Texans' DeMeco Ryans is already excited about one of the underrated moves of the offseason at OTAs
The Houston Texans made a calculated and strategic move in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting former Georgia CB Kamarri Lassiter as their first pick. It's no secret that the team needed reinforcement in the secondary. I'm pleased to report that the secondary has already shown significant improvement compared to last season, largely due to the […]
The Houston Texans made a calculated and strategic move in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting former Georgia CB Kamarri Lassiter as their first pick. It's no secret that the team needed reinforcement in the secondary. I'm pleased to report that the secondary has already shown significant improvement compared to last season, largely due to the team's other well-thought-out strategic moves in the offseason.
Not only did they draft one of the better cornerbacks in the draft in Lassiter, but they also grabbed two former top 10 picks at the cornerback position. C.J. Henderson was the ninth overall pick in the 2020 draft, and Jeff Okudah was the third overall pick in the 2020 draft.
With all the pieces they have added, the Houston Texans' defense in 2024 will surely be good. The two underrated signings we just mentioned could be a big part of that despite not being huge moves contract-wise. Head coach DeMeco Ryans is already excited about having the two of them.
"What stood out most to me about Jeff and CJ is you see elite movers," Ryans said at OTAs. "You see why these guys were top-five picks. They have the movement skills, they are big, fast, long corners that can run with anybody, and they have had some ups and downs in their careers. This is their third team and short career, but as I have told those guys, I don't care what happened in the past.
"You can wipe the slate clean; it really doesn't matter how can you come out and help us. They have been here every day of the offseason program, and they have done a great job of being dialed in at the meetings and on the field. I am super excited to work with both guys."
With Derek Stingley, a top-five cornerback in the league, currently holding down the position of CB1 on the team, the Texans have a spot open for the CB2 and CB3 positions. Both of these guys, as could rookie Lassiter, could fight for those spots. However, Lassiter could also play the nickel position, too.
Either way, the Texans, on paper, have a great cornerback room thus far. Now, we will see if that translates to the field or not. But, for now, it's pretty clear they can be good, and Ryans thinks so as well. And those two guys may not be very old, but they have already been through as seen a lot, from being at the top as big-time draft picks to being castaways, in a way. This is going to be a solid group.
Houston Texans sign cornerback C.J. Henderson to a one-year deal worth $3.25 million
The Texans are bolstering their defense.
