The Houston Texans found their franchise quarterback last season, but they must continue to surround C.J. Stroud with talent in order to prolong their stay atop the AFC South. This is why trading for veterans like Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon made sense for the team going into 2024. If the Texans can establish the running game as a legitimate threat this season, their offense could go to another level.
Even after giving Mixon a three-year extension, Pro Football Focus felt one young running back prospect would be an intriguing fit in Houston next season. PFF’s Trevor Sikkema highlighted one offensive player for all 32 NFL teams to watch in next year’s draft. Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II was chosen for the Texans:
The Texans just signed Joe Mixon to a three-year deal, but he is 28 years old, and Houston could move on from him for cap space as soon as next season. Gordon led college football with 1,732 rushing yards in 2023, and at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, he brings alluring size in addition to that elite production. — Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus
Mixon should be able to carry the load for Houston this season, but adding a dynamic runner such as Gordon to the mix would make this offense that much tougher to defend. Gordon is listed as PFF’s top-rated running back prospect (No. 21 overall). On the flip side, the team may not want to use a first-round pick on a running back.
The Texans have had success with fourth-round pick Dameon Pierce and still need to find out what they have in sixth-round pick Jawhar Jordan. Regardless of what happens down the line, Mixon is the guy going into 2024. The 27-year-old rushed for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns for the Bengals last season.