See which Texans players cracked CBS Sports' top-100 player list

USA Today

14 hours ago

See which Texans players cracked CBS Sports' top-100 player list
The 2025 NFL season is quickly approaching (in a few months), which means everyone is beginning to take a hard look at the state of the league, which teams are filled with standout players and who could have the biggest impact on the year's outcome.
CBS Sports' Pete Prisco ranked his top 100 players heading into the 2025 season. Four Houston Texans made the list, with two landing inside the top 50 and one inside the top 25. All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. was ranked the highest at No. 23 and No. 2 ranked defensive back, trailing only Denver Broncos star and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II.
Last season, Prisco rated Stingley at No. 80 overall. New York Jets All-Pro Sauce Gardner, who was selected after Stingley, came in at No. 24.
"Stingley Jr. has emerged as one of the best cover players in the league after a so-so rookie season in 2022, which is why the Texans rewarded him with a big extension," Prisco wrote. "He had five interceptions in 2024."
Not only did Stingley finish top five in interceptions, but he also posted 18 pass breakups (second most) and allowed the second-lowest completion percentage among cornerbacks with at least 200 coverage snaps (46.7%), according to NFL Next Gen Stats. His performance led to a new three-year, $90 million extension this offseason, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the league with an annual $30 million salary.
Defensive end Danielle Hunter joined Stingley inside the top 50 after a promising first season with the Texans, coming in at No. 47. The native Houstonian wasn't the top name on the Texans' defensive line, but his consistency and pressure rate allowed Will Anderson Jr. to go untouched in most instances en route to a breakout second season.
"Hunter had 12 sacks in his first season with the Texans, giving him three straight double-digit sack seasons and five straight in seasons where he's played at least 16 games," Prisco wrote. "He is a force off the edge, teaming with Will Anderson Jr. to give the Texans a nice combo."
Anderson, who totaled a team-leading 13.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss, cracked the top 60 at No. 56. His lethal speed and hand usage makes him one of the rising stars entering a pivotal year ahead of contract negotiations.
"In his second season, Anderson Jr. had 13.5 sacks for the Texans," wrote Prisco. "He pairs with Danielle Hunter to give Houston one of the best edge-rushing duos in the league."
Even after missing five games, Nico Collins made the list at No. 67. Among receivers, Prisco listed him as the No. 9 pass-catcher entering this fall, but it has more to do with his time off the field than on it. Even in 12 games, he averaged over 14 yards per catch and finished with over 1,000 receiving yards for the second straight season.
"Bothered by injuries, Collins played in just 12 games last season as the Texans offense took a step back," Prisco wrote. "When he was on the field, he was still a big-play threat with 68 catches and seven touchdowns. He averaged 14.8 per catch, which was down from the year before."
Oddly enough, neither quarterback C.J. Stroud nor running back Joe Mixon made the list despite their statistical accomplishments in 2024 and predicted consistency heading into the season. Prisco ranked 11 other quarterbacks and eight other running backs, which should give you an indication of where the Texans' backfield could rank in his eyes.
The Texans open the regular season on the road against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 7.