Tag: DeMeco Ryans

TeX’s and O’s: Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry is Houston’s dream draft trade

If the Houston Texans were to make a trade back into the first round, Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry might be the asking price.

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio put it bluntly when asked about the roster heading into Thursday’s NFL draft.

“We feel as we sit here today if we had to go out there and play a game, we would be able to put a team out there and not have to rely on the draft necessarily to add player,” the veteran GM said last week.

For a team as talented as the Texans, the draft is a boost, but not necessarily a need when it comes to adding talent. The former became especially evident after Caserio decided to ship Houston’s first-round pick (No. 23) to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for two second-round selections, including pick No. 42.

After hitting on prospects in consecutive drafts, along with adding a star-studded cast in free agency this offseason, the Texans feel unlikely to find a high-level, immediate contributor in the draft beginning Thursday night. Unless, of course, Caserio can’t help himself and trades up. He even mentioned the possibility at that same press conference,

“We have nine picks, as of Thursday night,” Caserio said. “We’ll see if that changes or stays static. Given our history, it will probably change at some point”

The Texans have aggressively traded up in the past two seasons for coveted prospects, including Will Anderson Jr., Tank Dell, Juice Scruggs, and Christian Harris. If Caserio wants to continue his annual draft tradition and ensure that Houston has an opportunity to find that immediate contributor for a Super Bowl run, he had to know now which player is worth the price.

University of Alabama cornerback Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry feels like the safest bet for that title.

McKinstry, a 5-star recruit out of high school, started three years for the Crimson Tide under legendary head coach Nick Saban. This past season, the junior totaled 32 total tackles and seven passes defended. The year prior, he finished with  35 tackles and an SEC-leading 15 pass breakups.

McKinstry was solid, if unspectacular, at the NFL combine with a 4.47 40-yard dash and an overall “Relative Athletic Score” of 7.55 at his position. Along with a slight dip in production, plus an uncompelling athletic profile, McKinstry’s draft status remains uncertain behind prospects like Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell and Alabama teammate Terrion Arnold.

If he were to suffer a draft day slide, the film suggests that Caserio should not hesitate to pull the trigger and move up to select the Alabama defender.

To begin, McKinstry is as good as it gets in the class in man coverage. He’s excellent in press at using his hands to disrupt receivers’ routes and he has the requisite speed to keep pace with nearly any player on the field.

Texas receiver Xavier Worthy may have broken the NFL combine’s 40-yard dash record at 4.21 seconds, but he could run away from McKinstry after a muddied release.

McKinstry’s athletic profile and hand usage are even further complimented by his awareness. His ability to read the quarterback not only allows him to make plays on the football but also transition downfield as needed. He is an exceptionally high-IQ football player with a great awareness and understanding of what is happening on the field.

This played out how one could only imagine within the season. Last fall, McKinstry logged 122 coverage snaps that qualified as man coverage and allowed just three receptions.

Although better at man coverage, McKinstry’s awareness and overall athleticism translate to adequate play when asked to line up in zone formations. He’s able to punish opposing quarterbacks by telegraphing their decisions and has exceptional closing speed against receivers in space.

In the play above, McKinstry shows how quickly can maneuver within his assignment to close the gap against receivers. It also shows his attentiveness to monitoring the running back after Worthy is motioned away from the line.

Against the run, McKinstry could help with the “SWARM.” He’s a willing tackler and capable of bringing down more physical backs in space when tasked to do so.

This play below against Michigan’s Blake Corum is exemplary of what McKinstry’s play style against the run.

There’s no such thing as a perfect player, and McKinstry comes with his flaws.

In Week 2’s loss against Texas, there were multiple high points and a slew of low moments. Against Worth, McKinstry looked exceptional.

Against fellow Longhorns draft prospect Adonai Mitchell, there was much to be desired. He’s notably a different player when tasked to play man coverage or press compared to off-ball zone schemes.

Teams must be patient if asked to translate over to the latter in most designs, though he should be an upgrade in man formations.

While his willingness has been praised by coaches and teammates, McKinstry’s run defense is a default setting and often plays more like a safety net. He’s content watching runs play out from afar, only willing to lay into the runner as the last line of defense.

That’s not necessarily negative. Corners are often regarded for their coverage ability, and McKinstry shines there. Fans, however, shouldn’t expect to see him make plays against screens or highlight tackles like Arnold or Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristil.

These concerns, notably, would factor well into the Texans’ current infrastructure.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans seems to be signaling the team will play more man coverage this year, as evidenced by the signings of free agent cornerbacks Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson. It’s even more believable when considering the emergence of Derek Stingley Jr. as a lock-down, traveling cornerback last year.

McKinstry could ideally slide to a man-heavy scheme and thrive. Having another cornerback who stands out when asked to play in man coverage would allow Houston to lean fully into Stingley’s traveling persona.

It also would cover up some deficiencies that plagued the roster at times from the linebacker spot.

Houston doesn’t necessarily need McKinstry to be an elite tackler flying downhill against the run. They have a strong defensive that can control the gaps, thus opening up lanes for linebackers Christian Harris and Azeez Al-Shaair.

Trusting McKinstry as a last resort seems manageable after three seasons in the SEC. And should Stingley miss a game or two, McKinstry should keep the secondary afloat in coverage.

McKinstry’s regarded as a Day 1 prospect, so it would likely have to take a draft day tumble for him to land in a Battle Red or new H-Town Blue uniform next season. Even then, Caserio would have to be willing to part ways with draft compensation to move up for his services.

If there’s any prospect Houston should be willing to compromise for, McKinstry checks every box. Now, he just has to check the range.

NC State All-American LB Payton Wilson visits Texans for top 30 visit

Payton Wilson, one of the top linebacker prospects in the upcoming draft, recently visited the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.

Linebacker has been a position linked to the Houston Texans as a potential Day 2 option. General manager Nick Caserio might know what type of player he’s looking for up the middle.

North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson recently visited the Texans for a top 30 visit, according to KPRC2 Sports Aaron Wilson. Payton Wison is expected to be one of the first linebackers selected after three dominant seasons with the Wolf Pack.

Wilson dominated in his final season at NC State, earning All-American honors while winning ACC Defensive Player of the Year. In 13 games, Wilson totaled 138 tackles, 17.5 for loss, six sacks, three interceptions, a defensive touchdown and a forced fumble.

The fifth-year senior was more than a one-year phenom in Raleigh. In 2020, he recorded 108 tackles, 11.5 for loss, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions. A year later, he notched 82 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and one interception.

Wilson also won the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s top overall defensive player. He also led the ACC in tackles in both 2020 and 2023.

At last month’s combine, Wilson solidified his draft stock as a top-three linebacker prospect, posting a 40-time of 4.33 seconds. He also posted a 34.5-inch vertical leap and a 9-foot-11 broad jump.

The Texans addressed the starting linebacker needs with the acquisition of former Titans’ standout Azeez Al-Shaair. They also return Christian Harris following a breakout season.

Second-year coach DeMeco Ryans will implement three linebacker sets. Outside of Al-Shaair and Harris, Henry To’oTo’o is the only player with a decent rep count.

The Texans, who own nine picks in next week’s draft, also hosted former Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper on a visit earlier this month.

Nick Caserio reveals why Texans wanted WR Stefon Diggs

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio knows that Stefon Diggs is one of the league’s top receivers, which is why he’s now C.J. Stroud’s new top target.

Stefon Diggs has been one of the NFL’s most productive receivers for nearly a decade.

He’s also been one of the most talked-about players given his brash personality on the field and social media.

The former, however, is why the Houston Texans were adamant about acquiring him for the 2024 season as the next top target for Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud. As for the ladder, the organization isn’t concerned about his past stops or previous problems.

“He’s an experienced player, he’s been productive, he’s instinctive, he has good hands,” Texans executive vice president and general manager Nick Caserio said Thursday. “Our system is maybe a little bit different than the system he was in in Buffalo, but he was as productive as any player in the league.”

The Texans traded for Diggs on April 3, sending a 2025 second-round pick acquired from the Minnesota Vikings to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for the four-time Pro Bowler. Now in Houston, Diggs joins a passing attack headlined by breakout target Nico Collins, second-year standout Tank Dell and tight end Dalton Schultz. 

There’s reason for optimism, but also skepticism, especially given how Diggs’ tenure ended at his previous locations. In Minnesota, he reportedly asked for a trade after seeing a drop-off in his role with the offense.

After four productive years in Buffalo as Josh Allen’s No. 1 target, tensions rose following a decline in his numbers. Diggs, 30, was off to a hot start in 2023 with five 100-yard outings. After Week 6, he never came close to that marker for the rest of the year.

While some have labeled Diggs a “diva,” Caserio mentioned that was never an issue. The only persona that mattered to Houston was his on-field one and how he could add another element to the defending AFC South champs’ offense.

“Candidly, I think it’s unfair to label anybody until they actually have an opportunity to walk in the building,” Caserio said. “Again, our environment is different than another environment, so we really don’t know what’s going on in 31 other buildings. We know what’s going on in our building. We are excited to have Stef here.”

Caserio made sure to cross off every reason for concern before finalizing a trade. He and coach DeMeco Ryans dug well past Diggs’ fit in the offense, checking in with former teammates about his locker room presence and demeanor.

For Houston, this offseason was built around Stroud, who led the league in passing yards per game (274) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (23-5) while guiding the team to its first division title in four years. Much like Buffalo in 2020, the Texans wanted to add a proven playmaker to fortify any apprehension of regression following a postseason berth.

Allen’s gone on to become one of the league’s top quarterbacks after a pair of underwhelming seasons to start his career. Stroud is further along in his progression that the Bills’ gunslinger was entering Year 2, and could be a favorite to win league MVP later this year.

Diggs, who’s posted six 1,000-yard seasons since 2019, was a key element in locking Allen’s potential in Orchard Park. He won’t have to be the offensive top weapon in Houston, but rather a promising supporting cast member opposite Collins, Dell, Schultz, Joe Mixon and John Metchie III.

“He’s been a great player in this league for a long time,” Ryans said Monday. “He is well-respected. He’s been a great teammate; he’s been a leader and a captain.

“He changes games for the teams he’s been a part of, and we’re anticipating the same thing for us.”

DeMeco Ryans, players excited for fans to see Texans’ new uniforms

The Houston Texans are about to have a new look and players are excited for fans to see their fresh new uniforms.

Will Anderson Jr. was asked what he thought about the new uniforms before their launch to the public next Tuesday evening. The reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year smiled, then put his index finger over his mouth.

“Shhh…” said the Houston Texans’ star defensive end as a few chuckles filled the media room at NRG Stadium.

Anderson, the fun-loving, quarterback-hunter defender, later gave a more detailed answer without giving away too much information.

“I think they’re dope,” Anderson said. “I think it really just gives back to the Houston community and I think it does a good job of getting the community back involved in football. Back involved with the Texans brand of ball and I’m really excited for everyone to see them. I’m really excited for everyone to see what we have going on here.”

After two-plus decades of the same look, the Texans are getting a well-earned makeover. It’s a new era for the franchise under a longtime favorite DeMeco Ryans, so it’s only fitting the team looks fresh to complement their new approach.

Ryans, the mastermind behind Houston’s six-win turnaround and postseason berth, remembers back in his playing days wearing the Battle Red and Steel Blue uniform combo in front of screaming fans on Sundays. He lasted suited up at NRG Stadium in 2012, but the jerseys have been a constant.

“It’s 2024, time for a fresh look for the Texans,” said Ryans. “I know we’ve had the same uniforms since our organization started here in 2002. I was messing with the guys earlier, talking about how I wore the same uniform that they’re wearing, and I think it’s time for an update.”

Texans Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications Doug Vosik was tasked to come up with a new design that would best encapsulate Houston and its city. The project began back in 2022, with a few different marketing designs being released over time.

One major detail that was implemented in the new apparel was a stylized H or ‘H-Town’ design on the back. That became the baseline incorporating a new logo along with the famous bull head that resides on the helmets.

“Fans challenged us back a little bit and they said, ‘When I wear Texans gear, I’m repping my city. We love repping the H when it comes to Texans gear. What do y’all think of that, Texans?,’ ” Vosik said in a video released by the team. “So, we poked a little bit more and said, ‘Do you just want a new H on more hats, hoodies and shirts? ‘ And some of them challenged us pretty clearly and said, maybe it would be cool if that was somehow on a sleeve or on the back of a jersey or how do you bring that H identity, rep the H, into the uniform? And we took that challenge very seriously when the fans told us that.”

https://twitter.com/TexansCommenter/status/1779940600084590964

The Texans involved their fan council, along with staff members, media members and current and former players to get input and ideas, incorporating much of that feedback, which included 10,000 surveys and more than 30 focus groups, into the uniform redesign.

Last month, a small group of fans, local media members and Texans players were able to see the uniforms in person. Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud said H-Town should enjoy the new look as it’ll bring a new energy to a rejuvenated franchise.

“I’m super excited just to be wearing new stuff,” said Stroud. “I liked the unis last year too, but I think it’s time for change and it’s a new era now. We’ll be able to build with these unis and look good while doing it.”

Texans owner Cal McNair confirmed the photo leak on social media of a model wearing the team’s new road uniforms was true, but decided to up bring in a bit more fire.

Instead of simply confirming the uniform, McNair posted a photograph on Reddit of receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell wearing the new threads.

“The uniforms looked a lot better on them,” McNair said at the owner’s meetings last month in Orlando, Fla. “They’re excited to put them on and show them off and we’re excited for the fans to see those. We just felt like it was the right thing to be transparent and straight-on and address it.”

All four uniforms for the defending AFC South champions will be unveiled at the team’s official uniform release party on Tuesday, April 23, at the 713 Music Hall starting at 6:30 p.m.

Texans HC DeMeco Ryans named to Senior Bowl 2024 Hall of Fame class

DeMeco Ryans will forever represent the Houston Texans and Alabama Crimson Tide as a member of the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame.

DeMeco Ryans is going to the Hall of Fame.

The one in Mobile, Alabama, and not Canton, Ohio, just to clarify.

The second-year Houston Texans coach and former Pro Bowl linebacker was named to the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame. Ryans, a former standout for the University of Alabama, became a sensation down at Ladd-Peebles Stadium during the 2006 Senior Bowl.

“Being from Alabama, it was a huge honor to get the invite and participate in the 2006 Senior Bowl,” Ryans said in a statement. “I’m thankful to have played my last collegiate game in front of my home state fans. This game provided me a pivotal opportunity as a draft prospect to prove myself against the best competition in college football. Now as a coach, I continue to follow the game closely to evaluate the top talent in the draft each year. Now, as a coach, I continue to follow the game closely to evaluate the top talent in the draft each year. This game helped me as a player many years ago, and it is still assisting players in reaching their dream of playing in the NFL.”

Ryans was one of five inductees for the Class of 2024, joining Marty Lyons (1979), Carson Palmer (2003), Eric Weddle (2007) and Roddy White (2005).

A second-round pick for the Texans in 2006, Ryans would go on to win Defensive Rookie of the Year under first-year coach Gary Kubiak. A year later, he’d earn first-team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl nomination.

Ryans spent six seasons in Houston before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. He retired in 2015 and almost immediately caught the coaching bug, joining the 49ers’ staff in 2017.

Hired by the McNairs last offseason, Ryans was the architect for the team’s turnaround after a woeful three seasons. Houston was on its fourth coach in four years after Bill O’Brien, David Culley and Lovie Smith combined for 11 wins in three years.

Headlined by Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud, the Texans coasted to a 10-7 regular-season record and their first division title in four years. Ryans, who finished second in AP Coach of the Year voting, became the seventh coach since 2019 to improve by at least six wins since the previous year.

Houston also secured its first playoff win since 2019 with a victory over the Browns in the wild-card round.

Ryans and the Texans will look to build off their dominant first season in 2024 and should be considered an AFC favorite. Entering next week’s draft, the Texans have the seventh-best odds to win this year’s Super Bowl, according to BetMGM.

TeX’s and O’s: Georgia Safety Javon Bullard could bring physicality to secondary

The Houston Texans could be in the market for a safety this draft cycle, and Georgia’s Javon Bullard fits the bill.

The Houston Texans are ready to contend.

Coming off an 11-8 campaign, general manager Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans have had a spectacular start to the off-season and have brought in players with Super Bowl optimism.

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, edge rusher Danielle Hunter, running back Joe Mixon, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and defensive tackle Denico Autry headline a group that’s propelled the Texans into five-five odds. The team appears ready to compete with one large caveat

Is the defensive secondary ready?

The current projected starting safety duo was hit-and-miss throughout the division-winning campaign. Veteran Jimmie Ward missed multiple games due to injury, ending the year on the reserve list. Jalen Pitre regressed from his breakout rookie campaign, especially in man coverage.

Houston may be ready to run ample man coverage looks with star corner Derek Stingley Jr. and newcomers Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson, but they’ll need a constant security net over the top if expecting better results.

Safety has been on the mind of Caserio. Three have visited NRG Stadium this past month, including Georgia’s Javon Bullard, perhaps the best fit for Ryans’ man-heavy scheme.

Bullard, a two-year starter for the Bulldogs, often was tasked with high-leverage roles under Kirby Smart’s man-based unit. He had 56 tackles, seven passes breakups and two interceptions last season in Athens. He also was named the Nation Championship game’s MVP during the team’s title run in 2022.

His pre-draft run has been equally impressive. Bullard was named the top safety of the Reeses’ Senior Bowl practices and impressed NFL teams throughout the week in Mobile, Ala.

Additionally, he had a strong performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he ran a 4.47 40-yard dash and tied together a strong 8.24 “Relative Athletic Score.”

It should come as no surprise that Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke are interested in potentially seeing the Bulldog product supplemented to the ‘SWARM’ persona. The film shows an instinctive player in coverage who isn’t afraid to crash violently and support the run.

The FIT

Bullard is comfortable playing on the back end, reading out plays, and positioning himself well when asked to defend the run and on passing concepts. He may start the following play farther off the line of scrimmage than any of his fellow defenders, but Bullard is quick to see it and react.

 

These instincts allowed Bullard to be a plus player in the run game and he was a reliable tackler if running backs managed to get past Georgia’s formidable front seven.

That same ability to trigger downhill also allows Bullard to make highlight plays on the football. He had four interceptions in his final two seasons with Georgia. That can largely be attributed to how he dissects plays.

Defensive backs coach Dino Vasso should love the attentiveness and pursuit angles Bullard presents downfield, but also the physicality when asked to guard receivers.

This play against Florida shows Bullard at his best. The safety reads the quarterback early, flies downhill to the developing slant route, and crushes the receiver to prevent a first down. The ability to recognize passing concepts and punish targets will be one of Bullard’s best assets at the NFL level.

The CONCERN

While a promising player, Bullard’s not a finished product. He tends to launch at plays he recognizes, which can also leave him in poor position should he misread the coverage.

Earlier in that same contest against Florida, a similar concept was drawn up. Instead of making a highlight tackle, Bullard took a bad angle in coverage, leading to a Gators’ touchdown.

In terms of character, Bullard isn’t a slouch. In The Athletics’ draft analyst Dane Brugler’s “The Beast,” he found glowing commentary on the safety including that, “High school and college coaches agree that he has a future in coaching, because of his mental toughness” and that he was “Regarded as one of the team leaders in the Georgia locker room.”

Bullard is a motivated player and a good athlete tasked with handling free safety responsibilities as the last line of defense for a proven championship-caliber program. His football IQ and attentiveness for sniffing out plays suggest he’s someone well-prepared to play at the next level.

THE ROLE

In Ryans’ defense, Bullard could plug in immediately next to Ward or Pitre and serve as a reliable coverage safety who brings a new element of physicality to any secondary.

Additionally, his presence could allow Pitre to play closer to the box on running downs and potentially create a better role for the third-year Baylor product. Pitre, a former second-round pick, won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year while lined up in the STAR position under a similar defensive formation.

Bullard is a very realistic draft target for Houston during the 2nd round, either at pick No. 42 or pick No. 59. It would be far-fetched to imagine Bullard falling out of the second round, let alone to Houston at pick No. 86 midway through Round 3.

Whether Caserio and Ryans believe he could require a trade up, or are content to wait for him where they currently sit, is yet to be seen.

What’s certain is that Bullard could bring a sense of dependability and physicality that Houston desperately needs for its Super Bowl chase.

DeMeco Ryans on Texans’ expecations: ‘we’re always hunting’

Even after a productive offseason, DeMeco Ryans knows the Texans must back up the hype if they hope to win it all in 2024.

The Houston Texans were one of the biggest offseason winners, but it means little if they can’t capitalize in 2024.

Second-year coach DeMeco Ryans loves the direction his team is headed following an 11-8 season capped off by a playoff win over the Cleveland Browns. Now as a favorite to win the AFC, expectations have risen to new heights following three lackluster seasons and 11 combined wins.

That doesn’t mean Houston can get complacent with its attitude despite being ‘hunted’ by other conference foes.

“We’re always hunting. That doesn’t change for us,” Ryans said Monday at the start of voluntary workouts. “Expectations on the outside, whatever that may be, it doesn’t change who we are. The expectation from the outside doesn’t permeate inside our building.”

The Texans were one of the league’s more aggressive teams this offseason after securing their first division title in four years, spending $178.5 million this offseason in guaranteed money. They inked multi-year deals with Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter, defensive lineman Denico Autry, and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.

Houston also didn’t wait to play hardball in free agency at running back and receiver. After missing out on Saquon Barkley, the Texans traded a seventh-round pick to acquire Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon, and later signed him to a three-year extension.

General manager Nick Caserio wasn’t done yet. After trading out of the first round, Houston used a 2025 second-round pick acquired by the Minnesota Vikings to land Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs, thus fortifying the offense with two veterans around a young foundation.

“He has a lot of wisdom that he carries that I think he’ll spread to other guys,” quarterback C.J. Stroud said of Diggs. “He’s been reaching out to really everybody, and I think that whole room in general is going to be great. I think we’re all going to eat off each other.”

Diggs, a six-time 1,000-yard receiver, will be playing for a new contract after the Texans voided the final three years of his deal. He’ll still earn $22.5 million after Houston added $3.5 million to his annual salary, but the former All-Pro is looking to show the NFL he hasn’t lost a step.

Those inside the building believe there’s plenty left in the tank despite a sluggish finish to last season’s playoff run.

“The guy’s been an All-Pro player, been a Pro Bowl player, over 1,000 yards for multiple seasons,” Ryans said. “So, we’re excited about adding Diggs to our team.”

The Texans are looking to expand a breakout first season behind Stroud and Ryans. Drafted No. 2 overall, Stroud took home Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after leading the league in passing yards per game (237.3) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (23-5).

Fellow draftee Will Anderson Jr. won Defensive Rookie of the Year after breaking J.J. Watt’s franchise first-year sack record (7.0) while earning Pro Bowl honors. Players like Hunter, Diggs, Mixon and Al-Shaair are supposed to elevate the young duo to new levels, though that’s only on paper for now.

As a roster, the Texans have to prove they mean business, and it starts with workouts this week at NRG Stadium.

“Talk doesn’t win games,” said Ryans. “We have to go out and play good football when that time comes.”

C.J. Stroud breaks down thoughts on Texans’ trade for Stefon Diggs

C.J. Stroud was still sleeping when the Houston Texans traded for Stefon Diggs, but he’s wide awake on building a relationship in 2024.

C.J. Stroud was still asleep back home in Los Angeles when his phone started to ring. Multiple friends began to text him about how he felt. 

While in in daze, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year responded with a few ‘I’m good fam, how bout you’ texts before rolling back over to catch a few more minutes of slumber, 

Eventually, Stroud woke up, went to the bathroom, and brushed his teeth. There, he found out why everyone was asking how he was doing. They weren’t checking in, but rather wondering about his feelings toward the Houston Texans’ trade for Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs. 

“I was very excited,” a delighted Stroud said Monday at the start of voluntary workouts.

Traded to Houston in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick, Diggs headlines as the new top target for the reigning AFC South champions. He won’t be alone in the passing attack for Stroud entering Year 2, but he is the most proven among those expected to compete for starting reps. 

Since 2015, Diggs has been one of the league’s top targets. He’s posted six consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns, dating back to his time with the Minnesota Vikings. In four years with the Buffalo Bills, the Pro Bowler hauled in at least 103 passes, including a league-leading 127 catches in 2020. 

“He’s been a great player in this league for a long time, well respected,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s been a great teammate, he’s been a leader, a captain. And, when you look at him and watch the tape … no one doubts the playmaker that he is.” 

With Diggs and new running back Joe Mixon in the fold, Houston looks poised to make a deep run for the postseason. Behind Stroud’s record-setting rookie campaign, the Texans won the AFC South for the first time in four years before pulling off the upset against the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round. 

Diggs, 30, won’t be the only top target at NRG Stadium like at times in Orchard Park for All-Pro quarterback Josh Allen. Nico Collins broke onto the scene with over 1,200 receiving yards last season. Rookie Tank Dell and veteran Dalton Schultz also posted stellar seasons amid a top-10 finish in the passing game. 

“I think we have a lot of potential,” said Stroud. “A ton of guys who have played a lot of meaningful ball. A lot of guys who can do different things with the ball, which is amazing.”

While Diggs finished with over 1,100 receiving yards last season, his production dipped in the second half. After posting five 100-yard games in the first six weeks, he never posted another triple-digit outing following the firing of offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. 

In two combined playoff games, he finished with 10 catches for 73 yards. 

Those around the organization, including Ryans, believe Diggs is only getting started. He should be hungry entering a contract year after the Texans elected to void the final three years of a $102 million extension signed with the Bills in April 2022. 

“The guy has been an All-Pro player, he’s been a Pro Bowl player, over 1,000 yards for multiple seasons,” said Ryans. “So, we’re excited about adding Diggs to our team.”

Stroud, who became the fifth rookie passer to throw for over 4,000 yards in their first season, said he and Diggs first connected at the Pro Bowl back in February. He didn’t know at the time they’d later be partnering up for a Super Bowl run two months later. 

While Diggs hasn’t met with the media yet, he’s already built a rapport with Stroud and several other Texans’ teammates. The former No. 2 pick hosted Diggs, Dell, and third-year receiver John Metchie out in California to run drills before the start of workouts.  

“He has a lot of wisdom that he carries that I think he’ll spread to other guys,” Stroud said of Diggs. “He’s been reaching out to really everybody, and I think that whole room in general is going to be great. I think we’re all going to eat off each other.”

Entering next week’s draft, the Texans have the seventh-best odds to win this year’s Super Bowl, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

DeMeco Ryans excited to reunite with new Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair

A year after proving his capabilities as a full-time starter, Azeez Al-Shaair reunites with DeMeco Ryans as the newest Houston Texans’ star.

If anyone knows what new Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair provides for a defense, it’s DeMeco Ryans. He spent four seasons watching him blossom from an undrafted free agent to one of the best sub-package linebackers while in San Francisco.

Ryans, hired back to the team that drafted him last offseason, nearly was able to convince Al-Shaair to follow him to Houston. Both sides showed mutual interest, but couldn’t reach a middle ground on an annual salary.

Al-Shaair eventually left the 49ers, inking a one-year, $5 million deal with the Tenessee Titans. He proved to be a consistent open-field tackler in his first full year as a starter, totaling the fifth-most stops at 163.

A year later, Al-Shaair officially is reunited with Ryans in Houston, ready to take control of the AFC and compete for championships well past 2024.

“By adding Azeez to our team, we’re getting a tenacious player,” Ryans said Monday at the start of voluntary workouts. “He plays with relentless passion and energy.”

Al-Shaair, 26, inked a three-year deal worth $34 million this offseason after a dominating in Nashville. Not only did the former Florida Atlantic star learn from the teachings of a former Pro Bowl linebacker in Ryans, but also played behind All-Pro Fred Warner and Pro Bowler Dre Greenlaw out west.

Ryans, one of the Texans’ all-time leading tacklers during his playing days, came away impressed with Al-Shaair’s transition to handling a heavier workload. During his time with the 49ers, Al-Shaair played roughly 45% of snaps.

With Tennessee, he rarely came off the field, playing 96% of the team’s defensive reps.

“He showed he was capable of running the show,” Ryans said. “He showed he was able to stay healthy throughout the entire year. He’s durable. He was a playmaker. He was physical. He was the leader of that defense.”

Houston, fresh off its first winning season in four years, has multiple leaders on a revamped defense under Ryans’ teaching, headlined by Defensive Rookie the Year Will Anderson Jr. Linebacker Christain Harris is coming off a promising second season. So is cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who totaled a team-leading five interceptions in 11 games.

The Texans also continued to build their trenches, inking Al-Shaair’s former Titans teammate Denico Autry and Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter to two-year contracts.

Al-Shaair should take over as the play-caller up the middle. His versatility in San Francisco backing up Warner and Greelaw puts him in line to play either role while receiving calls from the sidelines.

There’s a trust factor between Al-Shaair and Ryans. They know how each other operates and what works in building chemistry on the field. They nearly continued their success last season following three playoff berths, including a trip to the Super Bowl in 2019.

Ryans is looking to build off a promising first year in Houston. There’s an urgency to win now with Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud on a team-friendly contract. Adding Al-Shaair might not transcend the Texans’ defense to new heights, but it will stabilize the middle of the field in run support and man coverage.

Last season, Al-Shaair proved he’s capable of commanding the huddle on a rebuilding roster. He’ll now have the opportunity to do on a championship-caliber one.

“I’m excited to not only add Azeez as a player but to also add Azeez, the leader,” said Ryans. “He’s grown as a leader and I’m excited to work with him again.”

TeX’s and O’s: T’Vondre Sweat could reach new heights with Texans

Texas Longhorns star T’Vondre Sweat might be the biggest player and bigger boom-or-bust prospect the Houston Texans could target.

For a team that preached the importance of the trenches, the Houston Texans’ strategy at the defensive tackle has been puzzling for some.

The AFC South winners lost Sheldon Rankins to the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency and traded away fellow starter Maliek Collins to the San Francisco 49ers. In return, they signed Folorunso Fatukasi after a high-profile free agent stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars, alongside career backups such as Tim Settle from the Buffalo Bills and Mario Edwards Jr from the Seattle Seahawks.

Houston added power up the middle when it signed Tennesee Titans’ star Danico Autry but the 33-year-old represents much more of an interior edge rusher than a true three-down defensive tackle.

Houston still could target one of the top defensive linemen in April’s draft, but its pickings could also be minimal when on the clock at No. 42. Illinois’ Johnny Newton and Texas’ Byron Murphy were prime options at pick No. 23, but the Texans shipped off their Day 1 pick to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange to move back 19 spots and a 2025 second-round pick.

That pick was used to acquire Stefon Diggs from Buffalo Wednesday morning, thus making Houston’s path to the draft much more clear.

Houston should feel content with the line entering OTAs, but there’s not there’s not a clear “upgrade” path to the trenches for head coach DeMeco Ryans. Even with promising upside, the Day 2 talents are going to take time adjusting from life on Saturdays to life in the pros.

There are, however, some intriguing options in the second round that could booster what appears to be a position the Texans will attack as a collective, including former Longhorn standout T’Vondre Sweat.

Sweat Stands Out In Run Defense

Sweat was debatably the most high-profile defensive tackle in college football this past season at a monstrous 365 lbs. He played five seasons on the Forty Acres and ended 2023 on an incredibly high note, earning consensus All-American honors and first-team All-Big 12 player honors.

Sweat was also named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior defensive lineman.

In 15 games, the Huntsville native totaled 45 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, and a pair of sacks while wielding his immense strength and size to anchor the Longhorns against the run and help propel the defense to the College Football Playoff.

When there’s smoke, a fire is not far behind. Rumors have been heating up between the two sides ever since the start of the offseason, and they’re about to set Twitter ablaze with three weeks to go.

Houston has an obvious need for the position in place of Collins. Sweat is one of the more well-rounded trench prospects projected to go outside the first round.

Ok, so what’s the debate? What doesn’t Nick Caserio run in the card and never look back at No. 42?

Ryans simply has never deployed a defensive tackle of Sweat’s size.  During his time as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator, he vastly preferred smaller and quicker defensive linemen, capable of getting upfield to push the pocket on passing downs and additionally playing a higher volume of snaps to supplement the ferocious, attacking nature.

How could the largest defensive tackle in years fit that profile? Despite the awkward optics, the film doesn’t raise as many questions. Sweat proved he’s someone that could not only immediately contribute to how Ryans wants the Texans to play defense, but also someone who could become more at the next level.

Immediately, Sweat would represent an upper-tier run stopper at the defensive tackle position as a rookie. His mass allows him to engage multiple blockers and makes it difficult for offensive lines to move him off his spot. Sweat is additionally strong enough to work through double teams and make plays on the ball carrier even when accounted for. More often than not, teams simply chose to run in the other direction.

His effect on the game goes beyond the sheer strength and size that’s bundled underneath the uniform. Sweat is surprisingly adept at using his hands to win 1-on-1 situations with offensive linemen and he took advantage of players who weren’t prepared for both the physical and technical level required to stay in front of him.

Often billed as an elite run-stuffer, and fairly so, Sweat still brings some surprising chops to the passing game.

His strength translates to incredible bull rushes that force offensive tackles and guards alike backward. Sweat would immediately be able to contribute towards collapsing the pocket and is a handful when offensive linemen can do nothing but work backward against him. His strong hands also contribute to some surprising sacks on film.

“I’m a better pass rusher than people give me credit for. I can push the pocket,” Sweat recently said in an interview with The Draft Network That’s what a lot of coaches look for at the next level, somebody that can push the pocket,” Sweat told The Draft Network. “If the quarterback doesn’t have enough room to step up into the middle of the pocket, what’s he going to do when he’s under pressure? That puts the passer in a tough spot. I love pushing that pocket. Coaches love it when I do that.”

Collapsing the pocket and the strength he has to do it is evident everywhere on film. Even on the edge, watch Sweat walk back Alabama’s left tackle and nearly lay a hand on the quarterback.

His strength translates to any assignment when rushing the passer.

Talent Transition To Pros

So yes, it’s fair for fans to ask at his profile. How Sweat will adjust to the NFL game and how many snaps he’ll be able to effectively play at a staggering size is a huge part of his draft projection. Additionally, how effectively his pass rush game translates when linemen are stronger and better prepared to deal with his size could mean Sweat needs additional tools to succeed on 3rd downs at the NFL level.

Where would this project Sweat if he dropped into Houston’s current brand?

He could start immediately as the 1-technique defensive tackle and would represent an enormous challenge for opposing centers and guards. The defense still needs someone to anchor at that position on run-downs and Sweat would immediately serve that role. He would change the dynamics of the run game and the attention he demands would open up favorable scenarios for the Texans’ newest linebacker duo in Christian Harris and Azeez Al-Shaiir.

In the passing game, Ryans has often preferred smaller defensive linemen due to their ability to quickly get upfield and affect the dynamics of the- passing game. Due to Sweat’s strength and technical work, he isn’t prohibited from affecting the passer at his size. He would help to collapse the pocket and is a disaster waiting to happen for guards that needs to account for him on stunts and switches when Danielle Hunter or NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson are flying in from the edge.

He may not be transformative in the passing game, but even at his current level, he offers a phenomenal fit in the context of Houston’s incredible defensive infrastructure. This doesn’t even address the fact that there may be another level to Sweat as a professional.

Best Case-Scenario?

What happens if Sweat can play more than 50% of the snaps as an NFL tackle? What if he drops some of the weight that he’s gained during his last two seasons of college but still represents a sizable mass in the 330-340lb range? That’s when outcomes could become special.

A lighter weight could allow Sweat to play far closer to the defensive tackles historically deployed by Ryans in San Francisco and last year in Houston. It would certainly elevate his ability to quickly fly to the quarterback and likely would come without sacrificing much, if any, of his impact on the running game. Still, there’s little need to dwell on hypotheticals when such a clear skillset is already apparent to evaluators.

Even without a first-round pick, there is a lot to love about the potential for Caserio to attack the position in the second round with the homegrown Sweat.

He would bring an elite run-stopping skillset to the 1-tech defensive tackle position and could represent a huge problem when left 1-on-1 or employed as the decoy on stunts for passing downs. Whether the Texans would truly gamble on a different archetype on tackle is yet to be seen.

The potential is undeniable. So is the risk-reward factor in an offseason where the Texans are gambling big.