Houston

Texans

“Tank’ Dell comes in, providing his route-running ability,” Ryans said. “He’s been open a lot in OTAs. So that’s exciting.” Ludicrously productive at the University of Houston, Dell forged an off-field friendship with new Texans QB C.J. Stroud, which surely played a part in his Day 2 selection. It is going to be easy to get overly excited about Dell at the expense of veteran Robert Woods, but there is no question Dell is where the upside resides. It is just a matter of if he can establish a PPR floor first. Dell is an interesting late-round flier in receptions-based formats.

We are talking about pad-less practices in May and June, but the Texans certainly need Collins to step up and serve as the primary boundary threat in an offense with smaller wideouts like Robert Woods, Tank Dell and John Metchie. Slowed by injury and terrible quarterback play, Collins posted just a 37/481/2 line in 10 games last season. Headed into his age-24 season, a good fantasy outcome for Collins would be emerging as a touchdowns-based WR4.

Pierce struggled with picking up blitzers through most of his otherwise-impressive rookie campaign. Pro Football Focus graded him as the 128th best pass blocking back in 2022. “He can now see the big picture and can identify things quicker to get to his pickups,” Barrett said. “That’s going to help us out tremendously. When he is in the game, teams think we are going to just run the football. But his ability to pass protect, he understands what is needed in our passing game from him.” It’s a good thing Pierce has shown improvement. The Texans in March signed former Bills RB Devin Singletary, who PFF graded as the league’s fifth best pass-blocking back in 2022. Pierce profiles as a solid mid-round value in what should be an improved Texans offense coached by Kyle Shanahan disciple Bobby Slowik.

It’s a fully guaranteed four-year contract worth $35.2 million for Anderson, the third overall pick in the 2023 draft out of Alabama. Anderson won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and Bronco Nagurski Trophy in each of his final two collegiate seasons. Anderson’s 147 pressures over the last two years lead the nation in that category. He’ll join a Houston defense graded by Pro Football Focus as 2022’s 17th best pass-rushing unit and fifth worst rush defense. C.J. Stroud remains to be signed ahead of training camp.

Dell (5’8/165), better known by his nickname “Tank,” is one of the smaller receivers in the draft but also one of the most explosive. A slippery player after the catch, Dell can turn any play into a long score, amassing 29 receiving touchdowns in his final two seasons with the Cougars. Dell is a shifty route runner who excels at creating separation and uses his quickness to evade defenders in the open field. Over the last two seasons, Dell ranked fifth in the FBS in yards after the catch (1,148) and led all receivers in explosive receptions (68). Drops, in addition to his size, are the two biggest areas of concern for Dell. In his lone season as a punt returner, Dell returned nine punts for 153 yards and a score. His special teams prowess only adds to his value as a playmaker. In Houston, Dell will join Nico Collins, Robert Woods, and John Metchie as the team’s top wideouts. He could earn targets quickly without a target dominator in the Texans offense.

Metchie suffered a hamstring strain early this offseason and has been working his way back to the field. After missing all of last season with leukemia, the former second-round pick is expected to compete for significant playing time this season. The Texans don’t open training camp until next month, giving Metchie some additional time to heal before things fully ramp up.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal includes $20 million guaranteed. Collins joined the Texans on a one-year deal in 2021 and re-upped with the team for two more years. His new deal will keep him in town through the 2025 season. Though his counting stats aren’t anything to write home about, Collins is a solid presence on the interior of Houston’s defensive line, allowing the team’s defensive ends to clean up the sacks. Per Pro Football Focus, Collins ranked inside the top 20 interior linemen in pressure and pass rush grade in 2022. He tallied 3.5 sacks and nine TFLs last year.

Stroud “seized” the team’s first-team snaps at quarterback from Davis Mills, per Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle, who also noted that Stroud was “noticeably more comfortable” on Wednesday. Texans QB coach Jerrod Johnson said Stroud is “already way, way ahead of pace” with footwork and timing. Stroud is not generating much fantasy buzz yet, but it does seem like he’s the favorite to open the year as Houston’s starter based on the current trends and depth chart.

According to Kubena, this news comes from “a person with knowledge of the situation.” Hopkins returning to the Texans would go against the widely held belief that he’s looking to sign with a potential Super Bowl contender in 2023, but an opportunity to return to the team he spent the first seven years of his career with could be an intriguing option for him. The Texans could undoubtedly use Hopkins’ presence on and off the field, as he brings a veteran quality leadership and familiarity with the organization. His production in a suspension-shortened season last year (64-717-3) was enough to suggest he’s got plenty left in the tank to give rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud a top target for the first few years of his career as the Texans look to rebuild a team that’s won just 11 games over the last three seasons.

Williams spent 2022 with the Panthers after getting waived from Miami at final cuts. The 26-year-old’s career has been wiped by injuries, with Williams tearing his ACL for a second time in 2020. Williams (6'5", 215-pounds) would give the Texans a veteran red zone target if signed.