OTA Week 2 Observations

Since Stefon Diggs was traded to Houston more than 50 days ago, the overarching narrative surrounding the four-time Pro Bowler has been how he would fit into a Texas offense already littered with multiple threats.

Diggs, a No. 1 receiver in Buffalo, joined a team with a 1,000-yard receiver in Nico Collins, who signed a three-year contract extension worth $72.75 million earlier this week, as well as Tank Dell, who was likely on his way to a 1,000-yard rookie season before an injury ended it.

But the first returns on Diggs’ form seem promising.

Diggs, who has participated in some OTAs, practiced for the first time in the presence of the media in attendance on Thursday. He interacted with his teammates and made several catches during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, showing why the Texans decided to add him to their roster.

With several mouths to feed, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said he will handle things the same way he did last season.

“Our job is to take advantage of what they are elite at. How can we make sure that what works for them is shown to the world and highlighted?” Slowik said. “We have the opportunity to use that in the passing game and in the running game. We have a quarterback that really doesn’t give us any limitations in that regard. We can do all kinds of things to make sure that little “No matter what we call and however we use guys, we make sure they play to their strengths.”

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In any given game, the Texans could have a different primary receiver, whether it’s Diggs, Collins, Dell or even tight end Dalton Schultz, who was clutch for Houston last season.

But Diggs could take the Texans’ offense to new levels if they could all coexist.

The Texans gave up a 2025 second-round pick for Diggs, a hefty investment for a player who should only be here for one season. It was a calculated move, but one that general manager Nick Caserio and coach DeMeco Ryans wouldn’t have agreed to if they didn’t think the Texans had the talent to compete for a Super Bowl next season.

Slowik thinks this experiment will work because: 1) he has the right quarterback in CJ Stroud, who Joe Mixon said Thursday has the potential to be the best quarterback in the NFL; and 2) Collins, Dell, and Diggs have varying skill sets and play the game differently. Dell has proven to be more of a major threat. Collins is a big, huge threat in the red zone. And Diggs is one of the best route runners in the game and can do a little bit of everything.

Not to mention the addition of Mixon, who can catch the ball out of the backfield.

“If we feel like we have to throw the ball deep to win a game, we can do that,” Slowik said. “If we have to go short to win a game, we can do it.

“If we have to throw the ball 40 times to win a game, we believe we can do it. It allows and empowers us to do whatever is necessary in any given week to beat the opponent in front of us And everyone on our offense, and really on our team right now, is all about it, and that’s what makes it really fun.

Slowik said the most important thing for Diggs is to pick up on the terminology used in his offense. It was different in Buffalo, but the OC said Diggs’ competitiveness has been evident so far.

“He’s a lot like (Stroud) in that he’ll do absolutely whatever it takes to win the game, whether he doesn’t have the ball (or) he has the ball in his hands,” said Slowik.

Collins, 25, said Diggs is the missing piece the Texans needed — a veteran who constantly pushes and encourages other receivers. He said he’s been watching Diggs since he was in high school.

“He’s had a lot of success in this league,” Collins said. “For him to be in a room with us, just the success he’s had on the field is not a better feeling. You can pick his brain – how he moves, how he thinks, how he comes out of the line of scrimmage. Things like that go far.

“It’s going to be tough on defenses.”

Diggs wasn’t the only star missing from last week’s practice to return Thursday. Defensive end Danielle Hunter, who signed a two-year contract with the Texans this offseason, was also back to make her media debut.

During 11-on-11 team drills, he used his long arms to get past rookie offensive tackle Blake Fisher for what would have been a sack on Stroud.

On the other side, Will Anderson passed Charlie Heck. It would have been a matchup for both defensive ends. That’s what the Texans envisioned when they signed Hunter.

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While Diggs and Hunter returned, the Texans were missing offensive tackles Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard.

Both are returning from knee injuries suffered last season. Howard is expected to return at some point during training camp.

This portion of OTAs is strictly voluntary and players are not obligated to attend. Tunsil didn’t participate last year and still had a great season. The NFL should propose eliminating OTAs in favor of a longer preparation period in training camp.

In 7-on-7 drills, Lassiter, the rookie cornerback drafted in the second round, led an outside cornerback with the first team. During one trip, he was guarding Dell, who managed to catch up with him.

Lassiter playing with the first team does not necessarily mean he will be a starter. Position battles will be decided at training camp. But it is important that he is exposed to it.

“Another guy, just talking about these interchangeable parts and the versatility of, “Can we move it inside? Can we play him on the outside?” Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said of Lassiter. “Are there any matchups we prefer?” Again, it’s a bit what he can absorb. He’s just a very intelligent football player and he understands things quite well.”

The Texans have yet to figure out who their starting cornerback will be opposite Derek Stingley Jr. The competition is between Lassiter and veterans CJ Henderson and Jeff Okudah.

It will be interesting to see how the receiver position evolves. Diggs, Collins, Dell and probably Noah Brown, if he can stay healthy, are the keys to making this list.

But the final two or three spots are up in the air and will be decided between Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson, Steven Sims and Ben Skowronek.

These are all solid options. Sims caught a deep touchdown pass from fullback Tim Boyle during 7-on-7 drills. He also has value on special teams as a return man and could be a wild card. The Texans like Skowronek’s ability to also play on special teams and be versatile. He played fullback last year for the Rams.

Woods is a veteran who, going into last season, was one of Stroud’s favorite targets. And Hutchinson is only in his second year and still growing.