At the dawn of the 2022 season, We Sport looks back on the situation of the 32 NFL franchises. Today, focus on the Houston Texans, rid of Deshaun Watson and looking for progress.
The balance sheet of Houston Texans last season
New season missed in Houston. Deprived of Deshaun Watson for extra-sporting reasons, the Texans have stagnated at the bottom of the standings all year. 30e attack and 27e defense, David Culley’s men, who arrived to take over from Bill O’Brien, delivered a season that will not be remembered. A season that will have cost Culley his job after only a year on the bench, but which will have allowed Davis Mills to reveal themselves, bringing some hope for the coming season.
[4-13]no playoffs
The movements of the off-season
David Culley relieved of his functions, it is his former defensive coordinator Lovie Smith who replaced him. And the efforts were mainly concentrated on this side of the field during the offseason. In trouble on the pass rush, Houston signed veterans Mario Addison and Jerry Hughes, as well as Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, champion with the Rams. Pass defense was also considered, with rookies Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre taking over from Justin Reid and Terrance Mitchell. Also noteworthy are the efforts made on the linebackers line, with a signing (Reeves-Maybin), an extension (Kirksey) and a draft pick (Harris).
On the other side of the field, it is the offensive line that has crystallized the most attention. Marcus Cannon gone, the Texans bet on AJ Cann, snatched from one of their division rivals. The rookie Kenyon Green will come to reinforce him inside a squad in progress. The group of receivers also recorded a reinforcement with the draft of John Metchie III, who will evolve alongside Brandin Cooks, extended during the spring. Houston also parted ways with Deshaun Watson, sent to the Browns after a season away from the field.
Major arrivals: OF Mario Addison (Bills), OT A.J. Cann (Jaguars), OF Jerry Hughes (Bills), OF Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Rams), LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (Lions)
Notable departures: WR Danny Amendola (Retirement), OT Marcus Cannon (—), CB Terrance Mitchell (Patriots), S Justin Reid (Chiefs), QB Deshaun Watson (Browns)
Extensions: DT Maliek Collins, WR Brandin Cooks, LB Christian Kirksey
Draft* : CB Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU), AND Kenyon Green (Texas A&M), S Jalen Pitre (Baylor), WR John Metchie III (Alabama), LB Christian Harris (Alabama)
* Only the players selected during the first two days are mentioned.
The number of Houston Texans 2022
In Houston, the strong point is surely in the aerial game. Around Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins, the group of receivers looks great and will put Davis Mills in the best mood. The offensive line also seems to be in progress, which can count on Laremy Tunsil on the blind side. The racing game, on the other hand, poses more questions, and will rely heavily on the production of rookie Dameon Pierce, drafted in 4e turn this year.
In defense, Maliek Collins was the only player to float slightly on the defensive line last season. Surrounded by Jonathan Greenard and Ogbonna Okoronkwo as well as veterans (Hugues, Addison), he could raise the level in this area of play, where Houston was struggling to reach the quarterback and defend against the run. The second curtain does not, for the moment, provide any more guarantees, and we must turn to the backfield defensive to catch a glimpse of a strong point. With rookies Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre, the Texans have two playmakers to develop, which could transcend pass defense if they quickly adapt to the professional world.
Also noteworthy is the good level of the special teams in Houston, where Tremon Smith has established himself as an excellent returner.
Houston Texans : Ambitions and ranking
No big ambitions in Houston in 2022, but a desire to progress. Under the aegis of Lovie Smith, the defense will have to turn a corner, while the attack will hope that Davis Mills confirms and asserts itself as a real solution for the future. Even if Houston finishes last in its division, progress and play would already be signs of success for the future, because it will take time for the reconstruction to end for the franchise.
Player to watch: Davis Mills
He will be the barometer of the Texans season. Promising last season, Davis Mills will have to confirm his good debut in the NFL over a full season to convince Houston that he is able to start in the years to come. A ray of sunshine in the Texas fog, the former Stanford player in the NCAA will be decisive in the success or otherwise of Houston this season, and in building the future of the franchise.
The calendar of Houston Texans in 2022
Week 1 vs Indianapolis Colts | Week 2 @ Denver Broncos | Week 3 @ Chicago Bears |
Week 4 vs Los Angeles Chargers | Week 5 @ Jacksonville Jaguars | Week 6 BYE |
Week 7 @ Las Vegas Raiders | Week 8 vs Tennessee Titans | Week 9 vs Philadelphia Eagles |
Week 10 @ New York Giants | Week 11 vs Washington Commanders | Week 12 @ Miami Dolphins |
Week 13 vs Cleveland Browns | Week 14 @ Dallas Cowboys | Week 15 vs Kansas City Chiefs |
Week 16 @ Tennessee Titans | Week 17 vs Jacksonville Jaguars | Week 18 @ Indianapolis Colts |
Feature image credit: USA TODAY Sports
Louis Rousseau
The words “Minnesota Miracle” and “No-Call” are scratched from my vocabulary. My heart mourns the retirement of Drew Brees as my eyes finally widen watching the Knicks.
