Apparently, a driving issue with the OL last two years was that no one - including Slowick - knew how to teach/coach the ZBS scheme. Strausser and Popovich were not familiar with it, and I'm guessing Slowick's relative inexperience made it difficult for him to impart much wisdom. Why they set it up that way, I have no idea. So Popovich coming from the same system as Caley is a big step in the right direction, IMO. He'll better understand Caley's concepts, needs, language, personnel, etc. So while I was dubious of the Texans keeping nearly anyone from last year's staff, I do think the shared experiences will make a difference. How much ,etc., remains to be seen - but getting back to the fundamentals and coaching up an at least competent offensive line will be such a gigantic win for the Texans.
If I had my preference I would address guard in free agency. Draft a receiver in the first, then defense line second and third.
I tried my hand at a mock and the lowest grade I received was a B for Chris Paul... but I figure why not give CP3's son a hand at redemption in H-Town!!! 25 Tyler Booker IOL | Alabama 58 Grey Zabel IOL | North Dakota State 89 Jayden Higgins WR | Iowa State 127 Chris Paul Jr. LB | Mississippi 167 Jacob Parrish CB | Kansas State 243 Que Robinson EDGE | Alabama
This approach basically means we have no offensive weapons without even knowing if the offensive line issues were just protection scheme problems. There were so many communication problems on the line that I'm betting the biggest issue was not talent.
You could add a couple of WR's on the cheap. All would be upgrades. Rams- Robinson/Atwell Ravens- Wallace Browns- Moore Packers- Melton Give me Brashard Smith in the 4th rd over Higgins.
Really would like to add Atwell. or Elijah Moore, who is also an exceptional route runner and 1st Down getter. Projected contract for both by the A.I General manager is $ 5-6 Million per year. It was pretty accurate for last year's FA class.
Get Moore and Atwell or Robinson for 10-12 mil and that's a bargain. What does Demarcus Robinson's projected contract look like?
Interesting take on Golden as I thought route running and hands are his best attributes. Him or Egbuka would be nice additions for Stroud.
I’m hoping for Egbuka.. Saw the chemistry when adding Chase to burrow. Egbuka was strouds safety valve when he couldn’t get it to the stars. I think he’ll make a great #2-3 to be the Tank/Diggs replacement (great route running and hands as well as 3rd down assassin) then maybe look at a big body late or in FA that we can get for cheap opposite Collins.. I honestly think a Collins/Dhop/Egbuka lineup would be pretty dangerous open to others as the FA after Egbuka. But he’s our slot that can do what Diggs and tank do.
That's what I call it. It's just the Spotrac "Market Value" feature. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/market-value/_/id/72632/will-fries Just add an extra 3-5 million to adjust for teams spending a little more when the Cap increases, which has happened the past seasons and expected to increase again. PFF's projected contracts calculates that in but Spotrac is free.
With the OL, we've invested a #1 in 2022, #2 in 2023, and #2 in 2024. DONE of these guys have impressed, in fact they've been terrible to below average. I'll give Fisher a pass as a rookie, he may develop and look fine as our swing tackle this year. There is a chance Suggs can take over for Mason and play RG. But Green hasn't done anything in 3 years, so I'm not holding out any hope for next year. With that as a back drop, I'd prefer to look at veterans for C and LG. Looking at the list of FAs guys like Drew Dalman OC ( https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/drew-dalman/52270 ), Will Fries OG ( https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/will-fries/41530 ), Mekhi Becton OG ( https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/mekhi-becton/59818 ), and Kevin Zeitler OG ( https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/kevin-zeitler/7032 ) look interesting. I'd prefer to add vets versus hoping a rookie can protect CJ, we can't repeat last year again. @raining threes has been on Dalman and Fries for a while and I agree they would look good in Steel Blue. As for the draft if we focus on OL with 1-2 vets, then I think it opens us up to IDL, WR, DB, RB, and TE with our first picks. We definitely need to add some playmakers for CJ and some speed would be awesome.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2025/...-field-yates-first-round-predictions-32-picks 25. Houston Texans: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri Injury attrition hit the Texans hard this season, leaving them paper thin at wide receiver in the playoffs and staring at the possibility of being without Tank Dell (knee) for all of next season. There's a really good argument for Houston to find an offensive lineman here -- Oregon's Josh Conerly Jr. maybe? -- but Stroud also needs pass catchers with Stefon Diggs coming off a torn ACL and hitting free agency. Burden had an amazing 2023 season before struggling some in 2024 with middling QB play. But his combination of size, power and instincts as a run-after-catch player would be awesome for Houston.
