As the NFL draft approaches, C.J. Stroud sends a strong three-word message to the Texans brass.
As most NFL clubs try to do during the initial wave of free agency, the Houston Texans have set themselves up perfectly to choose the best player available when their first pick, No. 42, rolls around.
Houston grabbed defensive end Danielle Hunter, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, running back Joe Mixon, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, and defensive lineman Denico Autry in a flurry of transactions that might have long-term implications for the organization.
To amass cash in later rounds, which head coach DeMeco Ryans referred to as “the sweet spot,” the Texans gave up their first-round pick (No. 23). Houston traded No. 23 to the Minnesota Vikings on March 15 in exchange for second (No. 42) and sixth-round picks (No. 188), as well as a 2025 second-rounder.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud has some suggestions for the Texans brass on how to best approach those picks on April 26th. “Don’t be dumb.”
“Whoever’s up there, dude, be intelligent. Don’t be dumb. “Don’t think too hard,” Stroud stated during an April 15 press conference.
The Texans didn’t have to think too hard about Stroud at the previous draft. The Carolina Panthers made things simple for them.
Texans’ initial free agency moves give them a modest boost in power rankings.
Following their first round of free agency transactions, the Houston Texans moved up from ninth to eighth place in the 2024 power rankings.
“The roster around breakout QB C.J. Stroud appeared marginally improved (if far more expensive) following free agency, the major arrivals being veteran DE Danielle Hunter and RB Joe Mixon,” Nate Davis, an analyst for USA Today, said on April 4. “Then WR Stefon Diggs was acquired Wednesday, likely further bolstering Houston’s chances to reach the AFC championship game for the first time.”
While bringing in Diggs does not stop Houston from acquiring another pass-catching weapon for Stroud, it definitely reduces the urgency. The 2024 draft has a deep wide receiver class, but the Texans will almost certainly pass on one of them.
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans quarterback, praises Marvin Harrison Jr., a projected top NFL draft wide receiver.
When the two were on the pitch together, they were unstoppable. According to Sports Reference, the duo combined for 1,402 yards and 17 touchdowns in 16 games.
