Texans become legitimate Super Bowl contenders with addition of Stefon Diggs

Diggs' acquisition marks the culmination of a whirlwind year for the Texans that has seen the franchise go from the league's laughingstock to a bona fide Super Bowl contender.

Make no mistake, this is the type of move a team only makes if it believes it is a piece or two away from hoisting a Lombardi Trophy. After the rookie season that Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud just had, who can blame Houston for accelerating its timeline?

Stroud was named Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023 following a season in which he threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions and led Houston to the AFC Divisional Round, where it lost to the 1-seed Ravens.

Wide receiver Nico Collins was a revelation, finishing the year with 80 receptions, 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns. Rookie Tank Dell would have been in the mix for an OROY nomination if not for a season-ending leg injury in Week 13. In 11 games, he had 47 receptions, 709 yards and seven touchdowns.

Diggs had 107 receptions, 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Since joining the Bills in 2020, his 445 receptions are the most in the NFL. He also ranks fourth in receiving yards (5,372) and touchdowns (37) during that span.

The Texans also added running back Joe Mixon earlier this offseason to take over the lead-back role from Devin Singletary, who joined the Giants.

With Diggs, Houston's offense is as loaded as any in the AFC. Good luck to the league's defenses in stopping Houston's three wide-out sets: Diggs, Collins and Dell, with running back Mixon and tight end Dalton Schultz.

Stroud, in Year 2 with offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, was already expected to take a leap, but Diggs will take Houston's offense to another level.

Its defense isn't too shabby, either. The Texans boldly traded up to No. 3 overall last year to land defensive end Will Anderson Jr., who was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. This offseason, Houston also added edge-rusher Danielle Hunter, who has 87.5 career sacks.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans, a former linebacker for the franchise from 2006-11, can be trusted to continue to get the most out of a young, talented defense.

In his first year as head coach, Houston improved to 11th in scoring defense and 14th in total defense after finishing the 2022 season 27th in points allowed and 30th in total defense.

The Texans appeared years away from fielding a competitive team just 365 days ago. They entered the 2023 NFL Draft with 11 wins from 2020-22, the fewest in the league during that span.

The franchise is a perfect example of the kind of difference one draft class can make. With Stroud and Anderson providing elite production at two massively important positions, the Texans have wisely used this offseason to bolster the roster around their two stars.

Houston is no longer sneaking up on anyone. A year ago at this time, the Texans were in the NFL's wasteland. Now, they might just be the biggest threat to the Chiefs for AFC supremacy.