The Texans have scattered for vacation and return near the end of July for their first training camp under new coach DeMeco Ryans and first-year coordinators Bobby Slowik (offense) and Matt Burke (defense). Coaches are always pleased with their team’s offseason programs. Nary a negative word. But there’s a lot of truth to the Texans’ positivity.
Everyone – the McNair family, front-office executives, players, coaches and employees behind the scenes – was excited about the offseason program and is fired up about the start of the DeMeco Ryans Era.
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After watching the rookie minicamp, OTAs and mandatory minicamp, here are 10 things we learned during the Texans’ offseason program.
1. Everyone who watched quarterback C.J. Stroud as a two-year starter at Ohio State as well as his combine and pro day knew he could throw the ball accurately and with impressive touch and velocity.
Stroud showed that as soon as he got on the practice field at Houston Methodist Training Center. But what impressed everyone the most was how hard he worked to excel in the NFL and how much time he devoted to learning as much as he could from players and coaches on both sides of the ball.
Stroud seems to be a natural leader. At one team event, he introduced himself to the families of his teammates, going around the room and chatting with wives and kids. He did that on a regular basis every chance he got during the offseason program. Very impressive for a rookie.
2. Defensive end Will Anderson Jr., drafted one spot behind Stroud after general manager Nick Caserio traded up with Arizona, has All-Pro written all over him even though the coaches won’t go that far in their praise. Anderson has speed, quickness, a terrific change of direction and a willingness to learn as fast as possible.
He got practice time at end on both sides and even inside, which would expose him to a lot of contact and abuse because he’s undersized to be taking on double-teams from guards and centers. He’s best rushing from the edges.
Anderson is stronger than the Texans thought he’d be, and part of that strength extends to his hands, the better to win hand fights with pass protectors.
3. Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who battled injuries and inconsistency after being the third overall pick last year, worked hard in the weight room and seems to be stockier without losing speed and quickness.
Playing man coverage, when he had to turn and run down the sideline with receivers, he was all over them. They say he’s stronger. He’ll play more man coverage than last season, and that’s his strength.
He also seems to be more comfortable in the defense installed by DeMeco Ryans and Matt Burke, which should also mean he’s more confident.
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4. Two new offensive veterans – receiver Robert Woods and right guard Shaq Mason – worked their butts off during the offseason. They impressed teammates and coaches on and off the field. Don’t be surprised if they’re among the captains for the first game at Baltimore.
Woods, who signed as a free agent from Tennessee, is all the way back physically and mentally from a torn ACL in 2021. He spent a lot of time developing a relationship with the quarterbacks, especially Stroud because he needs it the most. The quarterback needs a go-to receiver, and that should be Woods.
Mason, whose strength is run blocking, was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay and is becoming the leader of the offensive line. He earned Super Bowl rings at New England, and that made quite an impression on his new teammates.
Based on how hard he worked and his willingness to help the younger linemen, he’s earning the kind of respect that gets the attention of his teammates and coaches.
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5. Speaking of captains, it won’t be too surprising if safeties Jimmie Ward and Jalen Pitre end up with that designation.
Ward, who played his first nine seasons with the 49ers, followed DeMeco Ryans to Houston. He played in the slot last season, which he didn’t like to do, and now he’s returned to his natural safety position opposite Pitre. He looks comfortable and seemed to have a lot of fun. Ward’s experience will help Pitre going into his second season.
They were almost inseparable during the offseason program. Ward’s 31 but shows no signs of slowing down. The coaches won’t say this publicly, but they believe Pitre is going to be among the NFL’s best safeties based on how much he’s improved from his rookie season.
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6. Receiver Noah Brown, signed as a free agent from Dallas, made a positive impression on his coaches. At 6-2, 225, he’s got outstanding size and showed the talent to play outside or inside – however he can get playing time. His fifth and last season with the Cowboys was his best. In 13 starts, he caught 43 passes for 555 yards and three touchdowns.
Like former Dallas teammate Dalton Schultz, Brown is looking for an opportunity. During the offseason program, he took advantage of his opportunities on the field and has a chance to get a lot of playing time if he keeps it up during camp and preseason.
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7. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil is the Texans’ best and most decorated player. He doesn’t participate in the offseason program – must be counting all those millions the Texans have paid him twice – but when he showed up for the mandatory minicamp, he slid right in and looked like an All-Pro.
Tunsil is coming off another outstanding season. He’s one of the league’s premier pass protectors. He’s had a new offensive line coach every year, but it hasn’t affected his performance. He stayed in shape working on his own and didn’t skip a beat during the minicamp on the field or in the classroom.
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8. What were cornerback Steven Nelson and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins thinking not participating in the offseason program? Nelson is a nine-year veteran who’s 30 and has one year left on his contract. He played well last season. He skipped the offseason program but showed for the minicamp. He should have been at NRG Stadium trying to impress his new coaches. Rankins, who signed a one-year contract after leaving the Jets, has an opportunity to play opposite Maliek Collins.
Rankins is 29 and entering his eighth season. The Texans are his third team in four years. He also should have been at the offseason program trying to impress his coaches. There’s a lot of competition for the spot next to Collins, who signed an extension.
Coaches won’t admit this because the offseason program is voluntary, but if it’s a tie when the 53-man roster is being set, the player who spent the offseason working and sweating with his teammates and coaches is going to have the advantage.
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9. It’s not a surprise to anyone who watched Alabama the last two years, but it’s not out of the question rookie linebacker Henry To’oTo’o just might be a starter. Nick Caserio got him in the fifth round after watching him excel at Tennessee and Alabama, where he was one of Nick Saban’s favorites.
The coaches love how hard To’oTo’o works and how smart and instinctive he is. He can play the run or drop into coverage. He’s got one of those motors that’s always running, which coaches love, of course.
He could start next to Christian Harris and behind defensive end Will Anderson Jr., which would give DeMeco Ryans three defensive starters from Alabama.
10. A lot of teams must be envious of the stability the Texans have on special teams. Some coaches are still looking for kickers and punters but not the Texans. Coordinator Frank Ross had the NFL’s best special teams last season.
Watching them work by themselves on a separate field during team drills and then join their teammates for special team sessions during OTAs and minicamp showed how fortunate the Texans don’t have problems like some other teams.
Snapper Jon Weeks is as much a part of the NRG complex as the Astrodome and has been around almost as long. He hasn’t had a bad snap in his 13 seasons. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn is entering his eighth season and punter Cameron Johnston his third. Ross’ return game could improve with rookie receiver Tank Dell competing for a return job.
John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on SportsRadio 610 and Thursday on Texans Radio. He writes three columns a week and does two Houtopia Football Podcasts for SportsRadio610.com.