With the Houston Texans adding Pro Bowlers Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon to an offense featuring Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Dalton Schultz, all led by quarterback C.J. Stroud, expectations were high for the ‘five-headed monster’ to be one of the league’s best.
So far, it’s been the defense that’s shown out four days into camp.
While Houston’s offense was without Schultz and Mixon on Schultz during Monday’s practice, the Texans dominated on defense in the sweltering Texas heat. Multiple players had impressive showings, including big names like Danielle Hunter and under-the-radar pickups like Jeff Okudah.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans has been encouraged by the battles in practice and believes it shows the “makings of a good team.”
Third-year cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. took it a step further by saying the defense is further along than they were at this point last year.
#Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr.: “I feel like the defense is ahead of schedule compared to where we were last year.” pic.twitter.com/KPBguSkeF5
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) July 22, 2024
The 2023 defense allowed the 11th-fewest points last season, but Houston is looking to maximize its time with Stroud on his rookie contract. Multiple offseason moves were made to upgrade the unit, including the signings of Hunter, Okudah, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and others.
Hunter, who last season led the NFL with 23.5 tackles for loss with the Minnesota Vikings, beat offensive tackle Tytus Howard for what would’ve been a sack. He also pulled out his best J.J. Watt impersonation by swatting a pass down at the line.
Hunter mentioned on Friday how the Texans’ defensive game plan involves less reading and more attack. Al-Shaair, who played under Ryans in San Francisco, echoed the sentiment on Monday.
“I think if you’re playing defense the right way and it’s just fast, you talk about SWARM, and that’s like the embodiment of everything that we try to do,” Al-Shaair said after Monday’s practice. “It’s just an exciting, physical, fast defense, taking the ball away, making plays, big hits.”
Jacob Phillips, another linebacker acquired this offseason. showed off his pass coverage skills by deflecting a pass intended for running back Jawhar Jordan in the flats.
Ironically, Phillips was drafted by the Cleveland Brown in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft with a pick that was originally Houston’s before it traded the selection away in exchange for former running back Duke Johnson.
Houston’s secondary has been the main discussion point throughout the early parts of the offseason, and Monday provided another twist in the story. Third-round pick Calen Bullock took snaps with the first-team defense as the strong safety opposite Jimmie Ward while Jalen Pitre remained in the nickel.
Davis Mills almost threw an interception to rookie safety Calen Bullock. Bullock dropped it. Bullock read Mills like a book and closed on Nico Collins. #Texans
— Cody Stoots (@Cody_Stoots) July 22, 2024
Eric Murray played the most with the first team, similar to the first three practices. Bullock had an opportunity for a highlight reel play, reading Davis Mills and breaking on a pass, but dropped the potential pick-six.
At 6-foot-2, Bullock could be the center-fielding type of defensive back that Houston lacked a year ago. He also has a chance to join second-round pick Kamari Lassiter as one of two rookie defenders that could make an impact this season.
Lassiter, the No. 42 overall pick out of Georgia, has been one of the top performers in practice. On Monday, he broke up another pass in man coverage against Diggs during team drills.
All-Pro WR Stefon Diggs says Derek Stingley Jr is one of the best DBs in the league and thinks rookie Kamari Lassiter could be ready right now. 👀 pic.twitter.com/9JDlkmCJon
— Nick Schwager (@NickSchwagerNFL) July 22, 2024
“When you look at somebody like Kamari, he came in, a little bit more NFL-ready to go,” Al-Shaair said.
Lassiter has been playing opposite Stingley, and the latter drew praise from Diggs, who called the former No. 3 overall pick “one of the best DBs in the league.”
There will be more back-and-forth with the offense winning some days, but the Texans’ defense offered a glimpse of their potential.
