Analysis
8/7/23
5 min read
Houston Texans 2023 Fantasy Football Team Preview
As we inch closer to opening day of the NFL season, we want to get you prepared for your fantasy football drafts. That process begins with our team previews, where we’ll break down each team’s offense while providing players we’re targeting and, in some cases, avoiding.
Texans Fantasy Football Team Preview
Head Coach: DeMeco Ryans (first season)
Offensive Coordinator: Bobby Slowik (first season)
Key Offensive Additions
- RB Devin Singletary
- RB Mike Boone
- WR Robert Woods
- WR Noah Brown
- TE Dalton Schultz
- OG Shaq Mason
Key Offensive Departures
- WR Brandin Cooks
- WR Phillip Dorsett
- WR Chris Moore
Key Offensive Rookies
- QB C.J. Stroud — first-round draft pick
- C Juice Scruggs — second-round draft pick
- WR Tank Dell — third-round draft pick
- WR Xavier Hutchinson — sixth-round draft pick
Points Per Game: 17.0 (30th)
Passing Yards: 196.7 (25th)
Rushing Yards: 86.8 (31st)
Vacated Targets: 344 (first)
Pass: 64 percent Run: 36 percent
Pace: 19th
OL Rank: 11th
Quarterbacks
C.J. Stroud is a pure pocket passer who benefited from ridiculous wide receiver talent throughout his college career. The Texans can provide Stroud with solid pass protection. Still, their wide receiver group is on the opposite side of the spectrum compared to the premium talent Stroud enjoyed at Ohio State. Factor in that Stroud has limited rushing upside, and he’s little more than a matchups-based streaming option this season.
Davis Mills had a rocky sophomore campaign last year after showing some promise in his rookie season. If Mills opens the season as the Texans' starting quarterback, consider him a low-end streaming option who should remain on waivers outside of two-quarterback formats.
Running Backs
Dameon Pierce is the headliner here, becoming the first Texans running back to top 200 carries since 2019. The fourth-round rookie was eased in during Week 1 before averaging more than 17 carries and three targets per game in the next 12 games. Pierce never saw more than 123 total touches in any of his four seasons in college, so the decline in efficiency and production makes sense, given that context.
Devin Singletary never impressed the Buffalo Bills, and the Texans were able to lure him away for just a one-year $2.75 million contract. Behind Pierce and Singletary, Mike Boone has never topped 52 touches in any of his five NFL seasons, while Dare Ogunbowale has maxed out at 62 touches during his six seasons.
Right now, it’s safe to assume Pierce is in for a major workload behind a surprisingly competent Texans offensive line. He may not hit 20 touches per game like he did as a rookie, but the split is likely 15-17 for Pierce and 8-12 for Singletary each week. Pierce is the better pure runner and pass-catcher, while Singletary should work in relief. There’s a slight chance Pierce loses the trust of the coaching staff, but the chances of Singletary out-touching a healthy Pierce are slim.
Rookie QB Stroud lacks mobility, and the Texans have the NFL’s worst receiving core. Expect Pierce and Singletary to experience heightened pass-game involvement. Pierce is an RB2 type due to volume, while Singletary is probably not startable without an injury to Pierce.
Wide Receivers, Tight Ends
Under Ryans, the Texans' passing game may not see high volume, but their wide receivers offer great fantasy value due to their low-average draft positions. Nico Collins is expected to lead the wide receiver room, gaining trust from Stroud with his jump ball skills and impressive training camp performance.
Stroud threw to a lot of open wide receivers in college, and the two best separators on this team are John Metchie III and Tank Dell. Metchie's recovery from cancer treatments needs monitoring, but he showed promise in college as a separator. Dell consistently impressed on his path to the pros, showcasing his quick-twitch abilities in college and at the senior bowl.
Robert Woods' big contract may limit Metchie and Dell's initial playing time, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Houston gives its younger wide receivers a chance as the season goes on.
At tight end, former Cowboy Dalton Schultz stands out as the TE11 in drafts. He could lead the team in targets, benefiting from Slowik's concepts while becoming a reliable outlet for Stroud.
Dynasty Buy
Ian Miller: Sell Stroud (QB12)
Stroud can surely be good, but he has a narrow path to high-end production given his collegiate rushing profile. The problem is that, at this price, you’re essentially assuming that he will hit that narrow path. Not to mention, the offense notably lacks major weapons.
Texans We’re Targeting or Avoiding in Fantasy Football
Josh Larky: None
Ryan Reynolds: Target Pierce.
Jordan Vanek: Target Schultz.
Other Fantasy Previews
NFC East: DAL | NYG | PHI | WAS
NFC North: CHI | DET | GB | MIN
NFC South: NO | ATL | CAR | TB
NFC West: SF | LAR | SEA | ARI
AFC East: BUF | MIA | NE | NYJ
AFC North: BAL| CLE | CIN | PIT
AFC South: IND | TEN | JAX | TEN
Follow our Team on Twitter
Josh Larky: @JLarkyTweets
Ryan Reynolds: @RyanReynoldsNFL
Jordan Vanek: @JordanVanekDFS
Ian Miller: @Dynasty_IM
Our data is provided by Sports Info Solutions, and our vacated targets figure is provided by Tru Media.
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