[jwplayer 4FTAhJs1]
The Houston Texans’ trading of three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins is the biggest demarcation of the 2020 offseason. Some USA TODAY Sports colleagues start with that decision as the focal point of all evaluation when it comes to the AFC South champions.
However, the Texans have improved in at least four areas since trading Nuk.
1. Running back
Realistically speaking, the Texans had an A grade in their receiving corps with Hopkins but a C grade with their running back stable. Though they took a hit to their receiving corps getting rid of Hopkins, by adding David Johnson, they did improve.
Before you say that Johnson is done and point out his 345 rushing yards through 13 games last year, consider the Texans traded for a running back last year who rushed for 571 yards through 14 games between two teams in 2018. The back was going to turn 29 years old by Week 4, and this player had never rushed for 1,000 yards in his career. That back turned out to be Carlos Hyde, and he produced 1,070 yards as a quick replacement for Lamar Miller.
Bill O’Brien’s undying commitment to establishing the run will give a veteran back a chance to reclaim his lost glory. Johnson is in the right offense to have a renaissance.