While the Houston Texans have veteran names ready to take charge at NRG Stadium, it’s the youth movement that has fans envisioning multiple Super Bowl titles in the coming years.
Fans of the reigning AFC South champions aren’t the only ones optimistic that the Texans have a promising outlook with a young core of prospects leading the way past 2024.
ESPN recently unveiled its “under-25 talent” rankings for all 32 teams this week, and Houston “easily” took the top spot on the list. The Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears rounded out the top five, though Aaron Schatz only considered the Texans for the No. 1 ranking.
It’s easy to see Houston snagged first-place honors given its collection of young talent added over the past three offseasons. Quarterback C.J. Stroud put together one of the best rookie seasons in league history en route to winning the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. He also was named ESPN’s No. 1 top young talent.
Defensive end Will Anderson Jr., the No. 3 pick in the 2023 draft, was worth the trade-up after tying J.J. Watt’s franchise rookie sack record while helping the Texans clinch their first postseason berth in four years. Opposite Jonathan Greenard and Sheldon Rankins, the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year helped Houston notch a franchise record 46 sacks on a top-10 defensive front.
Among the league’s “under-25 talents,” Anderson ranked second behind his teammate and former No. 2 overall pick.
Anderson and Stroud headline a young cast of playmakers who should be locked into Houston’s future past 2026. When healthy, cornerback Derek Stingley has played up to a Pro Bowl level, totaling five interceptions and 13 pass breakups in 2023. ESPN said the former No. 3 overall pick was “becoming one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL” after finishing 14th in coverage DVOA last season.
Nico Collins, who turned 25 in March, is coming off a career year with 80 catches for 1,297 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He’ll be Stroud’s No. 1 target through 2027 after signing a new three-year, $72.75 extension earlier this offseason.
Tank Dell, the Texans’ third-round pick in 2023, was on pace to break every rookie receiving record as the No. 2 option before a season-ending leg injury sidelined him in December. Even if he didn’t surpass 1,000 yards, the University of Houston product notched 47 catches for 709 yards and seven scores.
ESPN also praised second-round pick Kamari Lassiter, who shined during OTAs opposite Stingley and might win the starting cornerback job in training camp. A second-team All-SEC selection last season, Lassiter allowed just a 38.5% completion rate in coverage, No. 1 among SEC defensive backs and fourth-best among FBS cornerbacks.
Other names listed as part of the young foundation included offensive linemen Juice Scruggs, Kenyon Green and Blake Fisher, receiver John Metchie III, linebackers Christian Harris and Henry To’oTo’o and defensive back Jalen Pitre.
The Texans return to NRG Stadium for the start of training camp on July 18. They’ll kickstart the preseason on August 1 against the Chicago Bears in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
