The 2023 NFL season is less than two weeks away and the Houston Texans are ready to begin their first season under first-time head coach DeMeco Ryans. The national media has said the Texans' receiving corps is the worst in the league. Few expect this team to win more than maybe five games.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not sitting here with rose-colored glasses and proclaiming this team a Super Bowl contender; however, there are several things that fans can get excited about, including possibly even a run at a division title. That might be more of a knock on the division itself and not so much the Texans but doesn't matter, just have to win the division.
I've been watching the Texans closely throughout the offseason and preseason and I don't want to give away the things that most excite me about the Houston Texans, but I promise, fans should get behind this team, and support them this season. I know there is a contingency of fans who are already getting down on the team for cutting Desmond King III and Christian Kirksey go but both of these players I did not include on my 53-man roster projection either.
Let's has fans step back and look at the positives and not worry too much about what we think GM Caserio and Coach Ryans should have done and allow this thing to play out as they rebuild this team. But with that, let's get into five things fans should be excited about with the 2023 Houston Texans.
The Houston Texans might have found their franchise quarterback
Stroud began Week One of the preseason and looked every bit of a rookie quarterback who wasn't sure what he was doing and was not comfortable. In his defense, the Texans' offensive line did not do him any favors in protection. Stroud didn't play much in that first game either.
As the preseason went along, Stroud started looking better with each week. He got his first NFL touchdown in preseason Week Three against the New Orleans Saints. He looks comfortable now and is developing what appears to be solid chemistry with his receivers.
I wouldn't expect Stroud to throw for 4,000 yards and 30-plus touchdowns but that's not what the Texans need from him. His strength is his accuracy and if he can hit the open guy, let them make plays, and rely on the ground game, he'll do just fine in year one.
Will Anderson Jr is all the hype and more
The Houston Texans have their defensive star in Will Anderson Jr. and will wreak havoc on the NFL this season. He will likely win Defensive Rookie of the Year and be a stud on the Texans' defense for years to come.
Anderson recorded one sack in the preseason on only 24 snaps, 15 of which were pass plays. PFF graded Anderson's pass rush an amazing 91.2; however, his run defense was scored a 61.9, not terrible but not great. This is an area of his game that he'll improve as the season goes on. His pass-rushing skills are what landed him as the third overall pick.
Anderson Jr. will have a phenomenal rookie season and as I said, could very well be the Defensive Rookie of the Year. If I was a betting man, I'd put money on him winning the award. He will record double-digit sacks and be among the league leaders.
Duo of Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary will be among the best
I'm going to say this all season long until it comes to fruition and when it does, I'm going to say I called it. The Houston Texans will have a top-ten rushing attack this season and will be a huge reason this team will compete within the division.
Pierce was nearly a 1,000-yard rusher last season as a rookie and would have achieved that milestone if not for a late-season injury. Singletary has consistently rushed for over 800 yards in multiple seasons and has been the RB1 in one of the NFL's top offenses over the last few years.
As long as the Texans' offensive line can open up some rushing lanes for these two, they will be a dominant force and give defenses trouble, which will help Stroud as well, as he can lean on the ground game and should help open up the passing game too.
The Houston Texans will have a solid defense
The Texans did a great job in the draft but also in free agency. I don't think it's by accident the majority of Houston's free agent signings were on the defensive side of the ball. The additions of Sheldon Rankins and Jimmie Ward were huge additions that will help the Texans defense, which was horrible last season.
The presence of Will Anderson Jr. can not be overstated either. He will elevate this pass rush to elite levels, which will allow Jonathan Greenard to make plays as well. He will see a large number of one-on-ones, while the opposing offense will be focused on Anderson and Rankins occupying blocks.
The safety tandem of Ward and Jalen Pitre will be one of the top tandems in the NFL. As a rookie, Pitre was fantastic and Ward's presence will only help Pitre to further develop his game. Derek Stingley Jr. should make significant strides this year as well, as he returns from the injury that sidelined him midway through last season.
It's a longshot but this team could compete for a division title
Basically, everything I just laid out previously is why this team can compete for a division title. When all those are considered and we look at the AFC South, it's not too far-fetched to believe in the Houston Texans in 2023.
The biggest concern I have with this possibility is the Texans' offensive line. They've struggled at times this preseason; however, the addition of Josh Jones should help, particularly if they decide to move him back inside at guard. If this line can open holes for the running backs consistently and protect Stroud, this offense can be productive.
Houston's defense will keep this team in games on most weeks, be competitive, and not get pushed around. Just so we are clear though, I don't see the Texans as one of the top teams in the AFC and would not have much of a chance against the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, or Buffalo Bills. They are not there yet, but there is no question that Caserio and Ryans have this team heading in the right direction, finally.