Houston Texans: Davis Mills will silence the doubters in 2022

Texans QB Davis Mills will silence the doubters in 2022.

In the 2021 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans selected a quarterback from Stanford in the third round and current starting quarterback Davis Mills. To some, this was a surprise because Deshaun Watson was a star, but Texans fans knew he wanted to leave and was willing to sit out until he was traded.

The drama made the Texans decide to select Mills with their first pick in the draft. Many thought Mills should have stayed in college for another year, but he entered the NFL Draft, and the Texans instantly snagged him and took the risk as soon as they could make a selection.

Coming out of Greater Atlanta Christian’s High School, Mills was the top quarterback recruit entering college. Mills committed to Stanford, following in Andrew Luck’s footsteps by attending Stanford.

Mills had big shoes to fill, and unfortunately, Mills only played 14 games because of injuries in his three-year career at Stanford. There were some shining moments where Mills showed his talent. Some projected Mills as the first quarterback off the board if he were to stay another year in college, but he entered the draft, and the Texans took the risk.

How did it pan out in his first year?

Mills did not start for the Texans as they signed Tyrod Taylor in the offseason. Mills had a challenging training camp but a few highlights and a lot of lowlights. Taylor started for the Texans but got injured, and Mills took over. Mills didn’t look great at first, but later in the season, he looked for real.

With all the drama surrounding the Texans of Watson wanting out and deciding to sit — and how that affected the team’s morale in the locker room — Mills had a rough situation to start in. It was impressive once Mills got comfortable in the offense.

The Texans had one, if not the worst, receiving core in the league last year. Besides Brandin Cooks, Mills had a few free agent additions and little experience in gaining chemistry with them. Mills displayed his talent against the Patriots, Titans and the Chargers, leading the Texans to a major upset.

Most of Mills’ interceptions came from early in the season when he was thrown in the fire due to Taylor’s injury. Mills cleaned up his mistakes and had a solid second half of the season that impressed the league and Texans fans in the final five games.

What can the Texans expect from Mills in 2022?

This upcoming season, we can expect Mills to massively improve. Mills had a strange rookie campaign that got better as he became more situated with the team.

Mills is mentally tough and doesn’t let mistakes bother him. He can read through his progressions very well, and with an improved offensive line, he will have much more time in the pocket to read the defense and place the ball where it needs to be.

This offseason, we have heard that his rapport with fellow rookie Nico Collins has improved, which should benefit the offense greatly. His connection with Cooks is already established, he’s improved his relationship with Collins, and now he has a new weapon in former Alabama standout John Metchie III.

Mills and the receiving core will be solid, not to mention tight end Brevin Jordan, who broke out near the end of last season and showed true potential as a good pass-catching tight end in this league, is there.

There is a lot to be excited about regarding Mills. Don’t forget that he has played one NFL season plus fewer games in college than the other quarterbacks who got drafted with him, which was an enormous challenge in his rookie year with the slow start.

For a reason, Mills was the first quarterback coming out of high school, and we are just seeing him scratch the surface of his potential. Mills could easily take the most significant jump forward this season over the other quarterbacks drafted.

Houston has improved on both ends, and now that offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton has taken over, you will see Mills and the Texans regain respect from around the league. Houston will be a legitimate contender in the AFC South this year, so be excited for Mills this season, Texans fans.