In his first public interview since being traded to the Houston Texans, Stefon Diggs gave high praise to Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud.
C.J. Stroud was sleeping back in Los Angeles when the Houston Texans traded for Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs.
He didn’t know until he was washing his face why everyone was sending him text messages asking if he was good. The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year is feeling better knowing his dynamic duo of receivers just became a tremendous trio.
Diggs, one of the league’s top pass-catchers since 2018, feels the same way about coming to H-Town. He knew when he met Stroud back at the Pro Bowl in February that the gunslinger was built differently.
“He’s a hell of a quarterback, he’s a hell of a leader. As you watched those guys throughout the season last year, you kind of started to see them build something really special,” Diggs said during the NFL draft broadcast on Bleacher Report Thursday evening. “(Stroud) as a quarterback, and as you see him lead his team, it was something that we all kind of got excited about. You kind of noticed it around the league. If you weren’t watching, you heard about it.“
Our first chance to hear from the new, Houston Texan, Stefon Diggs:
The Pro Bowler gave a glowing review on his new QB, C.J. Stroud:
“I’m extremely excited. He’s a hell of a quarterback, he’s a hell of a leader— it’s easy to fall in love with a quarterback like that.” pic.twitter.com/qw5pnK5JBL
Thursday marked the first public comments from the new Texans’ receiver since the trade earlier this month. Houston sent Buffalo a 2025 second-round pick acquired from the Minnesota Vikings, Diggs’ old team, for the All-Pro target and a sixth-round pick.
Stroud, who became the fifth passer to throw for 4,000 yards as a rookie, had no idea back at the Pro Bowl that Diggs would later become his teammate. He said their first meeting went well, mostly being centered around Diggs’ kids and his nephew, Aaiden.
After the Pro Bowl, Stroud and Diggs remained in contact. Here is where the six-time 1,000-yard playmaker saw a different version of the wunderkind found at NRG Stadium.
“In the offseason, the more conversations I had with him on a personal level, it was easy to fall in love with a quarterback like that,” said Diggs.
Houston’s offense ranked seventh in passing last season with Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Dalton Schultz. All three are back looking for better numbers and a chance to claim a conference title.
The addition of Diggs only fortifies Houston’s passing attack as it moves into a first-place schedule. Diggs, 30, will also be playing for a new contract as the Texans voided the final three years of his deal to make him a free agent.
It was written ✍️✨
Stefon Diggs alongside C. J. Stroud and Tank Dell way before it was official
It’s hard to imagine the Texans’ regressing with another year of the same personnel. Bobby Slowik is back as offensive coordinator. Houston also bulked up its rushing attack by trading for Pro Bowler Joe Mixon from Cincinnati.
Diggs, who will wear No. 1 for the first time since college, completes the H-Town trifecta. One shouldn’t be surprised to see No. 7 (Stroud), connecting with No. 1 and No. 3 (Dell) all around The Loop in 2024.
Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud has been working out with several of his receivers, including Tank Dell, who Stroud says “Looks great.”
As the Houston Texans prepare to run it back as AFC South champions, one key element is working his way back from a season-ending injury.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud told reporters Monday during his media session that fellow second-year star Tank looks “great” in his recovery, and should be cleared for the start of training camp.
Dell, Houston’s third-round pick and No. 2 receiver, suffered a fractured leg in early December against the Denver Broncos
I asked Houston Texans QB C.J.Stroud how second year WR Tank Dell, who had his season cut short due to injury looked when they had an opportunity to work out together this offseason. #Texans#Sarge#TexansWire@Tankdell4pic.twitter.com/nXEElektPv
“He’s gotten a lot better,” said Stroud. “Mentally, I think for both of us, really all of the rookies coming into Year 2, everything is starting to slow down, and the wheels aren’t turning so much up in your head. You’re starting to play ball.”
In 11 games, Dell caught 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns. He set the franchise rookie record for touchdown catches and yards in a single game with a 145-yard performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3.
He later broke his record with a 149-yard outing against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11.
Dell, 24, was playing his best ball leading up to the injury. Over his final four full games, the former Houston Cougar totaled 25 receptions for 369 yards and five touchdowns. He was on pace to catch Andre Johnson’s rookie record receiving yardage (976) entering December.
Per projections, Dell was expected to finish with over 1,200 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, which would have been second-most among rookies behind Los Angeles Rams’ Puka Nacua.
Initially believed to be a season-ending injury, there were rumors Dell could rejoin the team deeper in the postseason. The possibility never came to fruition following a loss in the divisional round to the Baltimore Ravens.
Instead, the Texans let their rookie heal and prepare for the next season.
“Tank is back and he’s starting to get in with our guys here with the offseason programs,” said coach DeMeco Ryans. “So, I’m excited to have Tank back. That was a devastating loss for us last year, losing him. He’s such a dynamic player for us, such an inspiration for myself, a lot of our team.
Dell’s been working with NFL wide receiver and tight end specialist trainer Delfonte Diamond, who posted multiple videos documenting workouts throughout the offseason.
#Texans wide receiver Tank Dell @Tankdell4 off to encouraging start in speedy recovery from broken fibula, back running with his private coach Delfonte Diamond @DelfonteDiamond 'He's way ahead of schedule. Hasn't missed a beat. He'll be more than ready when OTAs jump off' @KPRC2pic.twitter.com/mEqPM7IH1k
Diamond stated Dell will be ready when the Texans start offseason training activities on May 20.
A healthy Dell returns to a new-look Texans offense that includes the recently acquired Stefon Diggs and breakout receiver Nico Collins. Combined, the trio might be the league’s top passing unit a year removed from finishing top 10.
Diggs caught 100-plus passes during his four seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Collins finished eighth overall in receiving yards and became the third play in franchise history to total over 1,200 yards in a single season.
Dell and Stroud, along with Diggs and third-year receiver John Metchie, recently had organized a throwing session out in Los Angeles earlier this month.
“Being able to throw with him in L.A. was really big and [John] Metchie looks amazing as well – some of the other guys that came out as well,” Stroud said. “It’s been amazing to get some work in.”
The Texans may open things up in the air with the new trio. They ran three wide receiver sets on first down 39% of the time, which is the eighth fewest in the league, according to NFLEO.
Dell and Diggs played around 70% of their snaps as outside receivers, with the other 30% coming in the slot. With either receiver capable of playing both roles, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s playbook opens up in year two.
“I think we have a lot of potential,” Stroud said. “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.”
Stefon Diggs is going back to college roots with a number switch from No. 14 with the Houston Texans.
Stefon Diggs has a new home and a new jersey number.
The newest member of the Houston Texans will go back to his roots and don No. 1 next season, officially creating the “7-1-3” trifecta opposite C.J. Stroud (No. 7) and Tank Dell (No. 3).
Diggs, whom the Texans traded for Wednesday in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick, wore No. 1 during his college days at Maryland. According to KPRC2 Sports Aaron Wilson, the Pro Bowl receiver paid Jimmie Ward, who wore No. 1 last season, roughly $100,000 for the switch.
Ward will switch back to No. 20, his original number with the San Francisco 49ers.
Fans have been waiting for the area code connection to hit. Dell, Houston’s third-round pick last season, initially wore No. 13 during training camp but switched to his high school number before the start of the regular season.
Sometimes when there's a jersey number change in #NFL, it comes at a price. New #Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs obtained the No. 1 jersey from veteran safety Jimmie Ward, for roughly $100,000, per league sources @KPRC2 And Ward is back to No. 20, his old #49ers number @KPRC2
The sight of a new No. 1 is welcoming. So is Diggs, who’s posted six consecutive 1,000-yard receiving campaigns between stints with the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills. He joins an offense that took new heights behind Stroud, largely due to the consistent play of Dalton Schultz and Nico Collins.
For now, Diggs will only wear No. 1 in Houston for one season. The Texans chose to eliminate the final three years of Diggs’ four-year, $104 million deal following the trade, making him a free agent following the 2024 season.
That doesn’t mean Diggs won’t return on a new contract. In fact, Houston should be getting a more energized version of Diggs, who struggled to produce during his final 13 games after starting hot in 2023.
Since 2020, Diggs has been one of the league’s most consistent targets following his trade to the Bills. During his four seasons with the AFC East franchise, the 30-year-old receiver led the NFL in catches (445) over Davante Adams (441), Tyreek Hill (436) and Justin Jefferson (392).
Houston is hopeful the Week 1 version of Diggs shows up for 17 games next season as Stroud looks to build off his rookie of the year season. A healthy, Dell, who suffered a season-ending leg injury in early December, should help improve those numbers, too.
The Houston Texans’ young wide receiver is going with his alma mater to win the 2024 NCAA men’s basketball championship.
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell thinks his alma mater is going to win the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament this season.
The former Cougars star picked the No. 1-seeded Houston to advance to the NCAA championship and beat No. 2-seeded Iowa State in the final. If that happens, it would also be a rematch of the Big 12 conference title game where the Cyclones beat the Cougars by 28 points.
Other notable selections by Dell: He picked No. 7 Texas to go to the Elite Eight, No. 11 Oregon to beat No. 6 South Carolina and No. 3 Creighton and No. 12 UAB to upset No. 5 San Diego State in the first round.
Dell heads into the 2024 season off an incredible rookie year. The third-round pick caught 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns as one of C.J. Stroud’s most reliable targets.
A season-ending leg injury derailed Dell’s promising rookie campaign after 11 games, though. He is expected to return in time for the start of the 2024 season and his reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery.
Dell should once again be one of Stroud’s top targets alongside fellow wideout Nico Collins and tight end Dalton Schultz. The Texans also brought back receiver Noah Brown and still have Robert Woods and John Metchie III on the roster. The biggest addition to the offense is running back Joe Mixon, who will replace Devin Singletary in the backfield.
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell’s rookie year ended prematurely, but he’s working his back ahead of his sophomore campaign.
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell is trending towards a return sooner rather than later.
Picture and video clips emerged of Dell running and cutting as he works back from a broken fibula he sustained during the 2023 season. His private coach, Delfonte Diamond, said Dell is, ‘Way ahead of schedule. Hasn’t missed a beat. He’ll be more than ready when OTA’s jump off,” according to KPRC’s 2 Aaron Wilson.
#Texans wide receiver Tank Dell @Tankdell4 off to encouraging start in speedy recovery from broken fibula, back running with his private coach Delfonte Diamond @DelfonteDiamond 'He's way ahead of schedule. Hasn't missed a beat. He'll be more than ready when OTAs jump off' @KPRC2pic.twitter.com/mEqPM7IH1k
Dell, 24, was off to a historic start in his rookie season before he suffered a broken fibula in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos. He finished his rookie year with 47 receptions for 709 yards and seven touchdowns.
In his past four games, Dell had 369 receiving yards on 25 catches and five touchdowns. Over a 17-game span, his final four appearances averaged 106 receptions, 1,568 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns.
He caught the game-winning touchdown in the Texans’ Week 9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Dell played his college football at the University of Houston, becoming one of the most successful receivers in the nation. The Texans took him in the third round of the 2023 and he quickly built a strong rapport with quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Houston’s offense struggled to put up points with Dell. The Texans averaged six points less than their average without him the line-up. The Texans re-signed tight end Dalton Schultz and receiver Noah Brown to keep Stroud’s top pass-catchers together alongside Nico Collins. Houston discussed trading for newly acquired Chicago Bears receiver Keenan Allen and may still add to the position group throughout the offseason.
Dell’s trainer pointed to a return before the start of organized team activities, which begin in May. That would put Dell at around six months out from his injury. He missed one game with a concussion in Week 6.
“I’m giving all the props to our training and strength staff,” Dell said to Texans TV. “They’ve been getting me on the right road, and I feel like I’m back and ready. I’m waiting for the lights to shine again and for us to go out there as a team and complete the mission.”
Texans offseason conditioning begins on April 15 at the NRG Center, where Dell has been spending the bulk of his offseason while recovering.
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is ready to cash in after a career year in 2023.
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins just came off a breakout season.
The third-year receiver, under new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and rookie phenom C.J. Stroud, caught 80 receptions on 109 targets for 1,297 yards, and eight touchdowns this past season. It was a huge performance that put Collins on the map nationally for fantasy football fans and helped Stroud have one of the most successful rookie quarterback seasons in NFL history.
Now, the Michigan product is ready to be paid and secure his future with the team.
How #Texans standout wide receiver Nico Collins @lbg_nico7 views potential early contract talks now that he's eligible for an extension and coming off breakthrough year: 'Would love that. If they want to negotiate, we can.' @KPRC2https://t.co/e8ZBpOQ9Fd
“That would be great,” Collins said on the prospect of signing a long-term deal. “I feel like that’s what everybody works for. I’m just going to let it come to me, whatever they decide, whatever they want to do. I’m going to let it ride. Me, I’m going to continue to get better and work on my game. If they want to negotiate, we can.”
It could potentially be an advantageous proposition for both parties.
Collins could secure an extension after a career season that came after two years where he struggled to stay healthy. His value might never be higher, either, if suffers another injury or has a less productive season.
For Houston, they could lock down Collins –who showed the potential to be a No. 1 wide receiver – at a far cheaper price than what top receivers are currently finding on the market and lock in their top duo alongside 2023 rookie Tank Dell. Justin Jefferson, Mike Evans, CeeDee Lamb, Brandon Aiyuk and Tee Higgins could all command monster salaries this offseason, and Ja’Marr Chase will be eligible in 2025.
It’s unclear what price Collins would currently fetch. The NFL’s best receivers are seeing upwards of $20 million per year and it’s quite possible that Collins would cost $25 million or more from another team if he was to hit unrestricted free agency after next season.
Fans will have to wait and see if the team can work out a deal with one of the first players that general manager Nick Caserio drafted. It’s very encouraging that the team appears well poised, both financially and relationally, to retain their best home-grown talent.
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell looks to be recovering well from his season-ending leg injury.
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell was in the midst of a sensational rookie season before a broken fibula prematurely ended his season. He underwent surgery on Dec. 4. and reports in early February indicated Dell’s recovery was going well.
More than two months later, though, Dell is showing signs of serious improvement. He posted an Instagram stories video recently showcasing his side-to-side mobility as he continues to recover.
#Texans Tank Dell recently posted an IG story working along side WR coach Brandon White of the Receiver Factory. pic.twitter.com/Zxq1QISYvM
Dell was also seen at Travis Scott’s 2024 Cactus Jack Foundation HBCU Celebrity Softball Classic on Feb. 16 walking around the field well.
Both instances are huge positive updates on Dell’s availability for 2024. He became a main target of C.J. Stroud’s quickly during his rookie year and caught 47 of 75 targets for 709 yards and seven touchdowns. Dell and fellow receiver Nico Collins will likely be the Texans’ top-two pass-catching threats this season unless Houston adds another wideout in the draft, free agency or via a trade this offseason.
For now, though, Dell will continue his recovery with a possible return for training camp or Week 1 in 2024.
Up next in our “15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023” series is WR Tank Dell, whose promising rookie season was cut short due to injury.
The Houston Texans had an unbelievable year.
After three consecutive, dreadful campaigns in 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively, they turned things around in a big way under first year head coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.
In a season that saw players step up across the board, it’s a fruitful exercise to look at who made the biggest impact on the Texans making such a dramatic leap and if they’re likely to repeat that same type of performance in 2024.
This list is counting through the Top 15 Most Impactful Texans, with Sheldon Rankins and Devin Singletary already receiving well-deserved nods. Now, attention turns to the explosive rookie wide receiver Tank Dell.
Tank Dell met with the media for the first time since suffering a season-ending injury, where he discussed the Texans’ bright future.
As the Houston Texans players cleaned out their lockers on Monday, there was an upbeat spirit throughout as players dipped in and out of the locker room going through their end-of-season checklist. Laughter and handshakes could be heard, and the customary “See you when workouts begin” was usually how the conversations ended.
Media members did their best to talk to whoever they could get a camera in front of one last time. Still, there was one player whose locker was constantly occupied by a couple of individuals who wanted to be sure that they had the perfect spot when he walked in, and as soon as he did, his infectious energy filled the room.
“What’s up everybody,” said Houston Texans rookie wide receiver Tank Dell, as he positioned himself to answer questions.
It was the first time since he suffered a broken fibula in the Texans’ Week 13 matchup against the Denver Broncos that the media was allowed to talk to him. As usual, Dell answered every question with the energetic nature that he has displayed since Houston drafted him in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.
“It has been great just seeing the guys (teammates) accomplish so much this year,” Dell said about the Texans season. “So many people sold us short this year, and for them to go to the second round…we wanted more, but that is just a stepping stone to start where we want to be in the future. I was just rooting for them guys the whole time. Just trying to support the best way I can and support them guys.”
“Before we ever stepped on the field to be Houston Texans, we were just talking about what we wanted to come true and bring to fruition and what we wanted to achieve in a short time in our first year,” Dell said exclusively to @TheTexansWire about the 2023 rookie class. #Sargepic.twitter.com/p9mPsp71dX
Dell, a superstar wideout from the University of Houston, made sure his energy could be felt around the facility and on the sidelines as soon as the team doctors medically cleared him.
During the AFC wild card game against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium, Dell greeted his best friend and fellow rookie teammate, quarterback C.J. Stroud, on the sidelines after a miscue between Stroud and wide receiver Nico Collins that would have resulted in a touchdown as Collins was at least four steps ahead of the nearest defender. Stroud was visibly upset that he could not connect with Collins, but Dell was there to reassure him of who he was.
“Everybody knows that is my real deal brother off the field,” Dell told Texans Wire when reminded of that occurrence. “Even though I did not have to go up to C.J. after that play and tell him anything because he is poised. That play, he will forget about it and go in and win the game. I know the energy that I bring to my teammates and C.J. I was just telling him, ‘Man, you are the best ever, and that ain’t nothing. Watch how you are going to win the game.’”
Stroud rebounded from the miscommunication with Collins to help lead his team to a 45-14 victory over the Browns and helped the Texans advance to the divisional round of the playoffs.
“Tank [Dell] is definitely somebody who we love to have around,” Stroud said during his mid-week press conference. “He’s definitely the most outgoing person on this team, for sure. Just how he acts, his vibe, his positivity rubs off on everybody, so I love having Tank around. I’m constantly around him a lot still, so it’s really just a blessing to have a guy like still be joyful in a moment where he’s going through a lot.”
The two rookies developed chemistry early in their rookie season and were well on their way to becoming a dangerous combination and headache for defensive coordinators. Dell recorded his first 100-yard-plus game in a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars when he and Stroud connected for 145 yards and a touchdown. They duplicated that performance in a victory over the Arizona Cardinals when Dell finished the game with 149 yards receiving and a touchdown.
Throughout some of his roughest days, both mentally and physically, Dell has leaned on his faith to get him through the most brutal battle he has had to endure playing the game he loves so much. He is eager to get back on the field and improve upon his 709 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in ten games played during his rookie season.
“I just felt like that was a test run for me,” Dell told reporters. “I had a lot more to display, but you know God puts you through some things for a reason. I just keep my head up because I know the years to come are going to be special here.”
“Tank [Dell] is definitely somebody who we love to have around,” Stroud said during his mid-week press conference. “He’s definitely the most outgoing person on this team, for sure. Just how he acts, his vibe, his positivity rubs off on everybody, so I love having Tank around.” pic.twitter.com/PiSI5LzbkP
Texans first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans rookie class has been exceptional this season, and that is a testament to not only Ryans and his staff but the character of the young men he drafted to be a building block for the organization. They are very talented and leaned on each other heavily for advice and support to get through the most extended season they have ever been a part of during their playing days.
Those guys, the hometown love from fans, and all the University of Houston football team supporters helped Dell keep his energetic vibe throughout his recovery.
“Before we ever stepped on the field to be Houston Texans, we were just talking about what we wanted to come true and bring to fruition and what we wanted to achieve in a short time in our first year,” Dell said exclusively to Texans Wire about the 2023 rookie class. “Like I was telling you (during the 2023 NFL Draft Combine) how I wanted to be here in H-Town [Houston] because it was like home for me.”
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud vs. Jim Schwartz’s Browns defense is one of the best matchups of wild-card weekend. Here’s how it could play out.
Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik comes from the Kyle Shanahan tree, so you know that he wants to fool your defense with personnel. Slowik had been a defensive assistant and passing game coordinator under Shanahan both in Washington and San Francisco, so if there’s a 49ers-ish tint to what the Texans are doing, don’t be surprised.
One thing you’ll see from the Texans is explosive passing plays out of heavier personnel. It’s a Shanahan staple, Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniels (Shanahan’s former run game coordinator in San Francisco) draws on it as much as anybody, and Slowik continues that trend. Rookie sensation C.J. Stroud has 62 explosive passing plays in the 2023 season, and 22 of those plays have come out of 12, 13, 21, and 22 personnel — with multiple tight ends and/or running backs on the field.
Why is this effective? In preparation for his team’s wild-card matchup with the Cleveland Browns’ outstanding defense, Slowik got into why he likes to run things the way he runs them.
“That was very intentional coming into the season that we did that,” Slowik said when asked why ne needs his personnel looks to be interchangeable. “Obviously in San Francisco that’s kind of how that offense was built. I was lucky and fortunate enough to be there kind of when that evolution happened and we really started getting different pieces like that with guys that could play multiple positions. Really, you just see how freeing it is as someone who has to game plan, as a play caller, but also, it’s freeing for the quarterback. Just being able to know, ‘Wherever I distribute this ball, on my four reads on this play, I trust and I love all these dudes. I want to get all of them the ball.’ That’s really important.”
Dec 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik smiles before the game against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Slowik also deploys different guys in different positions because it makes things easier for the quarterback, giving him more pure progression reads against match-style coverages.
“I feel like a lot of it now, more across the NFL, there’s more just zones and different versions of zones, in particular soft zones where you can’t always determine where the ball’s going when teams are doing that,” Slowik said. “So sometimes – I think that’s part of why a lot of NFL teams have gone to so much pure progressions where you just go from one to two to three because it just simplifies that whole process and at some point you know you have to get a completion, and you can’t always determine who that’s to. I know for us, that’s why we coach how you handle yards after the catch, how you handle transition, how you handle when the ball is thrown to you in eight yards or less, how we’re making the most of those opportunities and getting the most yards, getting vertical on that stuff.
“We coach that a lot, namely because those are the teams that it’s really hard to game plan against when you can’t pin-point where the ball is going and the quarterback has to go and distribute it all the way across the field. That would be the No. 1 thing to me.”
One thing Slowik knows he’s likely to see from Jim Schwartz’ Browns defense is single-high coverage. The Browns have played middle-of-the-field-closed coverage at a 64% clip, most in the NFL. Now, Schwartz loves to mix that up with different looks and inverted coverages, but you know what you’re going to get there. The task for Stroud, who missed Houston’s Week 16 loss to the Browns with a concussion, is to wade through all of that with the personnel he has. And that’s tough, because the Texans are missing a lot of their top receivers right now — Nathaniel “Tank” Dell is out, and Noah Brown and Robert Woods are questionable.
Fortunately, Stroud still has world-beater Nico Collins. And this is where the matchup could tilt in Houston’s favor.
Per @robertmays and @Nate_Tice of The Athletic Football Show, the Browns have faced 143 snaps of 12 personnel this season. They've put eight defenders in the box against on 90 of those snaps.
Another bit of good news for the Texans is that Stroud has absolutely annihilated single-high coverage this season. Against Cover-1 and Cover-3, Stroud has completed 141 of 228 passes for 2,054 yards, 1,335 air yards, 11 touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 105.4 – only Dak Prescott and Lamar Jackson have higher passer ratings against MOFC coverage this season. Stroud is great at challenging single-high with crossers underneath, and quick-to-intermediate out routes to displace cornerbacks playing to the numbers.
And it’s not just Collins. Stroud can find openings against anybody with heavy personnel, as he showed on this 26-yard pass to fullback Andrew Beck against the New York Jets in Week 14. It was a hard crosser underneath the Jets’ Cover-3, and another example of a great defense a step behind what Slowik drew up, and what Stroud executed.
Explosive plays out of heavy personnel. A Shanahan staple, a Mike McDaniel non-negotiable, and @HoustonTexans OC Bobby Slowik is killing defenses with it, too. pic.twitter.com/Ue9NCeQdJv
Remember that Mays/Tice statistic regarding how the Browns stack the box as a default reaction to heavy personnel? Schwartz is smart enough to know what his own tendencies are, and how it might be time to switch things up.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 24: Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the first half in the game against the Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
“Obviously a rookie, but has command that goes beyond usually the scope of a rookie,” Schwartz said this week of Stroud. “Decisive with the ball, accurate passer, buy some time time, makes big plays down the field. I think when it’s all said and done, the fact that he’s passed for as many yards as he has without turning the ball over is really impressive for a young guy. Usually the cost of doing business if you’re going to throw a lot of yards is you also turn the ball over a lot. It’s been impressive what he’s been able to do. We’re going to have to play tight coverage. We’re going to have to stay after him in the pass rush. We’re going to have to limit run after the catch because he does a good job of giving his guys opportunities to run after the catch, including Nico Collins. That’s one of the things he does best.”
Pair that with Slowik’s quote about why he aligns his passing structures against match stuff that limits YAC, and you have fodder for an amazing matchup.
In this week’s “Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” the guys go deep into this fascinating matchup.
New "Xs and Os with @gregcosell: The @Browns have played more single-high coverage than any other team this season. C.J. Stroud of the @HoustonTexans has annihilated single-high coverage all season long. This one is going to be FUN. pic.twitter.com/YGy7yeavhn
