The 2023 NFL Season is here, and the Music City Drive In is getting you ready. Check back each day from now until September 3 as we look at each team and make award and playoff predictions. Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.

The Texans started the 2022 season earning a tie with the Colts. That gave fans hope that the team might be better than expected. It wasn’t. The Texans didn’t have the worst record in the league, but at 3-13-1 they weren’t far behind. With plenty of change this off-season, the team is looking to take a step in a better direction in 2023.

Off-Season Changes

The Texans let go of Head Coach Lovie Smith this off-season, but he wasn’t the only veteran to leave the team. Veteran quarterback Kyle Allen headed to Buffalo, while Tremon Smith signed with Denver and Jonathan Owens moved on to the Packers. Receiver Phillip Dorsett and tight end O.J. Howard signed with the Raiders, while receiver Chris Moore signed with the Titans.

The Texans found a new coach in former San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator DeMeco Ryans. He brought safety Jimmie Ward and defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway with him. The team also brought in veteran running backs Devin Singletary and Mike Boone, veteran receiver Robert Woods and tight end Dalton Schultz. The Texans also signed veteran quarterback Case Keenum.

In the draft, the Texans looked to re-build the roster. The team snagged the top pass rusher available in Will Anderson, Jr., and grabbed center Juice Scruggs. The Texans also grabbed receivers Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchison. But the biggest pick was the team’s first, as the Texans used the No. 2 overall pick to snag C.J. Stroud. At Ohio State, Stroud threw for 8,123 yards and 85 touchdowns in two seasons as the starter. He figures to help re-boot the franchise in Houston.

Fantasy Impact

It starts at quarterback. The Texans could use Keenum or Davis Mills as a starter, but it would make the most sense to use Stroud. He’s a young player with a young team. Still, his skills give him QB2 upside. He’s also a great pickup in dynasty.

In the backfield, the team figures to lean on second-year man Dameon Pierce and the veteran Singletary. Pierce was RB27 as a rookie and Singletary was RB23. I think the pair will split the backfield more than most realize, which makes Singletary a more interesting value to me. He’s going as RB44 and I think he’ll outplay that.

In the passing game, I like Schultz the best. He got the Franchise Tag from Dallas a year ago, finishing as TE10 a year ago. I like him as a TE1. In the receiver room, the Texans have a broad group that includes Woods, rookies Dell and Hutchison and young receivers Nico Collins and John Metchie III. Someone in that group will end up being a value, but it’s hard to predict. Metchie missed all of last season due to illness, but he’s currently going as WR75. He’s the one I’m most drawn to as a late flier.

Prediction

The Texans were bad last season. I think they’re moving in the right direction but change and a complete roster overhaul takes time. With young players all over the field, they’ll be a tough out and fun to watch, but probably a five- or six-win team.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.