NFL expert ranks Texans top team with most talent under 25

Parity from year to year is what sets the NFL apart from the other professional sports leagues. Any team can go from worst to first with a few good draft classes, and this keeps fans interested even when their teams are in the gutter.

In 2023, the Houston Texans took a big swing in the draft and it paid off immediately. Quarterback C.J. Stroud, defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and wide receiver Tank Dell joined other talented young players, including cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and safety Jalen Pitre.

This young core helped the Texans capture a division title last season along with the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards. It should come as no surprise that most NFL analysts are extremely high on the Texans going into 2024.

ESPN's Aaron Shatz ranked the Texans first in the NFL in terms of talent under the age of 25:

The Texans are easily No. 1 on this list. In the initial player values that I used to put together our list, the Texans have the top two players in under-25 value. Stroud is by far the No. 1 young asset in the NFL after he threw for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns and had the second-highest passing DYAR ever for a rookie (after Dak Prescott in 2016). Anderson is second after ranking third with a 25.8% pass rush win rate and collecting seven sacks and a Defensive Rookie of the Year award to match the Offensive Rookie of the Year award won by Stroud. Both players will turn 23 in the early part of the upcoming season."

Anderson and Stroud will give Houston a chance for sustained success under the leadership of 39-year old head coach DeMeco Ryans. This impressive collection of under-25 talent also gave the front office the confidence to trade for All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who might have been the missing piece for a championship run. The former Bills and Vikings star is the kind of veteran this team needs to take that next step.

With a plethora of offensive weapons and a promising triggerman in Stroud, this Texans team could be lethal in 2024.