If the will maintain the same offensive approach They need to put emphasis on the running game.
Inching closer to becoming the first Texas running back to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season since Carlos Hyde in 2019, remains the workhorse for Houston's rushing attack. He has four 100-yard outings and continues to be a touchdown machine.
Plus, he turns 30 next year and could lose momentum in the final three years of his new contract. Relieving second-year quarterback CJ Stroud is critical to the prosperity of Houston's offense, and while Mixon envisions that happening in 2024, that needs to carry over to the final three years of his rookie contract.
A mock draft would be more likely to agree.
🚨NFL WATCH 🚨
Kaleb Johnson is a big back with sway 🕺🏿 and elite vision.
Questions remain about his long speed 🏃🏿♂️💨 and his “twitchiness”.
Where would you be confident taking him in next year's rookie draft?
— PlayerProfiler NFL (@Profiler_NFL)
In With the new mock draft, the Texans bolster their running back room with the selection of Iowa tailback Kaleb Johnson at No. 22. As a Doak Walker Award finalist, Johnson's physical north-south running approach would be an ideal fit for Slowik's offense.
Joe Mixon had a productive season for the Texans this season, but he will be entering his ninth season in 2025. We all know the shelf life of a running back and why a contingency plan is necessary. Kaleb Johnson is an excellent schema adaptation and gives Texans a plan for life after Mixon.
In his first year as the Hawkeyes' top runner, Johnson's productivity has led Iowa to another potential eight-win season. In addition to leading the Big Ten in rushing yards (1,492), he also leads the conference in yards per attempt (6.7), rushing touchdowns (21) and carries (223).
The junior has also rushed for more than 100 yards in eight of his 11 appearances this year. Several analysts consider him to be the No. 2 running back behind Boise State's Ashton Jeanty, who was taken 11th overall by the Dallas Cowboys.
Maryland has no answer for Kaleb Johnson. 24 carries 125 yards and we get that touchdown midway through the third quarter.
This TD broke the Iowa record for most rushing TDs in a single season with 21!
— Fantasy Wildcard Devy (@WildcardDevy)
The Texans need to build a new offensive line to protect Stroud, but that's where free agency could intervene. Adding a low-cost running back on a potential five-year deal could benefit Houston tenfold should Johnson eventually overtake Mixon as the long-term RB1 in Houston.
