Texans Young O Exceeding Expectations

By: Michael A. Chase Jr.

10/12/2023

The 2023-2024 NFL season was set to be another developmental year for the Houston Texans. With a new head coach, rookie quarterback, and an overall young team coming off a 3-win season last year. This season the Texans are not only on pace to blow past last season's win total but do so while watching a young group on offense grow up at the NFL level. TUSV looks at a young offensive unit for the Houston Texans that is providing much hope for the current season and going forward.

The Houston Texans currently are 2-3 on the season, meaning they are just one win away from equaling their season total from last year. They've accomplished this with one of the youngest offensive units in the entire NFL as the average age of the main contributors on that side of the ball is 25.6 years of age. The significant improvement of this group offensively despite this lack of NFL experience is noticeable. The Texans averaged just 17 points per game last season which was tied for 30th in the NFL. This number has improved by an impressive six points as they now sit 12th in the league in points per game at 23.0 a game. They have also turned the ball over just twice through their first five games.

The incredible strides made in the passing game this year are a big reason this young offense is outperforming many preseason projections thus far. The Texans rank 3rd in total passing yards on the season with 1,467 yards. They've also generated a multitude of big plays through the air, being tied for 3rd in the league in 20+ yard completions and tied for 2nd in the league in 40+ yard completions. This is a big reason why they're 6th in yards per attempt at 7.8 a completion as well. Rushing-wise they've run for 413 yards as a team which is bottom half of the league but has picked up the last couple of games after a slow start. Their recent 139-yard rushing effort versus Pittsburgh is a major sign of life for Houston's rushing attack. Overall, this Houston offense is much more explosive than the last few seasons and is a big reason why they could end up blowing past the win total prediction many pundits had for them.

We must start with the QB they took 2nd overall in this past 2023 Draft, CJ Stroud out of Ohio State is the figurehead of this young offense. Stroud thus far has impressed passing for 1,461 yards and 7 touchdowns while completing 61.3% of his passes. The best number he has posted is the fact he has thrown 0 interceptions in his first 186 career passes which is closing in on an NFL record. His poise in the pocket and ability to make all the throws has been on full display and can only improve as the season continues.

In terms of his skill position players, he has benefitted from his fellow young teammates contributing at a high level. The receiver trio of Nico Collins (24 years old), Tank Dell (23 years old), and John Metchie (23 years old) have been reliable playmakers for him. Collins has been the top target, posting 25 receptions for 467 yards and 3 touchdowns. His receiving yardage total ranks 8th in the NFL and he is 3rd in the league with 11 receptions of 20+ yards. Tank Dell, the 69th overall pick of the 2023 Draft, has been a nice compliment to Collins hauling in 19 receptions, for 324 yards and 2 touchdowns so far in his rookie season. He’s showing to be a playmaker Houston must find more touches for as the season progresses. Then John Metchie is on the field and steadily starting to find a role in the offense. While he only has 6 receptions for 72 yards as he builds confidence and comfortability his role should expand as well.

Other playmakers include running back Dameon Pierce (23 years old) who has rushed for 247 yards and tallied 84 receiving yards as a workhorse back for a rush attack looking to improve. Offseason pickup RB Devin Singeltary (26 years old) has also helped with his change of pace and elusiveness to complement Pierce. Tight ends Dalton Schultz (27 years old) and Brevin Jordan (23 years old) will continue to be big security blankets going forward for their young QB. With Schultz specifically, his 17 receptions and 2 touchdowns should increase as he continues to adjust to the new offense he has joined, after leaving the Cowboys in the offseason. Plus, with young offensive linemen like 2022 1st round pick Keyon Green and 2023 draftee Kendrick Green on the mend this young unit will add more talent soon.

There is no telling how many wins the Texans will compile this season, but the progress their young QB and playmakers have made thus far is an immediate victory. It'll be great to watch this young team and head coach continue to exceed expectations as a group and maybe become one of the better offenses in the league by season's end.