Joe Mixon, Danielle Hunter or Stefon Diggs?
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said “I need some play makers” and general manager Nick Caserio listened.
Over the course of a few short months, the Texans have added pro bowlers Joe Mixon, Danielle Hunter and Stefon Diggs. Each is arguably a prime example of top talent at their respective positions.
The Texans are the first team to acquire players that recorded these stats in the previous season:
100+ catches (Stefon Diggs)
1000+ rush yards (Joe Mixon)
10+ sacks (Danielle Hunter) pic.twitter.com/wgZrcG3Hms— NFL (@NFL) April 4, 2024
Who do you think will bring the most to the 2024 Texans?
Running back Joe Mixon
In his seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Mixon racked up 6,412 yards on 1,571 attempts. He’s knocked out four different 1,000-yard seasons, including his career best 1,205 yards in 2021 and last season’s 1,034 yards.
The bruising back has scored 49 rushing touchdowns, 13 receiving TDs and done all that with only one run over 50 yards. It’s pretty clear that Mixon is the most productive back the Texans have had since Arian Foster’s prime.
The downside: Mixon has had more than his share of off-field issues. Post Deshaun Watson, this team should have zero tolerance for such things. Everyone deserves a second chance, though, so hopefully the DeMeco Ryans led locker room can have a positive influence on Mixon’s second NFL life.
Great list
Joe Mixon had
More rushing yards than 9 RBs
More TDs than 8 RBs
More 1st downs than 10 RBs
0 fumblesYet isn’t on this list ♂️
Not even capping cause bru on Texans now, but Joe Mixon is a Top 10 RB in this league https://t.co/Om8BMG0pAk pic.twitter.com/epShNzw6sM
— CJ Anderson SzN (@AyooTexanNation) April 11, 2024
EDGE Danielle Hunter
How in the world can a 6’5” 263 lbs. man fly under the radar? Is Hunter some sort of ninja? Not the Antonio Smith kind, although he’s just as devastating to opposing offenses. Actually, more so.
In his eight seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Hunter accrued 462 combined tackles, 316 solo stops, 108 tackles for loss and 87.5 sacks. That’s a metric #$%#ton of production from a guy who doesn’t hear his name on Sportscenter as often as some other defenders.
Odds are, he’s going to get more attention now. And with last year’s first round pick Will Anderson Jr. chomping at the bit to learn all he can from Hunter, the pro bowler’s legacy is all but assured.
“He just knows what it takes to be one of the greats in this league. I am very eager to learn from him.”#Texans Will Anderson Jr. speaks on the offensive signing of Danielle Hunter. pic.twitter.com/8LqL4GJ6Rl
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) April 15, 2024
Wide Receiver Stefan Diggs
Probably the most exciting, yet controversial roster addition for the 2024 Texans is all-pro wideout Stefan Diggs. Another former Viking, Diggs has done anything but fly under the radar.
After five seasons in Minnesota, then four more in Buffalo, the stellar pass catcher once again found himself as mayor of Persona Non Grataville, with the Buffalo Bills essentially dumping him off in H-Town for a handful of magic beans and a few HEB Buddy Bucks.
Diggs immediately jumps to the head of the line in an already solid wide receiver group. In his nine seasons, the mercurial athlete has caught 810 passes on 1178 attempts, gained 9,995 yards, scored 67 touchdowns while amazing then disappointing two fan bases.
I know an avid, intelligent football fan who grew up in Buffalo and now lives in Minnesota. He’s watched Diggs his entire career. Ran into him the other day and asked his thoughts on Diggs and the Texans. His reply was something along the lines of “He’ll do great for Houston this season, then the novelty will wear off and it will turn south. That’s what happened with the Vikings and the Bills. He’s always incredible for the first season, then Houston should get rid of him before he poisons the locker room.”
As if on cue, this is the first Tweet that came up when searching X for “Stefan Diggs”:
Stefan Diggs is always excited about his new team for a year.
— Scott (@Scottvickers27) April 16, 2024
With that in mind, 2024 has the makings of the best offensive production the Texans have ever seen. Let’s hope so.
That brings us to today’s poll: