2025 NFL Preview: Houston Texans

With Houston's fearsome pass defense and a promising quarterback in C.J. Stroud, punters may consider betting on the Texans to perform well, particularly in matchups against teams with weak pass offenses, anticipating a strong defensive presence.

Head Coach: DeMeco Ryans (third season)
PFF projected win total: 9.1
2024 Record: 10-7 (first in AFC South, lost in AFC divisional round)

Biggest strength: Pass Defense

Houston possesses a fearsome pass defense that ranked in the top 10 in PFF pass-rush and coverage grades last season. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter led the way on the defensive line, each ranking among the top 20 edge rushers in PFF pass-rush grade and pressures. The Texans' secondary features an outstanding cornerback duo in Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter, each of whom placed among the top 12 cornerbacks in PFF coverage grade in 2024.

Biggest weakness: Offensive Line

Houston’s offensive line became its Achilles' heel as the 2024 season wore on. That unit ranked just 25th in PFF grade, and C.J. Stroud took the second-most sacks in the NFL. The front office has since traded star left tackle Laremy Tunsil to Washington, leaving the unit without a single player who graded above 70.2 last season. The Texans’ pass protection, in particular, will be under a microscope this season on a week-to-week basis.

Quarterback spotlight: C.J. Stroud

2024 PFF Grade: 79.9
Key Stat: 274 dropbacks under pressure, including postseason (most in NFL)
Stroud did all he could last season to overcome Houston’s porous pass protection and injuries to his wide receivers. His 77.5 PFF passing grade tied for the 11th-best mark in the NFL despite those difficulties. Many of his rate metrics stayed consistent with his excellent rookie season. One that didn’t, though, was his 75.9 deep PFF passing grade, which ranked 29th in the NFL. Part of that was due to the team’s protection flaws, but Stroud led the NFL with a 99.3 deep PFF passing grade in 2023, so we could see some positive regression in that department.

Unstable Metrics

Under Pressure Grade 72nd Percentile
Outside Pocket Grade 79th Percentile
3rd / 4th Down Grade 90th Percentile
Play Action Grade 62nd Percentile
Positively Graded Throws 91st Percentile

Offensive player: WR Nico Collins

Collins has established himself as one of the best receivers in the NFL over the past two seasons. His 93.2 PFF receiving grade since 2023 leads all wide receivers. His big frame and ability to win one-on-one matchups allow him to dominate the intermediate area of the field. Collins was the only wide receiver in the NFL to earn a perfect 99.9 intermediate PFF receiving grade last season.

Defensive player: CB Derek Stingley Jr.

Like Collins, Stingley is a burgeoning superstar who has emerged as one of Houston’s most important players over the past two seasons. Since 2023, he leads all cornerbacks in PFF coverage grade (90.3) and interceptions (12). His ability to play elite man coverage has allowed head coach DeMeco Ryans to diversify his defense and shut down opposing passing attacks.

Rookie to watch: WR Jayden Higgins

While Nico Collins was dominating the intermediate areas of the field for Houston last season, Jayden Higgins was doing the same in his final campaign at Iowa State. Higgins led all Power Four receivers with a 90.5 PFF receiving grade and was one of just four wide receivers to post a perfect 99.9 intermediate PFF receiving grade. Higgins’ hands are excellent, as he dropped just seven passes across 350 collegiate targets.

Bottom line

Houston currently has the best quarterback and best defense in the AFC South, which gives the team major advantages over its division rivals. However, the Texans' weaknesses on the offensive line and in run defense could pose problems for them once again when playing the AFC's elite teams.

The Texans' offensive line remains the team's biggest question mark heading into the 2025 campaign.

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