Tag: Texans football

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.”

Texans release 3 players before NFL draft

The Houston Texans are freeing up roster spots just before the draft class.

With potentially nine players joining the Houston Texans come draft week, general manager Nick Caserio is trimming fat early.

The Texans released wide receiver Alex Bachman, defensive end Myjai Sanders and defensive back Josh Thompson on Tuesday, per the team’s media staff. Sanders was on the active roster while Bachman was on the practice squad as part of the AFC South champions.

A former third-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals out of Cincinnati, Sanders was picked up off waivers before the start of the regular season. He appeared in seven games last season, recording seven tackles, one for a loss and two quarterback hits.

A member of the 2021 College Football Playoff roster from the American Athletic Conference, Sanders has recorded 30 tackles and three sacks in 20 games since being drafted.

Thompson, a former starter for the Texas Longhorns player, signed a reserve-future deal in January. He previously was a member of the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Bachman signed a reserve future deal after being re-signed to the practice squad last season after previously being released from injured reserve on an injury settlement.

The Texans targeted both defensive end and receiver in free agency after securing the division title for the first time in four years. Houston inked a two-year, $51 million deal with four-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter following an eight-year stay with the Minnesota Vikings.

Houston also traded a 2025 second-round pick to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for Pro Bowl target Stefon Diggs and a 2024 sixth-round pick. While Diggs, 30, previously signed a four-year, $104 million extension with the Bills back in April 2022, Houston chose to void the final three years of his deal, giving him the ability to become a free agent after this season.

The Texans added $3.5 million in guaranteed money to Diggs’ contract next season, raising his annual salary to $22.52 million.

Texans host former Georgia DB Javon Bullard for top-30 visit

The Houston Texans are looking for safety prospects entering the 2024 NFL Draft, and could find a steal in Georgia’s Javon Bullard.

Georgia’s Javon Bullard has appeared as a target for the Houston Texans in multiple mock drafts. Now, that projection could soon be a reality.

The former Bulldogs defensive back visited NRG Stadium Tuesday, according to KPRC2 Sports Aaron Wilson. This marks the second time the Texans have met with Bullard since the start of the pre-draft process.

A two-year starter, Bullard was essential in helping Georgia hoist back-to-back national titles under Kirby Smart. Known for his hard-hitting demeanor, the 5-foot-10 do-it-all defender might be best known for his game-saving touchdown tackle against Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. in the Peach Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal.

Bullard was later named Defensive MVP of the 2023 national championship after recording two interceptions against TCU en route to a 65-7 victory at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Last season, Bullard was credited with 55 tackles, one for a loss and two interceptions in 13 games. He elected to forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the draft after defeating Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

Bullard switched positions from the STAR to free safety last season to make room for Tykee Smith in the slot. He and Malaki Stark helped Georgia finish with a top-10 pass defense en route to a 14-1 season, alongside Smith and cornerback Kamari Lassiter.

The Texans are looking for position flexibility in the secondary heading into Year 2 of the DeMeco Ryans’ era. The nickel position is one area that remains unknown given the status of the safety room.

Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward were serviceable while helping Houston clinch its first AFC South title in four years, but were also inconsistent in man coverage. Pitre, who enters a crucial Year 3 with Houston, was credited with 14 missed tackles last season in coverage.

Ward missed nine games, including both playoff matchups, due to multiple injuries and was placed on the second-ending injured reserve in late December.

Bullard, a projected third-round pick, likely wouldn’t start from the jump, but his presence could raise the level of competition in practice. All three defenders have experience playing in the nickel, too. Pitre, who won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, shined at Baylor as the team’s starting STAR position.

Ward, who joined Ryans after eight seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, began his career at the nickel before transitioning to safety in 2018. In 2022, he shifted back to the slot role following the emergence of All-Pro Talanoa Hufanga.

The Texans currently own nine picks in the draft, including two picks in the second, fourth, sixth, and seventh rounds, respectively. The Texans also own pick No. 86 in the third round.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reveals how Texans landed WR Stefon Diggs

The Houston Texans shocked the NFL world after trading away the No. 23 pick to the Minnesota Vikings, but that was the plan from the jump when they realized Stefon Diggs could be coming to town.

Stefon Diggs is officially a member of the Houston Texans and hopes to be the reason why the AFC South winners are contenders again in 2024.

But how did Houston land Diggs? What happened behind closed doors that led to Buffalo cutting ties with the disgruntled wide receiver and taking a $31 million dead-cap hit?

Surprisingly, his old team in Minnesota was involved.

During an interview on “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter mentioned that Houston planned on trading its first-round pick (No. 23) to the Vikings to land better draft compensation without moving too far down the pecking order.

Minnesota offered its second-round pick (No. 42), a sixth-round pick (No. 188) and a 2025 second-round pick. That latter was used to acquire Diggs, along with a 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 189) and a 2025 fifth-round pick.

“A couple of weeks back, the Texans went to the Vikings to initiate a trade to get out of the first round,” Schefter said. “Everybody assumed it was the Vikings so they can go up and get a quarterback. But it was the Texans so they could be in a position to make a trade, like they did on Wednesday, for Stefon Diggs.”

Diggs heads to Houston looking for a career year to set up a payday next offseason. After Houston finalized the trade, it elected to void the final three years of his four-year, $104 million extension signed with Buffalo back in April 2022.

Houston still believes the version of Diggs that closed out 2023 will remain back in Buffalo and that a more aggressive and hungry version will take the field at NRG Stadium. Since 2020, he has led the league in receptions (445) and is one of only four players in league history to record four consecutive seasons with 100-plus receptions.

Diggs is also one of two receivers to be selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the past four seasons, along with the Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill.

Watch: Texans’ C.J. Stroud, Stefon Diggs building chemistry during workouts

Stefon Diggs and C.J. Stroud aren’t at NRG Stadium, but the two Houston Texans talents are working hard down at UCLA.

Stefon Diggs is ready to prove his best years are still ahead as the Houston Texans’ new No. 1 receiver.

Well, maybe he’s 1B behind Nico Collins, but Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud will take as many 1,000-yard targets for his breakout second season.

Diggs, acquired by Houston in a trade after a four-year stay with the Buffalo Bills, has already hit the ground running working alongside his new quarterback. This past weekend, the four-time Pro Bowler joined Stroud, plus Tank Dell and John Metchie III for a spring workout at a UCLA practice field Saturday evening.

For those watching on social media, it was an up-close look at the new offense expected to make waves in the AFC come 2024. And imagine how much different the offensive play design looks with Collins added into the mix.

Diggs, 30, is the hopeful missing link on offense. Houston already bolstered its ground game by trading for Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon. It also improved its defensive front seven with the additions of linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and All-Pro defensive end Danielle Hunter.

Diggs is entering a contract year after Houston voided the final three years of his extension signed back in 2022, and he is looking to cash in one final time on a lucrative deal.

Could it be with Houston? Time will tell if the two sides find a common ground while building a foundation as the next great franchise in the AFC for years to come.

Even if Diggs has lost a step as he enters the back half of his career, the Texans believe they’re getting a Pro Bowl-caliber target. They should, too. Diggs has posted six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons dating back to his time with the Minnesota Vikings.

In Buffalo, he hauled in at least 103 catches each season, including an NFL-leading 127 catches in 2020. He also finished with over 1,110 yards and averaged eight touchdowns per year.

A healthy Dell should open the passing attack more both in the slot and on the perimeter. The third-round pick was one pace to finish with over 1,000 yards as Houston’s No. 2 option, but a fractured fibula in early December sidelined him for the postseason run.

The Texans also brought back tight end Dalton Schultz, who stepped up as a security blanket in big games across the middle of the field. He was a priority free agent among those leaving this offseason after building a budding chemistry with Stroud late during the postseason run.

There’s an argument to be had that Houston currently owns the best-receiving trio in the AFC. On paper, it’s warranted. On the field, let’s wait to see in live games, but it’s good to see them working out away from Texas and building off last season’s success.

ESPN list All-American safety as “perfect fit” for Texans

The Houston Texans need to upgrade their safety room and ESPN believes Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin is the ideal fit for DeMeco Ryans’ defense.

Even after spending over $142 million this offseason, the Houston Texans still could use an upgrade to their secondary. More specifically, Houston could be in the market for another safety.

Barring a last-second swing at one of the remaining free agents, pivoting toward the draft might be general manager Nick Caserio’s best plan of adding competition to the back end. With two picks in the second round, one could be used to add a more nuanced defender who can be a constant in coverage downfield.

Everything for the Texans is about fit. After splurging to land talents like Danielle Hunter, Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs, Houston is swinging for a shot at the Super Bowl in 2024, so adding a prospect with upside does little to the immediate plans.

One prospect to monitor? Minnesota All-American Tyler Nubin. According to ESPN’s Matt Bowen, the three-year starter is a “perfect fit” for DeMeco Ryans’ defensive formation.

Nubin is an easy fit for DeMeco Ryans’ defense given his coverage awareness, demeanor, and ability to create production on the ball. In Houston, Nubin could run the alleys and play top down from split-field alignments, and he has the post instincts to patrol the middle third of the field as a center fielder. Nubin, who had 13 career interceptions for the Gophers, also has special teams upside on coverage units. – ESPN
Nubin was a human highlight reel during his time with the Golden Gophers. A physical tackler with a knack for playing the run, the 6-foot-2 defensive back flew to the football and was a constant for P.J. Fleck’s secondary.
Turnovers, however, are where Nubin shined. His 13 interceptions were a Big Ten record over three seasons, but he also was credited with 11 pass breakups.
Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward played well against the run, though Pitre was credited with 14 missed tackles. Both struggled at times playing deep in man coverage, often leading to explosive plays and a fresh set of downs for the offense.
Adding Nubin shouldn’t remove either player from the field. Pitre, a former second-round pick, won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year during his final season at Baylor while lining up as the ‘STAR’ or nickel defender.
Ward, who joined Ryans following his stint with the San Francisco 49ers, began his career in the Bay Area as a nickel-only defensive back before transitioning to safety in 2018. He also moved back down to the nickel spot in 2022 as the 49ers pushed their way to another NFC championship appearance following the emergence of Talanoa Hufanga.
The Texans, who finished 23rd in pass coverage, only recorded 14 interceptions, nine of which came from Derek Stingley Jr. and Steven Nelson. Stingley is locked up at least through the 2025 season and is viewed as the long-term No. 1 corner. Nelson remains a free agent, but a reunion feels unlikely after the Texans signed former first-rounders Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson.
Nubin could be the missing piece that transcends the Texans from playoff contender to Super Bowl front-runner. Safety should be addressed at some point during the draft, and the Texans’ first pick in Round 2 might be Nubin’s floor after a bountiful free agency.

New Texans WR Stefon Diggs says goodbye to Buffalo, Bills Mafia

Stefon Diggs said goodbye to the Buffalo Bills after a four-year stay before joining the Houston Texans.

Stefon Diggs is excited to be a mainstay with the Houston Texans beginning in 2024, but before he starts hauling in touchdowns from C.J. Stroud, he must say goodbye to Buffalo.

Diggs, who spent the previous four seasons as the Bills’ top weapon, penned his farewell to Western New York via Instagram, thanking them for embracing him as not just a player, but also a personality on and off the field.

โ€œI canโ€™t begin to express the amount of love and respect I have for the city of Buffalo,โ€ he wrote in the post, accompanied by a photo of himself in a Bills uniform. โ€œFour of the best years of my life, the city welcomed me with open arms. Iโ€™m forever grateful for you all and the [Buffalo Bills] organization! Something special was built over these years with some very special men, that will always have a place in my heart.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5UjuNfRCLP/

Traded for a 2025 second-round pick, Diggs receives a fresh start with an emerging team looking to go from AFC division winner to legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

Consider the four-time Pro Bowl pass-catcher the final piece to the offseason puzzle. General manager Nick Caserio embraced Stroud’s miniscule contract and built around the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Houston brought back tight end Dalton Schultz on a three-year, $36 million contract. They also traded a seventh-round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals for running back Joe Mixon before quickly inking him to a three-year extension worth up to $27 million.

Diggs, who could be under contract through 2027 if the Texans pick up his option following the season, was consistent during his time with the Bills. He caught over 100 passes per year and finished with at least 1,180 yards and eight TDs.

Reports surfaced last offseason that Diggs was unhappy with his situation in Buffalo following another playoff loss.ย  The two sides moved past the summer drama by training and Diggs finished the year with 107 receptions for 1,183 yards and eight scores.

After another loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round, Diggs said his future with the Bills was on a “day by dayโ€ basis.

The Texans don’t need Diggs to be the 2020 version of himself. Being a quality second option opposite 2023 breakout star Nico Collins shouldn’t be a tall ask. Stroud, who led the NFL in touchdown-to-interception ratio (23:5) is looking to build off a promising rookie campaign.

Diggs, 30, can be another security blanket on the perimeter for Stroud and a vocal presence in the locker room. While his time with the Bills soured, his feelings for the fans remain at an all-time high.

“Billsmafia, so many great memories created throughout the years. Those games were crazy because of you,” Diggs posted. “Sadly good things come to an end until we meet again.โ€