Texans showcased talented rookie class in victory over Chargers

Four rookies contributed greatly to the Texans win over the Chargers

Rookies are a difficult bunch to trust. Some aren’t ready for the spotlight. Others break down due to the longer schedule and tougher competition. But for theTexans’ rookie class in their first postseason appearance, they shined bright and didn’t shy away from the moment. That undaunted mentality is something head coach DeMeco Ryans covets and GM Nick Caserio skillfully identifies in each draft class.

The Houston Texans 2024 draft class has been a tale of two stories; the immediate contributors and those immediately off the roster. The Texans found instant impact rookies in OT Derek Fisher, CB Kamari Lassiter, and S Calen Bullock all started for the Texans while TE Cade Stover contributed in both the run and passing attack as the backup.

Texans 2024 NFL Draft Class

Round 2 • Pick 10 (42) • CB Kamari Lassiter

Round 2 • Pick 27 (59) • OT Blake Fisher

Round 3 • Pick 14 (78) • SAF Calen Bullock

Round 4 • Pick 23 (123) • TE Cade Stover

Round 6 • Pick 12 (188) • LB Jamal Hill

Round 6 • Pick 29 (205) • RB Jawhar Jordan

Round 7 • Pick 18 (238) • EDGE Solomon Byrd

Round 7 • Pick 27 (247) • DT Marcus Harris

Round 7 • Pick 29 (249) • G LaDarius Henderson

The Texans first pick in the 2024 draft Kamari Lassiter has had a wail of a season. Lassiter was criticized for two things coming out of college,; his slow 40 yard dash time and his lack of interceptions. Neither appear to be of concern as he notched his fourth interception of the season. His pick against Justin Herbert was a complete momentum shift and one which the Texans held onto for the remainder of the game.

Herbert only threw three interceptions all season before his dumbfoundingly erroneous throw across his body and into Lassiter’s hands. Overall, Lassiter’s run support and hitting acumen have brought a tenacity and fury rarely seen in past Texans’ secondaries. He has been a fantastic foil to Derek Stingley Jr. and should be considered among the best defensive backs in a class of elite, league changing defensive backs.

Blake Fisher has slowly but surely etched his way onto this offensive line. He watched and waited as the reserve swing tackle behind veterans Laremy Tunsil and Tutus Howard. But with the injuries across the offensive line and horrible interior line play, Fisher was propelled into the starting roll at right tackle. He’s performed admirably in the pass protection and more than held his own against the elite duo of Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. He only allowed three pressures all game; there truly isn’t much more you can ask of Fisher in just his sixth start of his career.

Fisher’s injection into the offensive line improved the team’s pass blocking ability. That was evident in the clean pockets for QB C.J. Stroud; something that had been an enigma all season. Fisher’s continued development on the offensive line will be a force multiplier as the Texans head deeper into the playoffs.

Not enough is said about Calen Bullock’s season. The free safety allows the Texans to play a more scheme-diverse and aggressive posture in the secondary. His elite ball skills and sideline-to-sideline speed has revolutionized the Texans defense. He allows Lassiter and Stingley to play aggressive coverage and sticky releases instead of soft and passive. Bullock went from a depth piece to an integral asset on the backend of the defense. When Jimmie Ward suffered a season ending injury midway through the year.

Bullock’s PFF grade (29.4) against the Chargers was among the worst on the team. His report card suffered from an abysmal angle he took on Ladd McConkey’s 86-yard touchdown. Otherwise, he kept a tight lid on the defense and was only targeted three times all game. Bullock’s tenacity and desire for game changing plays can leave the defense high and dry, but he’s more than made up for those mistakes with multiple interceptions.

Cade Stover has been a blessing on offense. The tight end room has been incredibly injured this season. Even Stover’s emergency appendectomy kept him out of Week 15 and 16 matchups hasn’t slowed his progression and integration into the offense. In the playoff game, Stover’s four catches were tied for second and his 28 yards third on the team. Stover’s dual pass catching and run blocking acumen has added to the Texans diverse play calling and scheme mismatches.

The back end draft class has been absent from the team. Jamal Hill recorded four tackles before being placed on IR at the end of the season. RB Jawhar Jordan and DE Solomon Byrd never featured during the season and remains on the practice squad. Neither Marcus Harris nor LaDarius Henderson were able to secure roster spots either. Harris is actually on the Patriots practice squad.

Stacking quality draft class after quality draft class is the only way to produce contenders. Houston has developed starting talent and critical depth pieces on both sides of the ball with their 2024 class. They will need to step up again next Saturday when they face off against the NFL’s two-time Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs.