Houston Texans Stock Up or Stock Down Post Mini-Camp and OTAs

How different Texans fared over the summer workouts

Volunteer practice and Organized Team Activities (OTAs) are one of the many steps in the long offseason preceding the season. It’s the first time the rookies join the veterans and train together. While the team is in the remedial stage of the installation process of the offense and defense, it still provides fans and the media a first look at how things have progressed over the offseason.

Let’s look at several players whose stock improved this training camp. Notable omission is Dameon Pierce. There were positive reports out of camp surrounding his athleticism and growing confidence in the new offense, but nothing surprising to the point where he would leap newly added Joe Mixon in the depth chart. His role still remains RB2 until further inspection.

Stock Up: John Metchie III

I don’t think there is a player more overshadowed than Metchie. The former second round pick was slated to be a centerpiece of the rebuilding Houston Texans offense after the 2022 NFL Draft, but his cancer diagnosis postponed his ascendance and development.

Now, after his first full, healthy offseason, Metchie looks faster, more agile, and explosive running routes. He immediately caught the attention of fans by smoking the player below.

If Metchie can hold down what seemingly would be the WR4 position behind Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Stefon Diggs, it would provide Houston with another diverse weapon perfect for exploiting mismatches over the middle of the field.

Stock Down: Jeff Okudah

We all hoped head coach DeMeco Ryans could rub magic pixie dust on the washed up veteran and he would learn to fly again. However based on limited film and notes coming out of training camp, Okudah was getting dusted across the board. Most notably, John Metchie III put Okudah in his rearview on this play.

Stock Up: Kenyon Green

General Manager Nick Caserio didn’t add any interior lineman in free agency or the draft, which meant they were going to continue lean on Green to meet his first round pick expectations. Houston took seemingly their last-ditch gamble on Green this offseason and it appears to have paid off. He came in visibly leaner, faster, and most importantly healthy.

Stock Down: Noah Brown

Availability is the best ability. Noah was not a non-participant this summer while rehabbing from shoulder surgery due to a torn labrum. He should be back by training camp per Aaron Wilson. The problem is there’s limited spots available in the wide receiver room. John Metchie III is looking better than ever, Stefon Diggs is a huge presence, Texans just extended Nico Collins, and Tank Dell has made a roaring recovery.

Brown’s inability to be on the field yet has propelled other wide receivers to tick up the depth chart in his absence. Will Brown be able to return in time to save his job?

Stock Up: Azeez Al-Shaair

Only once in Houston Texans history has a player shown up in their first year here and instantly commanded the respect of the entire front office as Al-Shaair has. That player? DeMeco Ryans. From C.J. Stroud to DeMeco Ryans to GM Nick Caserio last week on Sports Radio 610, the entire franchise has profoundly exhausted the former undrafted linebacker for his leadership and knowledge. On the field, it appears the linebacker knows the playbook well, stemming from his time with Ryans in San Francisco.

Stock Down: Kurt Hinish

One of the only roster holdovers on defense line, Hinish will be at risk of not making the roster come preseason. Houston added significant depth across the defensive line including veterans Denico Autry, Foley Fatukasi, Tim Settle, and Mario Edwards. DeMeco Ryans spoke glowingly about Autry’s toughness, veteran leadership, and mentality, which can’t bode well for Hinish from a role perspective.

The front office spared Hinish by not drafting a defensive tackle early, but did add in another run stopping defensive tackle in Marcus Harris out of Auburn late in the draft. While OTAs and summer practices may not have changed his standing much, he’s one of the few returning players whose standing is truly in question heading into training camp.