Insider Analysis: Houston Texans’ Most Pressurized Positions
In a remarkable turnaround, the Houston Texans stunned the NFL in 2023, bouncing back from a lackluster 3-13-1 season to clinch 10 victories and secure the AFC South championship. However, amidst the newfound success, certain individuals within the organization are under intense scrutiny. Here’s a breakdown of the three hottest seats in the Texans’ domain:
Running back Dameon Pierce
Pierce showed promise during his rookie campaign, tallying 939 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 220 carries, while also contributing 30 receptions and a receiving touchdown. Despite beginning the 2023 season as Houston’s primary rusher, Pierce lost his starting role to Devin Singletary midway through the season, culminating in a disappointing performance with only two games of 50 or more rushing yards.
With the recent acquisition of Joe Mixon, anticipated to assume the role of the team’s primary ball carrier, Pierce’s position is in jeopardy. Mixon boasts an impressive track record, with four seasons exceeding 1,000 rushing yards and seven or more rushing touchdowns. Should Pierce replicate his lackluster 2023 performance (416 rushing yards, 2.9 yards per carry, two touchdowns), he risks losing playing time to lesser-known backs on the Texans’ roster.
Wide receiver Robert Woods
Signed last offseason to provide stability to the Texans’ receiving corps, Woods is facing mounting pressure to justify his hefty salary of nearly $10 million. His previous season’s output of 40 receptions, 426 yards, and one touchdown falls short of the expected production.
Nico Collins emerged as a breakout star with 80 receptions, 1,297 yards, and eight touchdowns, solidifying himself as the Texans’ top receiver. Additionally, Tank Dell showcased immense potential, narrowly missing out on a 1,000-yard rookie season due to injury. With both Collins and Dell firmly established as the team’s primary receivers, Woods finds himself in a battle for the WR3 spot against competitors such as Noah Brown, John Metchie, and Xavier Hutchinson. Brown’s surpassing of Woods on the depth chart midway through the previous season further complicates Woods’ position, potentially relegating him to the fourth or fifth receiver slot based on training camp performance.
Defensive end Jerry Hughes
Following a standout season in 2022, where Hughes led the Texans with nine sacks, his performance took a dip in 2023, recording merely three sacks and 30 pressures across 17 games. With Houston bolstering their defensive line with acquisitions such as Denico Autry, Mario Edwards Jr., and Danielle Hunter, who achieved a career-high 16.5 sacks in 2023, Hughes faces heightened expectations to deliver results.
Failure to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks could jeopardize Hughes’ tenure with the Texans, as the team seeks to maximize defensive efficiency with its revamped lineup.
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