Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans spoke for the first time since the start of the new league year at the annual NFL owners meeting on Monday.
His team looks a lot different over the past two weeks, too. From the massive signings for the defensive line to the key trades of running back Joe Mixon and defensive tackle Maliek Collins as well as the move out of the first round of the draft, Ryans will have a lot of new faces in the locker room in 2024.
Ryans explained all of those decisions and more. Here are the top six takeaways from his conversations with reporters.
Texans like the draft 'sweet spot'
Ryans had a very simple reason for why the Texans’ traded back from No. 23 to No. 42. They wanted to add more picks in a undervalued spot later in the draft. Houston also picked up a 2025 second-round pick in the trade and effectively moved up from the seventh to the sixth in 2024.
“We feel like in this draft there’s a large amount of players probably in that second to third, fourth round – a lot of guys right there that can really help our team,” Ryans said. “That’s where the, I say, the ‘sweet spot’ of the draft is this year.’”
Houston has hit on second and third round guys in the past. Tank Dell, Nico Collins and Christian Harris were all Day 2 players. With a couple of needs left, it made more sense to Ryans and company to acquire more draft capital to find more contributors on Day 2.
Okudah and Henderson deals all about youth at CB
The Texans signed two former 2020 first-round cornerbacks in Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson. Neither had lived up to their draft billing, but both are only 25 years old heading into the 2024 season. That youthful talent is what Ryans said the team coveted in free agency – not their original draft status.
“I see young, talented guys on tape,” Ryans said. “Long guys who can run and play sticky coverage. They just gotta be more consistent. Sometimes, guys just need a new scene. And hopefully, a change of scenery helps these guys out.”
Ryans added that “healthy competition” is crucial for the defensive depth, which sounds as if they could have a chance to compete for the starting role alongside Derek Stingley Jr. Regardless, Okudah and Henderson are a low-risk gamble by the Texans that their potential can be unlocked.
Adding to DL was an emphasis in free agency
The Texans completely overhauled their defensive line for 2024. Jonathan Greenard, Maliek Collins and Sheldon Rankins were replaced by Danielle Hunter, Denico Autry and plethora of other defensive lineman. That was all by design, according to Ryans, and an emphasis by him and the front office in free agency.
“Being able to add multiple guys that can move around and do a lot of different things just unlocks a lot of things for us from a schematic standpoint,” Ryans said. “I’m excited to see what those guys bring to our team.”
Hunter is the key, as his experience and production should pair nicely alongside 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Will Anderson Jr.
Texans were looking for an RB this offseason
Ryans confirmed the worst-kept secret of the offseason that Houston wanted to upgrade at the running back position this winter.
Reports swirled all winter about the Texans’ interest in the running back market. Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard, Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs were the top names linked to the Texans. Ultimately, Houston traded for and extended former Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon.
Ryans said he likes what Mixon brings to the table in terms of his experience, physicality and ball protection.
Tank Dell and Tytus Howard recovery update
Ryans provided a brief update on the status of two of the Texans’ key players for 2024 success: wide receiver Tank Dell and offensive tackle Tytus Howard. Dell suffered a season-ending broken fibula in Week 13, while Howard suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 12.
Both are expected to be fully recovered in time to play Week 1, per Ryans. Dell should be back for offseason practices, according to Ryans, while Howard is expected to return for training camp later this summer. Dell has already been doing a lot of physical training as his rehab ramps up.
Ryans expects 'huge jump' from Stroud
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud have a tremendous offseason. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year, attended several celebrity events, kept his offensive coordinator in Bobby Slowik and watched the Texans re-sign tight end Dalton Schultz before trading for Mixon.
All of that, plus another year in the NFL, means the bar is a bit higher for Stroud in 2024. And Ryans said he thinks Stroud can reach that and make a “huge jump” because he doesn’t have to learn a new playbook and can instead work on the small aspects of his play - including his mechanics.
