Tag: Texans defense

Could Justin Madubuike evolve DeMeco Ryans’ Texans defense?

Breaking down the free agent fit for defensive tackle Justin Madubuike and the Houston Texans.

“The front, again, is everything for me, and we’ll invest a ton of resources into the front. If you want to play good defense, your front has to be elite, and that’s what I envision us playing: elite defensive football.”

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans finished his last press conference of the 2023 season addressing the front seven, where he had once shined as a player and now a hopeful focus for his football team.

“We have to get better there – and to get better there – you have to invest the resources there up front, so that’s what we’ll do. That’s where our focus is heading into the offseason is to make sure our front gives us an opportunity to win some games.”

It was an honest, and extremely fair, assessment of the Texans after their crushing 34-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson and running backs Justice Hill and Gus Edwards had combined for 206 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. They gradually wore down the Texans’ defensive front with little opportunity to rest as C.J. Stroud and the Houston offense could not stay off the field.

Ironically, this was a strength of the Texans for most of the year. They were one of the NFL’s best run defenses in 2023 and saw monster seasons from edge rushers Will Anderson and Jonathan Greenard as well as the emergence of second year linebacker Christian Harris.

That leaves the question of where the front could improve primarily to two spots on the defense. The defensive tackle position, manned in ’23 by Maliek Collins and pending free agent Sheldon Rankins, and linebacker play alongside Harris. 

Defensive tackle plays a pivotal role in controlling the line of scrimmage and they’re asked to be versatile in DeMeco Ryans’ attacking front four – notably, one of the best in the game is set to reach free agency.

After terrorizing the Houston Texans with a sack in their Week 1 contest and two quarterback hits in the playoff matchup, Baltimore Ravensdefensive tackle Justin Madubuike is reaching the market after a career year.

Madubuike had an insane 13 sacks, 56 total tackles, 33 quarterback hits and 64 total pressures per Next Gen Stats. It was a season that earned him Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors and is going to yield to a significant pay day.

He was one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in football and found the quarterback at an exceptional rate. Madubuike’s 2.7% sack rate was the highest in the NFL amongst defensive tackles and a big part of why he led the position in sacks.

Part of this was due to Baltimore’s scheme, they let Madubuike play like a star player. He was employed on stunts and utilized in a way that made him dynamic and interruptive alongside players like former Texan Jadeveon Clowney. 

If the Texans want to improve the front, he represents an obvious solution in free agency.

Madubuike is a perfect fit for the attacking 3-technique defensive tackle that Ryans covets. He would impact the run game consistently while also giving the Texans a dynamic pass rusher on the interior that few NFL teams are able to employ.

This play, where Madubuike chases down Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey, encompasses everything that Ryans has preached. The concept of “Swarm” and down-to-down effort that ultimately dictates the game. It’s easy to envision a brutally tough front led by Madubuike and the Defensive Rookie of the Year in Anderson.

His pass rush skillset would not only demand double teams to aid the rest of the line but his athleticism could be ideal for stunt plays with edges like Anderson and Jerry Hughes.

There are fair concerns about the potential addition, largely financial ones. A contract for Madubuike could cost over $20M APY in free agency. That would almost certainly eliminate Houston’s ability to bring back Greenard after his career season. Would Ryans more so covet the edge rusher or a defensive tackle that impacts the game in a whole different way? That’s uncertain.

There’s also the matter of regression. It’s a fair question for any player that breaks out like Madubuike.

Can the Texans expect Madubuike to perform like this into future years? He had never produced more than 5.5 sacks or 10 quarterback hits in a season prior to 2023. Even if he maintains his level of play at a high level, it’s likely that his sack percentage will decrease closer to league average moving forward as well simply off chance. 

Last year, the San Francisco 49ers signed Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to a huge deal after a similar career season. He was an impactful player for the 49ers this year, but he did not touch double digit sacks the way he did in 2022.

If the Texans are comfortable financially with investing in a defensive tackle and understand they may see dominance, but never to this level, it could be a great fit for Houston.

The team has over $50 million to spend in free agency. It’ll be up to general manager Nick Caserio to decide how to invest if he wants to meet Ryans goals of improving the front. If Madubuike ultimately dodges the tag from Baltimore, he looks like an enticing solution to their problem.

Texans CB Steven Nelson opens up about social media dispute with GM Nick Caserio

Steven Nelson discussed a former dispute with Texans GM Nick Caserio, his regret for it and his surprise how it blew up on social media.

Cornerback Steven Nelson had a career season with the Houston Texans.

Despite turning 30 this past year, he started 16 of 17 games for Houston while totaling 63 tackles, 12 passes defended and four interceptions during the regular season. He was a big part of the Texans’ playoff push and even had a spectacular pick-6 of Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco during the team’s wild-card round victory.

Before the huge season, however, there was training camp.

Nelson publicly feuded with the Texans organization about believing he had earned a raise following a strong 2022 campaign in coach Lovie Smith’s system and wanted better earnings on the one year remaining on his contract. After a few months of negotiation, Nelson lashed out on Instagram on June 28 prior to training camp.

He posted a picture of general manager Nick Caserio’s classic vest with the caption: “Can’t trust someone that wears one of these everyday of the week, clown freak.”

Despite not listing his name, it was obvious who Nelson was referring to. They did eventually reach a contract compromise during training camp, but fans will remember the post all the same.

On his new podcast “The Corner Suite,” Nelson recently discussed this dispute, his regret for it, and how surprised he was at its explosion on social media.

“What’s crazy is, I made a little joke about Nick’s vest, or wardrobe, whatever the case may be,” Nelson said. “I didn’t think it would be as viral as it went. Plus, I didn’t even mention the guy’s name.

“That just goes to show the power of social media. You’ve got all these millions of random people, they’re going to blow everything up. You’ve got people with podcasts, the radio stations, they blew it up.”

The debut episode also features Nelson discussing the team’s transition under head coach DeMeco Ryans, his rise to captaincy with the team, and an overall assessment of his performance in the 2023 season.

Fans will have to see if Nelson and Caserio can yet again agree to a compromise, this time one that would bring the cornerback back to Houston for the 2024 season. He’s a pending free agent and his departure could leave a huge hole at cornerback for the Texans.

4 lessons for the Texans from Super Bowl 58

If the Houston Texans want a shot at a Lombardi Trophy, they should follow these lessons from Super Bowl 58.

Another NFL season has come and gone and the Kansas City Chiefs are once again Super Bowl champions.

The Chiefs are the first team to win repeat Super Bowl titles since the 2003-2004 New England Patriots and with their win, Kansas City’s duo of Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes enters a similar “dynasty” territory the Patriots had with head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.

Unfortunately for the Houston Texans, this is a team they’ll have to deal with if they ever want to compete for a Super Bowl title or even just advance to their first AFC championship game in franchise history. Mahomes will be there at the end of the tunnel for years to come.

As Houston enters a pivotal offseason where they will need to make dramatic improvements if they want to compete with Kansas City, here are four lessons from Super Bowl LVIII they should remember.

15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023: No. 6 Derek Stingley

Up next in our “15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023” series is Derek Stingley, who’s coming off a breakout season.

The Houston Texans had an extremely successful 2023 campaign.

They cruised to a 10-7 record under new head coach DeMeco Ryans and captured several accolades along the way. They won the AFC South and won a playoff game for the first time since the 2019 season. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud won PFWA’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, rookie edge rusher Will Anderson won PFWA’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, and even Ryans took home hardware with PFWA’s Coach of the Year.

With a revamped team effort that led to dramatic improvements compared to both the 2021 and 2022 Texans, it’s worth examining who created that impact this past season and what their future projects moving forward.

This series has taken a look at defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, running back Devin Singletary, rookie receiver Tank Dell, and veteran tackle George Fant, and upstart linebacker Blake Cashman.

Entering the top 10, we took a closer look at cornerback Steven Nelson and linebacker Christian Harris, and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, and franchise left tackle Laremy Tunsil.

Before entering the top-5, cornerback Derek Stingley makes an appearance after a breakout 2023 campaign.

J.J. Watt considered unretiring to join the Texans

Texans great J.J. Watt admitted he considered a return to the NFL to play for his old team last season.

It was speculated all season.

Ever since the Houston Texans started to win games under new head coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud started to prove himself as one of the league’s premier players there was an overarching question that couldn’t be helped as a former Texans legend sang his praise of the new team.

Was there any chance J.J. Watt would unretire and play for Ryans?

Watt was openly working out at the facility and would admit as much when he talked about Houston’s success weekly on the Pat McAfee show. Houston had a dire need for a third pass rusher, one they eventually found in Derek Barnett, and the fit seemed logical once the Texans were playoff bound.

It turns out, fans weren’t too far off from their hopes according to Watt himself on the Pat McAfee show this week.

“Halfway through this last season, I definitely was monitoring the Steelers and Texans situations but it never escalated into any sort of actual potential,” Watt said.

He added: “I’m very pleased with the way things went. If it was something where I could have brought something that propelled someone to a potential Super Bowl, fill in a need to take them to a new level. Just to do it would have been ridiculous.”

It sounds like Watt would have only truly considered it if he could have played with his brothers or if the Texans had been clear Super Bowl contender rather than a plucky underdog in the playoffs.

Still, it’s interesting to hear the future Hall of Famer and future Texans Ring of Honor player admit that it was under consideration during the year.

Houston will have to find other ways to boost their pass rush moving forward. Breakout player Jonathan Greenard is an unrestricted free agent as well as midseason addition Derek Barnett. Their ability to pair another player with young star Will Anderson will be one to monitor as Ryans looks to assemble a Super Bowl-caliber defense.

15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023: No. 9 Christian Harris

Up next in our “15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023” series is Christian Harris, who had a breakout year.

The Houston Texans had an extremely successful 2023 campaign.

They cruised to a 10-7 record under new head coach DeMeco Ryans and captured several accolades along the way. They won the AFC South and won a playoff game for the first time since the 2019 season. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud won PFWA’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, rookie edge rusher Will Anderson won PFWA’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, and even Ryans took home hardware with PFWA’s Coach of the Year.

With a revamped team effort that led to dramatic improvements compared to both the 2021 and 2022 Texans, it’s worth examining who created that impact this past season and what their future projects moving forward.

This series has taken a look at defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, running back Devin Singletary, rookie receiver Tank Dell, and veteran tackle George Fant, and upstart linebacker Blake Cashman.

Entering the top 10, we took a closer look at cornerback Steven Nelson and now transition to breakout second-year linebacker Christian Harris.

15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023: No. 10 Steven Nelson

Steven Nelson turned in one of the best seasons of his career in 2023, helping the Texans make the playoffs and win a postseason game

The Houston Texans had an extremely successful 2023 campaign.

They cruised to a 10-7 record under new head coach DeMeco Ryans and captured several accolades along the way. They won the AFC South and won a playoff game for the first time since the 2019 season. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud won PFWA’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, rookie edge rusher Will Anderson won PFWA’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, and even Ryans took home hardware with PFWA’s Coach of the Year.

With a revamped team effort that led to dramatic improvements compared to both the 2021 and 2022 Texans, it’s worth examining who created that impact this past season and what their future projects moving forward.

This series has taken a look at defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, running back Devin Singletary, rookie receiver Tank Dell, and veteran tackle George Fant, and upstart linebacker Blake Cashman.

Today, we take a closer look at cornerback Steven Nelson.

15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023: No. 11 Blake Cashman

Up next in our “15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023” series is Blake Cashman, who was an unsung hero for Houston’s defense.

The Houston Texans had, by all accounts, an extremely successful 2023 campaign.

They cruised to a 10-7 record under new head coach DeMeco Ryans and captured several accolades along the way. They won the AFC South and won a playoff game for the first time since the 2019 season. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud won PFWA’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, rookie edge rusher Will Anderson won PFWA’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, and even Ryans took home hardware with PFWA’s Coach of the Year.

With a revamped team effort that led to dramatic improvements compared to both the 2021 and 2022 Texans, it’s worth examining who created that impact this past season and what their future projects moving forward.

This series has taken a look at defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, running back Devin Singletary, rookie receiver Tank Dell, and veteran tackle George Fant. Today, attention turns towards the ball-hawking linebacker Blake Cashman.

Texans 4-round mock draft: Senior Bowl exclusive

What if the Texans could only draft from the Senior Bowl? John Crumpler’s latest mock draft does just that.

Senior Bowl practices have officially come and gone in Mobile, Ala.

One of the most talented groups in years, according to director Jim Nagy, did not disappoint. It was a phenomenal week of football that saw multiple NFL draft prospects help themselves over three days of practice against their draft-eligible peers.

The Houston Texans are involved heavily in this event annually. Last year, the team selected participants Tank Dell, Henry To’oTo’o, Dylan Horton and Jarrett Patterson. This year, general manager Nick Caserio and director of college scouting James Liipfert were both present, and multiple players confirmed meetings with the team.

What if the Texans could only draft from the Senior Bowl? Well, fortunately, there would be plenty of talent to choose from. This mock draft goes through the first four rounds with four players to watch in each potential round from the Senior Bowl that could majorly boost the Texans in April.

Senior Bowl Notebook: Day 2 observations and confirmed meetings with Texans

Notes from the second day of practice at the Senior Bowl, including a bunch of confirmed prospect meetings for the Texans

The 2024 Senior Bowl raged on during Wednesday’s practice and the upcoming class of NFL draft prospects once again shined with opportunities against their peers.

Texans Wire’s own John Crumpler was on the ground to look at potential future additions for the Houston Texans and these were his notes from practice – with a particular focus on wide receivers, defensive linemen, and defensive backs.