The Houston Texans have made headlines this offseason with a slew of big-name additions, but can they live up to the hype? Our AFC South reporter examines the Texans' strengths and weaknesses to determine if they're a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
The Houston Texans have been the talk of the offseason, accumulating an impressive roster through both free agency and the draft. Led by first-time head coach DeMeco Ryans and breakout quarterback C.J. Stroud, Houston is aiming to build on last year's success that saw them win 10 games and earn their first division title in four years.
However, the question remains: have the Texans been too hyped? After all, history is littered with examples of teams that have flopped on the field after making splashy offseason moves.
One area of concern for the Texans is the secondary, which ranked 23rd in pass defense last season. The team allowed 60 receptions of 20-plus yards in 2023, sixth-most in the league. Houston has added some depth with the signings of Jeff Okudah and CJ Henderson, but the pecking order outside of Derek Stingley Jr. remains unclear.
Another question mark lies on the interior defensive line, where the Texans traded away Maliek Collins and have yet to find a suitable replacement. They're banking on the versatility of Denico Autry and the firepower on the edge to shore up any potential deficiencies.
Despite these concerns, the Texans have plenty of strengths to build on. Their receiving corps, led by Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, is set to be one of the most productive in the NFL. Joe Mixon gives the team a flashy upgrade at running back, while Will Anderson Jr. is a reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year on the edge.
However, it's important to remember that talk doesn't win games. The Texans have the potential to be a Super Bowl contender, but they need to prove it on the field. They have a lot of talented pieces in place, but they also have some areas that need improvement.
As head coach DeMeco Ryans said, "We don't care about expectations. Talk doesn't win games." Only time will tell if the Texans can live up to the hype.
On paper, the Texans have a team that could make some noise in the AFC. But there are still some questions that need to be answered before they can be considered a legitimate Super Bowl contender. The Texans have a lot of potential, but they also have some areas that need improvement. Only time will tell if the Texans can live up to the hype.
