'Sweet Spot': DeMeco Ryans Explains Texans Trade Out Of First Round

The Houston Texans no longer have a first-round pick, but DeMeco Ryans isn't worried about which players could be off the board by the team the pick is made next month.

The Houston Texans might not be the NFL's best team entering 2024, but they will be one of the more exciting franchises behind C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr. and DeMeco Ryans.

On paper, consider that a win. Houston's been begging for change over four years following its collapse in the playoffs during the 2019 season. Who knew that the hiring of a former player and two swift moves in the first round of last year's draft would change the culture overnight?

Fun creates a dialogue. It doesn't promise wins, so everything the Texans do this offseason is about building off an AFC South title while fighting for a conference one.

Conversations now seem to point more toward the draft over adding a veteran in free agency, and there's more than one that certainly sticks out on Ryans' radar.

DeMeco Ryans

Rob Carr/GettyImages

"There's a lot of guys right there that can come in and help our team,” Ryans told reporters Monday at the NFL’s league meetings. “We feel like that’s where the sweet spot of the draft is this year. We’re excited about that move, and we feel we can add some really quality players.”

The Texans might not have a first-round pick after trading the No. 23 selection to the Minnesota Vikings, but they remain in striking distance for a game-changing player. Houston is also reaping the benefits of the Deshaun Watson trade from 2022, though two picks were used to move up nine spots to draft Anderson third overall out of Alabama last April.

When asked why Houston was willing to trade down 19 spots, Ryans said there are a lot of players they could target who still would be viewed as starters from Day 1. If any team could benefit from drafting on Day 2, it's the Texans, who have added several standouts in the second and third rounds since the rebuild began in 2020.

Feb 28, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio speaks at a press

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

General manager Nick Caserio struck gold last draft with Stroud and Anderson, but he's consistently brought in the right names during his previous three drafts. In 2021, he landed receiver Nico Collins in Round 3 and tight end Brevin Jordan in Round 5. A year later, Houston added safety Jalen Pitre and linebacker Christian Harris on Day 2.

Last April, Caserio brought in two offensive starters; interior lineman Juice Scruggs and receiver Tank Dell. Scruggs, whom Houston traded up for in the second round, provides position flexibility and should start at either left guard or center come Week 1.

Dell, who led all FBS receivers in receiving yards (1,398) and finished second in catches (109) at Houston, established himself as a quality No. 2 option behind Collins after catching 47 balls for 709 yards. Ryans said Dell should be cleared for offseason activities after suffering a season-ending fractured fibula.

“Tank is doing really well,” Ryans said. "He’s progressing well. He’s on track."

Houston also should have a healthy Kenyon Green and Tytus Howard in 2024. The two former first-round linemen have missed multiple games over the previous two seasons due to injuries.

Howard, who signed a three-year extension prior to the start of training camp last season, has been one of the league's top right tackles when on the field, largely due to his success in pass protection. The verdict is still out on Green, who missed the entire year after suffering a shoulder injury in the preseason, but Ryans isn't ready to give up on the former Texas A&M two-time All-American.

Regardless of who starts where, when they return, and how Ryans will look to build off a promising first year, the Texans are in line for a promising 2024 season. They have the talent to compete alongside the AFC's top contenders when healthy, especially after a promising free agency period.

"All the guys we added have had success in this league," said Ryans. "They’ve done it for a while. Excited to see what those guys bring to our team.”

It's now about adding players who have yet to have success in the pros but should in due time. Ryans isn't expecting one player to stand tall ahead of the rest.

"Being able to add multiple guys who can move around and do a lot of different things just unlocks things for us when it comes to a schematics standpoint," said Ryans.