up to their potential they have on their side, expect much better play and results for Houston in ’22.