The Houston Texans’ ability to move the football and score points in 2022 was quite offensive.
The Texans were 31st in total offense and 30th in points scored. It is no wonder the team finished 3-13-1, fired coach Lovie Smith after a year, and gave offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton the boot as well.
With new coach DeMeco Ryans comes the promise of an offense at least similar to the San Francisco 49ers and the schemes of Kyle Shanahan. The Texans hired Bobby Slowik from the 49ers’ staff to be the next offensive coordinator.
However, there is a talent deficiency that has to be addressed, especially under center.
Davis Mills marginally improved in his second season, but he posted a 78.8 passer rating compared to an 88.8 rating as a third-round rookie. Good or bad, it was part of the Texans’ plan to see what they had from the Stanford product.
In Doug Farrar’s latest two-round mock at the Touchdown Wire, Houston invests in quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick and takes Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud. Houston presumably “misses out” on Alabama’s Bryce Young as the Indianapolis Colts trade with the Chicago Bears to move up from No. 4 overall to the top spot in the draft.
The Texans use their No. 12 overall pick — obtained via 2022 offseason trade with the Cleveland Browns — to grab TCU wideout Quentin Johnston. Regardless of what happens with Brandin Cooks or any other expectations among the receiving corps, Stroud will be working with third-year Nico Collins and a fellow rookie in Johnston.
No. 33 overall in Round 2 is an interesting selection. The Texans have premium beef on their offensive line in tackles Laremy Tunsil, Tytus Howard, and guard Kenyon Green — all former first-rounders. Houston essentially replaces A.J. Cann at right guard by taking Florida guard-tackle O’Cyrus Torrence. If nothing else the Texans have flexibility in the future should they need to back out of the Tunsil contract or allow Howard to walk at the end of the 2023 campaign.
For 2023, it means the Texans have a road-grading offensive line for running back Dameon Pierce and also an impenetrable wall behind which Stroud can survey his reads.
