There may have been more talk about the running back position in January through March of 2024 than at any time I can remember in Houston.
Executive Vice President/General Manager Nick Caserio and Head Coach DeMeco Ryans wound up making a handful of moves at the position. The Texans traded for a former Pro Bowler, re-signed a 2023 hero and drafted one of the most underrated running backs on Day 3 in the 2024 NFL Draft.
With training camp coming up sooner than anyone wants to admit, I wanted to take a deep dive into the Texans current 90-man roster, position by position. So, let's jump into the revamped running back situation with the Texans heading into 2024.
Running backs (numerical order)
28 Joe Mixon
8th year - 1st in Houston
2024 FA signing
2023 stats (Bengals) - 17 games, 257 carries for 1,034 yards and nine TD, 52 receptions for 376 yards and three TD
- 10th in the NFL in 2023 for RB in receptions (52)
- 8th in the NFL in 2023 total rushing yards (1,034)
- Tied for 5th in the NFL in 2023 for first down runs (59)
- 6th on active career rushing list (6,412)
- 62 career touchdowns
Honors
1x Pro Bowl - 2021
3x AFC Offensive Player of the Week - 1x 2020, 1x 2021 & 1x 2022
Day 1 of the 2024 tampering period came and went without a new running back in Houston and people were in a full-on panic. (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!)
Then, on Day 2, after numerous backs chose their new locations, the Texans struck with a move that should give this running game a MAJOR boost. They traded for Mixon and his presence gives the Texans a whole new element in the run game. He's familiar with this offensive scheme. He's got size and speed and a hunger to show he's still got IT. His burst to and through holes in the interior is ever present. Also, he had over 50 receptions in 2023, which could make him an additional weapon in the passing game. Mixon could be the absolute perfect 3-down back in this offense…and the panicked will just say they saw it coming.
31 Dameon Pierce
3rd year in Houston
2022 4th round draft pick
2023 stats - 14 games, 145 carries for 416 yards and two TD, 13 receptions for 101 yards, one 98-yard kickoff return for a TD
- 4th in the NFL in NOT (non-offensive TDs) in 2023
Honors
2022 Angry Run of the Year - run at Jacksonville
As the Texans were thriving last year, Pierce struggled to find his role in this offense. He admitted during the season that he was indeed struggling with the new offense. But, he still found a way to impact the game with his kickoff returns, including a 98-yard return TD against Cleveland. In the offseason, Pierce committed himself to learning the scheme that much more to be comfortable as a runner in this system. He has good hands, so he could be added a weapon to the passing game more so than last year. Either way, when he's runnin' hot, he can exact punishment on the defense that could come in handy alongside Mixon, as DeMeco said, the Texans new 1-2 punch at RB.
33 Dare Ogunbowale
8th year - 3rd year in Houston
2022 FA signing, 2024 re-signing
2023 stats - 12 games, 8 carries for 35 yards, 2 receptions for 18 yards, one for one on field goal attempts
- 7 special teams tackles, one FF and one FR in 2023
- 1st non-kicker to make a field goal in regular season game since 2004
When Ogunbowale re-signed with the Texans in late April of 2024, it felt like all was right with the world. There's just something about Dare being on this roster that I love. Whether it's on third down, or on special teams, Ogunbowale has done nothing but add value every time he's on the field. No one who was at NRG Stadium will forget his go-ahead fourth quarter field goal against the Buccaneers in the Texans most exciting home win of the regular season. He's a stalwart on special teams. He does a great job protecting the QB on third downs. He's the proverbial Swiss Army knife that a championship team must have on the roster.
38 J.J. Taylor
3rd year - 2nd year in Houston
2023 FA signing
2023 stats - no stats, practice squad in New England and Houston for full season
When most people see Taylor, the first thing they see is his height, or lack thereof. But, look closer, and watch closely. He has a power packed, STRONG build and can absolutely scoot. I watched him in college at Arizona a ton and he was scintillating inside the tackles. When he exploded out of the pack, it was incredibly difficult for defenders to see him and make a tackle. It was impressive to watch him shake one defender and then explode into another one. The great thing for Taylor, in 2024, is that the Texans have four preseason games and that's going to get him on the field for a number of touches. I'm convinced that when people really SEE him at that point, they'll understand that being 5-6 is not a hindrance in the slightest.
42 Jawhar Jordan
Rookie
2024 6th round draft pick
2023 CFB stats (Louisville) - 13 games, 181 carries for 1,128 yards, 13 TD; 21 receptions for 246 yards and one TD
Jordan came into the radio studio during Texans Media Days and, during our interview, I asked him who he emulated as a youngster growing up. He immediately said that longtime star Shady McCoy was that guy. Then, I showed him my Draft scouting report and it said "Player Comp - Eagles/Bills star Shady McCoy". Jordan has similar shiftiness and electric change of direction like the former Pro Bowler and he can be a factor on special teams with returns as well. The Texans have seen late round/UDFAs make an impact as rookies (Steve Slaton/Arian Foster come to mind) in their 22-year existence. Could Jordan? Well, that would be a story for sure.
44 British Brooks
Rookie
2024 UDFA
2023 CFB stats (North Carolina) - 12 games, 75 carries for 387 yards, two TD; 14 receptions for 73 yards
Brooks was the backup to Joe Mixon clone/UNC star Omarion Hampton at North Carolina but he was impressive enough with his 75 totes/14 receptions to get the Texans attention in the post-draft, free agent process. He's built like a tank, I mean, his arms are bigger than my legs. Like Taylor and Jordan, Brooks should get enough touches with four preseason games, and joint practice with the Rams, to show what he's capable of in this Texans offense.
