Texans Rookie Class Grade: Too Low or Just Right?
The Houston Texans' young talent undoubtedly provided a sense of optimism, despite finishing with the second-worst record during the 2022-23 NFL season.
The youth movement is strong in the NFL, with multiple rookies making major impacts in crucial moments. Unsurprisingly, the New York Jets had the best rookie class, according to NFL.com, with rookies Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson each earning a Rookie of the Year Honor.
How does the Texans rookie class compare? Houston's 2022-23 class ranked No. 11 of the 32 teams. Here is what NFL.com said of the Texans' rookies:
Derek Stingley arrived as a highly touted corner who looked the part in coverage but didn't quite produce enough positive plays to draw high marks. His season was abbreviated by a hamstring injury.
Kenyon Green struggled mightily in his first season, finishing with an ugly Pro Football Focus grade of 37.7 on offense.
Jalen Pitre didn't put together a complete rookie season, primarily because his aggression often cost him, but he certainly showed plenty of flashes -- including five interceptions and eight passes defensed -- that suggest he'll have a solid career.
Dameon Pierce was a slam-dunk of a pick who quickly earned the starting job and flirted with 1,000 rushing yards before his season was cut short by an ankle injury. He'll be an important part of the Texans' future
Drafted in the fourth round, Pierce could be considered a steal after finishing the season with 939 rushing yards and four touchdowns, along with 30 catches for 165 yards and one touchdown through 13 games and starts. The Florida product finished third in rushing yards among rookies behind Seattle Seahawks’ Kenneth Walker and the Atlanta Falcons’ Tyler Allgeier, giving Texans fans a glimpse at his bright future.
The Texans are currently scouting the NFL Combine in search of the next-best class. The combine runs from Feb. 27 to March 6 in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. Former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is the favorite (-175) to be drafted No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Chicago Bears own the first pick, however, there are multiple quarterback-needy teams (including Houston) who may desire to trade up. The draft will take place at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. with the first round beginning on April 27.
Houston owns two first-round picks are in a prime position to change the trajectory of their franchise once the draft rolls around in April.
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