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The new-look Houston Texans will enter the 2023 NFL season with a renewed sense of optimism, and for good reason. The Texans have overhauled a 3-13-1 team almost completely, bringing in franchise legend and new head coach DeMeco Ryans to turn the Texans around.
After a successful draft that included the acquisition of potential franchise quarterback CJ Stroud out of Ohio State and defensive difference-maker Will Anderson from Alabama, the Texans may have locked in arguably the two most important positions in football for the foreseeable future.
But how will the Texans fare this year? Let's take a look into the future with four bold predictions for the Texans' 2023 NFL season.
1. Dameon Pierce will finish top-3 in rushing yards
If you don't already know, you're about to find out. Dameon Pierce is one of the league's most physical and violent runners, breaking tackles and dragging defensive backs with him for extra yards on seemingly every carry. Pierce is reminiscent of Frank Gore as a runner, as there aren't a lot of bells and whistles, but he reads the hole extremely well and churns out tough yards after contact.
Pierce was first in missed tackles forced per attempt last year (min: 100 carries) and was on pace for 1,227 yards last season before an ankle injury sidelined him for the final four games. That number would have been good enough for 6th in the NFL in rushing yards last year, despite the Texans not having much talent around him.
That changes this season. With the addition of Stroud, a solid tight end in Dalton Schultz, an exciting playmaker in Tank Dell and improvements across the offensive line via free agent signings and trades, Pierce will have the support he needs to flourish in Houston's backfield.
With Stroud learning the ropes, the Texans lean heavily on Pierce in a true bellcow role, and he finishes the season top-3 in rushing yards.
2. CJ Stroud will win Offensive Rookie of the Year
Stroud may be a little overlooked heading into his rookie season, with Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson garnering more headlines. But here's guessing that it's Stroud who leads the most successful team early on out of the three quarterbacks, relying on Pierce and the run game to end up in positive game scripts more often than initially anticipated.
Stroud begins his year up and down like most rookie quarterbacks do, but he finds his feet on the road in Atlanta in Week 5, and leads the Texans to win four of their next five games to generate all the award buzz needed, and never looks back from there.
Stroud is widely praised for his ability to effectively manage the game, while showing pinpoint accuracy in getting his playmakers the ball out in space. He doesn't try to do too much, proving his 85-to-12 touchdown-to-interception ratio at Ohio State was the real deal. Stroud finishes the year with single-digit interceptions and 20 touchdown passes in an efficient and productive rookie campaign.
3. Tank Dell becomes Houston's WR1
In a receiver room that includes Nico Collins, Robert Woods, Noah Brown and John Metchie III, it's actually Tank Dell, the 5-foot-9, 165-pound rookie receiver, who leads the Texans in receiving. Dell's connection with Stroud, who asked the Texans to pick him the third-round of the draft, carries over to the regular season, where Dell is electric with the ball in his hands and racks up yards in the screen game and on shallow crossing routes over the middle of the field.
Dell continues to defy the odds after an incredible collegiate career, becoming a major target earner and Stroud's go-to option in tough situations. His speed and sharp route running help him pace the Texans offense, providing another legitimate weapon for Stroud in addition to Dameon Pierce.
4. The Texans will be 6-4 and tied for first in the AFC South heading into Week 12
After starting off slow with a 1-3 record against some tough opponents, Stroud finds his way and the offense starts clicking against the soft spot of Houston's schedule against the NFC South. The Texans rattle off wins against the Falcons, Saints, Panthers, Buccaneers, and Cardinals, shockingly pulling to a 6-4 record in a Week 12 battle for sole possession of first place in the AFC South with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Although the Texans ultimately end up missing the playoffs, the big turnaround under rookie head coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback CJ Stroud create positive momentum heading into the next season, making the 2023 campaign an incredibly successful one.
