The Houston Texans have not had much to cheer about since 2019, only winning 11 games in the last three years, whilst also losing players like quarterback DeShaun Watson and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
In the 2023-24 season, they completed a turn-around as they shattered all expectations and achieved a 10-7 record, which earned them the top spot in the AFC South.
Rookie quarterback sensation and 2023 second-overall pick C.J. Stroud had a record-breaking season as he racked up 4,108 passing yards with 23 touchdowns, which helped him win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Their other first-round pick, defensive end Will Anderson Jr., also had a great start to his NFL career as he notched up 45 tackles and 7 sacks, which won him the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Meanwhile, wide receiver Nico Collins went from 481 receiving yards and two touchdowns the year prior to 1,297 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in his third year with the team.
Going into the 2024 offseason, the Texans had spots to fill due to players departing, and they also wanted to improve upon their last season.
Here are the five major improvements to their squad from last year:
Stefon Diggs, Wide Receiver – Received Via Trade
The first improvement is one of the more recognisable names in the game: former Buffalo Bills wide receiver, Stefon Diggs.
In April, the wideout was traded to the Texans alongside other picks for a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, in one of the biggest moves of the offseason.
Last season, Diggs still had a solid year in 2023, receiving the ball 107 times for 1,183 yards, but it is not as excellent as his 2022 season when he caught the ball 108 times, racking up 1,429 yards.
Before the offseason, a lot of fans stated that they would like to see Stroud get another target, as Nico Collins was the only receiver on the team who notched over 800 yards.
Azeez Al-Shaair, Linebacker – Free Agency (3 Year, $34 Million)
Former San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans already have an established connection through their time in San Francisco when Ryan was the 49ers’ linebacker coach and defensive coordinator.
Al-Shaair was dominant for the Titans last season as he racked up a huge 163 combined tackles (fifth highest in the NFL) and recorded two sacks.
When you compare the former Titan to the Texans' best linebacker last year, Blake Cashman, who made 106 combined tackles last year, it is a huge improvement
Dalton Schultz, Tight End - Re-signed (3 years, $36 Million)
Houston decided to bring back their big tight end, Dalton Schultz, after he had a fantastic season with the Texans, which saw him notch up 635 yards and five touchdowns as he was the team’s starter.
After a solid year first year with the team, the reliable target was brought back to give Stroud weapons for the upcoming 2024 campaign, especially one he has already had a strong season with.
Schultz finished the year with the third most receiving yards on the team and third most touchdowns behind both wide receivers, Nico Collins and Tank Dell.
Denico Autry, Defensive End – Free Agency (2 years, $20 million)
Another former Titan joined the Texans. Defensive end Denico Autry joined Houston on a two-year deal worth $20 million.
Autry had the best season of his career last year with Tennessee, as he had a career-high 11.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
After losing Jonathon Greenard to the Minnesota Vikings, the player will join the defensive line in place of Greenard for the 2024 season.
Danielle Hunter, Defensive End – Free Agency (2 years, $49 million)
One of the biggest moves in free agency was Danielle Hunter moving from the Minnesota Vikings to the Texans after signing a bumper two-year deal worth $49 million.
He improves the Texans' pass-rush tremendously. He is coming off a 16-sack season for the Vikings and has been one of their standout players since his rookie season in 2015.
Since 2015, the four-time Pro Bowler had five 10+ sack seasons, last year being his career high. He also had a career-high 83 combined tackles.
Those are five improvements to the Texans' side, who will be aiming for a deep run in the playoffs and help create the legacy of quarterback, Stroud.
