DeMeco Ryans' Texans Unit-by-Unit Rankings: PFF's Ugly Grades
With every new football season comes a seemingly endless number of way-too-early lists, rankings and predictions. This offseason, ahead of coach DeMeco Ryans' first year with the Houston Texans, things are no different ... in more ways than one.
Once again, the lists keep coming, and once again, the Texans seem to be near the bottom, not garnering much praise from "experts" across multiple sites.
The main difference this year, though? Houston has a real shot of proving those experts wrong. Ahead of this season, however, this is where the Texans fell in PFF's latest unit rankings of all 32 NFL teams. (Heads up, it isn't pretty) ...
1. QUARTERBACKS (30 of 32)
CJ Stroud
© Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Starting off with maybe a lower ranking than even Texans fans expected are Houston's quarterbacks.
PFF — like many others — predicts Stroud to be Ryans' starter to begin the season. But with Mills in a back-up spot, the site doesn't feel the Texans have much to offer at arguably the most important position:
"There were a lot of Stroud fans throughout the pre-draft process," PFF wrote. "He has NFL stature and elite accuracy, but outside of the Georgia game in the College Football Playoff, he had some real issues under pressure.''
Naturally, it will take time for a first-year quarterback to adjust to the NFL. That's a given, and it clearly doesn't matter to experts around the country, who may be expecting too much.
His teammates don't share that sentiment, however, holding the young quarterback's talents in high regard.
"He is a ballplayer, I'll tell you that," Texans safety Jimmie Ward told Jim Rome. "He made some great throws. He's able to come and make [them] so confident, and it's just crazy. It's amazing to me to see it."
Stroud will be up against almost every NFL analyst, expert and scout next season, but as long as he remains calm and collected, we say he could be the league's biggest success shocker.
2. OFFENSIVE LINE (25 of 32)
Tunsil
StateoftheTexans.com | HoustonTexans.com
Houston's line was placed in the bottom eight teams of the league ranking just one spot ahead of their AFC South rival Jacksonville Jaguars, but despite a slightly better evaluation, the site did not hold back on its judgement:
Houston finished as the worst team in the league at generating yards before contact in the run game, averaging just 0.8 yards all year," PFF wrote. "Adding Shaq Mason, even though he was coming off a relatively poor year, was a shrewd piece of business by the Texans this offseason."
Maybe the addition of Mason will bring a much needed boost on the front line for both C.J. Stroud and Dameon Pierce — both guys looking for breakout seasons next year — but teams around the league shouldn't discount Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil, either. PFF hasn't, ranking Tunsil as the third best offensive tackle in the league, and for good reason, especially considering Tunsil's confidence in his team.
"This organization is on a rise, especially getting a guy like DeMeco Ryans in this building," Tunsil told the official Houston Texans website. "He's a young, energy guy, younger coach, and he was actually a player here too. So getting a guy like that coming into the building means a lot. We're trying to get things turned around."
Turning things around starts with the offensive line, literally and figuratively. Houston's line may be ranked low, but if they get things going next season, the Texans' running backs could do some real damage.
3. RUNNING BACKS (13 of 32)
Pierce
Given the issues with the offensive line, any kind of productive season from the Texans' running back room is likely to be a "surprise." Then again, last season actually was.
Rookie Dameon Pierce came out of the gate motivated — and angry — nearing the 1,000 rushing yards mark rather quickly before being sidelined a few games early. Had Pierce remained healthy, he would have hit the mark in his first season ... and not having done so is serving as motivation.
"I'm just ready to work," Pierce said." [I'm] on a good team. We've got pieces that we're building around, [and] I love the energy. I just have to make sure that I'm position to do whatever coach [DeMeco] asks."
As Pierce once agains sets his sights on 1,000 yards, however, there is another running back set to line up behind Stroud next year. He's a veteran, and he's also on a mission.
"My mindset is, 'it’s not really time to chill," former Buffalo Bills standout Devin Singletary said. "We’re on a mission and I understand that. I want to be a big part of that mission."
4. RECEIVERS (32 of 32)
Woods
© George Walker IV / USA TODAY NETWORK
PFF isn't too fond of the receiving core, ranking it dead last among all NFL teams.
"The Texans bring up the rear in these rankings with no go-to player in the passing game on their roster," the site wrote of Houston. "They did sign tight end Dalton Schultz in free agency, which was a good signing, but his presence raises the floor more than it elevates the ceiling. It’s still very much a rebuilding offense."
Armed with Noah Brown, John Metchie III, Dalton Schultz, Robert Woods and rookie Tank Dell, Houston has options, though none the site found "WR-1" caliber.
Once again, their low ranking just sets Houston up to surprise the league. Regardless of where they're ranked, the guys themselves believe there's more than just a bunch of role-playing receivers.
“I’m really excited about the offense," Brown said. "I think we have a real creative coordinator [and] a lot of talented pieces, some of which are a little bit unknown in this league. I think [that's] is going to work to our advantage."
Brown is right. If there aren't expectations, there's no way to disappoint. And if Woods can once again contribute the 1,000 yards he's proven to be capable of, the Texans could really be a dark horse next season.
“I had my fewest yards and might have just as well had my second-fewest attempts [last year]," Woods told DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN. "I’m able to make the plays and do more with more. That’s what I’m hoping to do here in Houston, to have opportunities to make big plays and be myself and do what I’m capable of doing.”
5. DEFENSIVE LINE (23 of 32)
D-line
© Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Shockingly enough, the Texans' defensive line was the second-highest ranked group of the six categories. It wasn't enough to crack the top half of teams, but being at No. 23, Houston wasn't subjected to the bottom eight treatment this time.
"While the Texans do not have an elite player on their defensive line — at least not until rookie Will Anderson Jr. gets acclimated to the NFL — they have more starting-caliber players than most teams that find themselves outside the top 20 on this list," PFF wrote. "In fact, the Texans have four interior defenders who ranked in the top 100 players at the position."
Despite his rookie status, Anderson Jr. will undoubtedly play a large role both on the field and off of it. And if one thing is certain, the 21-year-old does have a passion for the game.
"Will has been great throughout camp,” coach DeMeco Ryans said of the rookie. "One thing about Will, he’s been the same guy we thought we were getting when we drafted him. He’s been on it every single day."
In three seasons under Alabama coach Nick Saban, the edge rusher eclipsed 200 total tackles, adding 34.5 sacks and an interception to go with it. Anderson Jr's stats led the SEC in back-to-back seasons, setting the bar high ahead of his rookie season.
He, along with Maliek Collins, Jerry Hughes and Sheldon Rankins will lead the charge, looking to wreak havoc in the backfield. If they're successful, add one more problem group to their opponents' checklists.
6. LINEBACKERS (26 of 32)
© Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Surprise, surprise. That word seems to be primed to epitomize the Texans next season, but for now, it's just a figure of speech being used to describe another low ranking.
PFF has Houston once again in the bottom eight teams of the league for its linebacker unit — though still three spots above their other AFC South rival Tennessee Titans.
"The Texans finished last season with the lowest-graded linebackers in the league," the site wrote. "Their struggles were a primary reason why Houston finished with a league-low 34.1 run-defense grade as a team."
Once again, not holding back.
"The question will be if any young players can make contributions moving forward," it continued." Second-year players Christian Harris and Jake Hansen could still factor in, but it seems head coach DeMeco Ryans will want the veterans to lead the way."
Christian Harris. That's where PFF may be wrong. Ryans is extremely complimentary of the young linebacker.
"What excites me about Christian is just his God-given ability," Ryans said. "Not many linebackers that are fast or explosive as Christian Harris is. What he's capable of becoming in this league, he's capable of becoming a really, really great linebacker. He just has to continue to improve."
7. SECONDARY (28 of 32)
Secondary
USA TODAY Sports
PFF ranked Houston's secondary the fifth-worst in the league.
"The Texans' unit graded in the top half of the league last season and has added one of the better safeties in the NFL in Ward," PFF wrote, despite its low ranking. "Expect (Derek) Stingley to be used more appropriately after he earned just a 49.1 PFF grade across 599 snaps as a rookie."
"More appropriately'' may be spot-on, especially given the potential that Ryans sees in the young cornerback.
“Stingley has outstanding talent,” Ryans said. “[We're] going to put him in a position to make a lot of plays for us. Put him in a position where he can excel and showcase his talents.”
Stingley and Jalen Pitre will lead the secondary charge, both entering their second seasons and both looking to improve. Pitre has even been labeled a potential breakout star for next season, having tallied 99 solo tackles for the Texans — leading all rookies — and 147 total to go along with five interceptions and a sack to cap off his impressive rookie season.
And like the other units, success will only go to prove doubters wrong. That seems to be the mantra for this young team and rookie coach. It will just need to translate on the field.
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