The Houston Texans (and more specifically) the Texans defense, finally have a glimmer of hope.
Hiring what some people considered to be the hottest Head Coaching candidate in 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans was a massive step in the right direction for a franchise that has been in disarray for at least the last 2 years.
General Manager Nick Caserio has done a solid job in drafting well and putting some much needed talent on this roster since being hired in 2021. That’s not to say he hasn’t had any mistakes, because he definitely has, but overall in 2 drafts he has done pretty well (hopefully rookie G Kenyon Green can turn the corner after a rough rookie campaign).
It isn’t all sunshine and unicorns though. The Texans still desperately need a franchise QB, which they most likely will draft when they select at #2 (or maybe #1, but that’s for another day). Ryans, along with newly hired offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, will need to groom and develop whichever QB they decide to select in April. The Texans defense has been pretty bad for the last 2 years (and even took a step back under former HC Lovie Smith). They need a lot of help over on that side of the ball, and thankfully that’s where DeMeco Ryans does his best work.
But still, what should we expect from a new, rebuilt Texans coaching staff and a very young defense? Honestly, i’m not exactly sure.
With DeMeco Ryans being a new age defensive oriented coach, I would expect the Houston Texans defense to be much improved immediately. Considering the Texans had the worst ranked rushing defense in the league (giving up 170 yards per game, the next worst team gave up 157 YPG). But, they also were the 10th ranked passing defense so that could be something to build off of for DeMeco Ryans and new defensive coordinator Matt Burke. Still though, this Texans defense could still use some big help on defense.
The Texans allowed the 3rd most total yards per game and also ranked 27th in PPG allowed under former Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Lovie Smith. For comparison, the 49ers allowed the least amount of YPG and ranked #1 in PPG Allowed under DeMeco Ryans.
Yes, I know. The 49ers have some DAWGS over there on defense. Fred Warner and Nick Bosa are the best players at their respective positions, the latter just having won DPOY. Not to mention some other players over there who are excellent, like Dre Greenlaw and and Talanoa Hufanga among many others.
The Texans have some talent on defense as well, although obviously not as much as the Niners. Jalen Pitre and Derek Stingley Jr are building blocks for a young defense that could be on the rise. I would expect the Texans to draft a pass rusher pretty early on in the draft this year since the Texans don’t have a good, young pass rusher that could be a disturbing force like Nick Bosa was for Ryans in San Francisco.
I expect the defense to receive an immediate boost regardless of the personnel just because of the system Ryans brings. Offensively, i’m not so sure that it’ll change as quickly (but that’s also for another time)
This Houston Texans defense needed a fresh face to call the shots for a few years now. They finally have their new face that could turn this defense around completely.