The Houston Texans had an extremely successful 2023 campaign.
They cruised to a 10-7 record under new head coach DeMeco Ryans and captured several accolades along the way. They won the AFC South and won a playoff game for the first time since the 2019 season. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud won PFWA’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, rookie edge rusher Will Anderson won PFWA’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, and even Ryans took home hardware with PFWA’s Coach of the Year.
With a revamped team effort that led to dramatic improvements compared to both the 2021 and 2022 Texans, it’s worth examining who created that impact this past season and what their future projects moving forward.
This series has taken a look at defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, running back Devin Singletary, rookie receiver Tank Dell, and veteran tackle George Fant, and upstart linebacker Blake Cashman.
Entering the top 10, we took a closer look at cornerback Steven Nelson and now transition to breakout second-year linebacker Christian Harris.
Background
Christian Harris was selected 75th overall in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft by general manager Nick Caserio and then-head coach Lovie Smith. The team coveted his natural athletic ability at linebacker and was hopeful to see the fruits of a player that had debuted as a freshman All-SEC linebacker.
He had 74 total tackles in 2022, with 11 starts, while his role grew gradually. When Houston opted to fire Smith and pivot to former franchise start DeMeco Ryans, expectations soared. Ryans, a former All-Pro linebacker himself for Houston, had developed Fred Warner in San Francisco into one of the league’s best and Harris was an obvious ball of clay to work with.
Christian Harris was stealth here. #Texans
Sat perfectly into zone, undercut pass intended for TE Bryant.
**Notice Stingley reaction slightly before Harris picks it, he knows 😝
BTW – love the action of Pitre (takes flat)/Sting (takes deep third) coverage on this play. pic.twitter.com/OCV0BT92WE
— Shaun Bijani (@ShaunBijani) January 14, 2024
Harris entered 2023 training camp as the starting weakside linebacker next to a veteran addition in middle linebacker Denzel Perryman.
2023 Performance
Harris broke out in a desperately needed way in 2023. He finished the season with 100 total tackles and two sacks, he was only behind Blake Cashman as the team’s leading tackler. Most importantly, he became the linebacker that seldom ever left the field for the Texans. His impact in both the run and passing defense was felt immensely.
The NFL’s worst rushing defense had been multi-factorial in 2022 but a part of that was certainly the linebacker play. Harris played a big part in the team’s growth in that element with his overall violence as a hitter and his sideline-to-sideline play. Fans will remember him frequently crushing running back Derrick Henry in their first win over the Titans when Henry finished with 16 carries for just nine yards.
Christian Harris: career-high 91.0 PFF grade vs. the Browns 😤 pic.twitter.com/MGM7UR7z96
— PFF HOU Texans (@PFF_Texans) January 15, 2024
In the passing game, it was a year of growth. The linebackers for Houston struggled all year but the Texans finally began to see Coach Ryans and Harris’ hard work break through in the playoffs. Against the Cleveland Browns, Harris read quarterback Joe Flacco perfectly to jump a route for a pick-six to turn the game into a blowout. Against Lamar Jackson, he not only aided in coverage but was tasked with the task of spying and did a great job when allowed.
It’s harder to say that 2023 could have gone any better for Harris.
2024 Projection
“Harris County.”
Anytime you earn a nickname in professional sports, the odds are generally that you’re doing something right.
Harris established himself as a key starter on defense in 2023 and will be a huge part of the unit moving forward into next year. Year 3 will be his chance to take yet another leap potentially from good player into stardom alongside his peers Will Anderson and Derek Stingley.
Christian Harris has been delightful the last two months.
He’s a future All-Pro in this defense. All the talent in the world and he’s so clearly willing to put in the work that DeMeco Ryans has taught him #WeAreTexans
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) January 20, 2024
If Harris improves in coverage and the team can find better supporting linebacker play around him, the sky is the limit for what he’ll be able to accomplish while with Coach Ryans. It’s uncertain at this point who will be tasked to play next to Harris and if that will be a younger player like a rookie or an older veteran signed in free agency.
Regardless of his running mates, Harris will be expected to be a leader and a potential star for the 2024 defense. He’s one more impact defender that Houston has to have if they want to pursue their Super Bowl dreams.
