A Ground Game Gamechanger: Drafting a Running Back in the First Three Rounds Could Define Houston’s Offense

After a down year from C.J. Stroud, the Texans have multiple ways to approach building their offense. We've seen an emphasis on wide receiver, offensive line, and defensive line in the early rounds of the draft, but one position that has been largely ignored—if not outright dismissed—is running back.

Despite fielding one of the most talented 11-personnel sets in recent years, Stroud struggled in 2024. Even with the addition of Joe Mixon, the Texans’ offensive line makeup meant the team was always going to struggle against elite run defenses. The offense relied heavily on the quick passing game, but injuries at receiver and issues with pass protection disrupted its rhythm. Defenses adjusted by taking away the deep passes Stroud thrived on as a rookie, daring the Texans to run effectively against two-high safety looks while forcing Stroud to methodically move the ball down the field.

This offseason, the Texans’ priority should be putting Stroud in the best position to succeed. That means building a team capable of running the ball effectively against split-safety coverages, forcing defenses to simplify their approach and allowing Stroud to return to making explosive plays.

Why an Explosive Running Back is Key

Pairing a dynamic back with Mixon could be one of the most impactful moves the Texans make outside of fixing the offensive line. A runner who can bring speed and explosiveness while also serving as a weapon in Nick Caley’s passing game would be a game-changer.

This is a deep running back class, and while some may argue that a mid-round pick can fill the role, passing up on a talent like Kaleb Johnson or Trey Henderson from Ohio State would be a mistake. Both Dameon Pierce and Mixon dealt with injury issues last season, further stalling the Texans' offense. Adding a back with legitimate home-run speed could create a backfield reminiscent of the Detroit Lions, whose dynamic rushing attack helped Jared Goff thrive in play-action. Goff led the NFL with a 36.6% play-action rate, contributing to his 72.4% completion percentage. The Lions also faced the fewest light boxes in the league—something that could significantly benefit Stroud.

Pairing another talented back with Mixon would put defenses in a bind. Do they stack the box and risk Stroud carving them up with his accuracy? Or do they stay in two-high, split-field looks and allow the Texans to control the game on the ground? This type of offensive balance would simplify things for Stroud, who struggled against split-field coverages in 2024.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Stroud’s difficulties against split-safety defenses were well-documented. According to NFL Pro:

“He has also thrown eight interceptions against split-safety coverage, tied for the most in the NFL (Kirk Cousins), and four times the number he threw last season (two). Stroud has faced split-safety coverage on a league-high 57.1% of early-down dropbacks this season, up from 42.9% last season (10th-lowest). His +14.3% year-over-year increase is the largest among 23 qualified quarterbacks.”

Defenses will continue to play this way until Stroud proves he can beat them—or until the Texans force them into single-high safety looks by establishing a dominant rushing attack.

Investing in the Offensive Identity

While the Texans have spent significant resources on their offensive line, they should strongly consider adding more elite talent to that unit along with a high-end running back. Running backs have been devalued for the past decade, but their impact on defenses remains undeniable. Unlike mobile quarterbacks who force defenses to respect the RPO game, Stroud isn’t a rushing threat. That makes it even more important to build an offense that opponents fear on the ground.

A strong running game would also aid the Texans' already impressive defense by improving time of possession and keeping them fresh deeper into games.

It’s clear that investing in wide receiver is necessary, but surrounding Stroud with a dominant rushing attack would relieve pressure and help him return to the elite quarterback the Texans believe he can be.