Amidst the spotlight on highly-touted prospect Bryce Young, the Houston Texans made a decisive move by selecting CJ Stroud. His arrival promptly altered the team’s fortunes, leading to their first division title triumph since 2019. While his on-field brilliance earned admiration from the Texans’ head coach, it also drew criticism for seasoned veteran Deshaun Watson.
As the Texans set their sights on securing their maiden Super Bowl victory with their rookie sensation at the helm, reports indicate that the team is actively pursuing reinforcements to complement their emerging star.
Texans looking to bring in new RB to support CJ Stroud
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Flower, the Houston Texans may be eyeing improvements in the running back position during the upcoming free agency period to bolster their offense and support second-year quarterback CJ Stroud. With both running backs Devin Singletary and Dare Ogunbowale set to become free agents next month, the team faces a potential void in the running back department.
Should Singletary and Ogunbowale not be re-signed, the Texans will undoubtedly explore options to fortify their running back corps. This could involve seeking out new additions to fill the void left by their departing players.
However, one potential running back option, Dameon Pierce, is unlikely to remain with the team following a disappointing 2024 season. If roster space becomes a priority, Pierce may find himself on the chopping block, opening up opportunities for new talent to join the team.
In light of their aspirations to compete for playoff contention once again, the Texans may need to find a new starter at running back. Flower suggests that the team could pursue dynamic options such as the New York Giants Saquon Barkley or Derrick Henry from the Tennessee Titans to fill this role.
While both Barkley and Henry offer unique skill sets, Barkley appears to be the preferable choice moving forward due to his ability to make big plays on the field.
Despite not being known for his speed, Henry has consistently delivered impressive rushing yards, surpassing 1,000 yards even amidst challenging circumstances, such as a struggling offensive line with the Titans.
CJ Stroudâs NFL 2023-24 season in numbers
In his inaugural season with the Texans, Alabama product CJ Stroud showcased his quarterback prowess by accumulating 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, resulting in an impressive overall quarterback rating of 100.8.
The impact of the second-year- veteran, who used to sleep with a football, extended beyond mere statistics, as he etched his name in the rookie record books.
He not only led the league in pass yards per game with an impressive average of 273.9 but also boasted a remarkable touchdown-to-interception ratio of 4.6:1. This exceptional achievement elevated him to the ranks of legendary quarterbacks Tom Brady and Joe Montana.
Meanwhile, he earned recognition as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month and AFC Player of the Month in November. This feat further solidified his status as only the second rookie quarterback in league history to clinch the AFC Offensive Player of the Month title.
Acknowledging his outstanding contributions, the Texans were rightfully honored as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, marking a historic milestone as the first player in Houston Texans franchise history to secure this prestigious award.
