Latest news with #DavisMills
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ten Takeaways from the Houston Texans' Preseason Game against Minnesota
1. Davis Mills is legit Mills led Houston's first and only touchdown drive of the game and unveiled the new offense under Nick Caley for the first time. He went 4/5 for 50 yards and a touchdown to veteran, free agent receiver Braxton Berrios. While there is no competition at QB in Houston, fans can sleep soundly knowing that the team possesses two capable QBs. 2. The toughest cut will be at the wide receiver position The receivers showed out in their first preseason game with John Metchie III's five catches on eight targets, Berrios' touchdown, and Xavier Hutchinson's two strong receptions. The Texans tend to keep six receivers, but with Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins, and Jaylin Noel all locks, the three above receivers must compete for two spots. 3. Darrell Taylor will be a great addition to the defensive line Taylor was the most dominant pass rusher on the team. His PFF grade of 66.9 led all defensive linemen. He generated a consistent pass rush throughout the first half and supported the run game by funnelling plays back into the teeth of the defense. He has been flourishing with Denico Autry and Derek Barnett out throughout training camp. 4. E.J. Speed brings the SWARM mentality No defensive player stood out more in the preseason game than Speed. He tallied three tackles, a tackle for loss, and broke up a pass. His 92.0 PFF grade led the entire team. Speed had a huge hit in the first quarter to shut down a run play on the boundary. While he currently is the backup, Speed brings depth and tenacity to the linebacker group. 5. Mertz looks healthy, but not ready for the bright lights Three interceptions in a row is a death knell for a rookie QB. Low passes, tipped balls, and errant throws due to miscommunication ruined Mertz's first game back since tearing his ACL last October at Florida. He looked distinctly worse than second-year QB Kedon Slovis. Mertz wasn't in the competition to make the roster, but he has a lot to prove to earn a spot on the Texans' practice squad at this point. 6. Texans' secondary depth isn't as talented as hoped Injuries to C.J. Garner-Johnson and rookie Jaylen Reed zapped the depth out of this elite group. The Texans' second and third-string defensive backs struggled in protection and gave up multiple deep throws in the third and fourth quarters. Namely, Russ Yeast, M.J. Stewart, and rookie Jaylin Smith were targeted quite often in the passing game. Hopefully, Houston can get back either CJDJ or Reed soon to bolster the depth in this important positional group. 7. The offense trusts Dare Ogumbowale All the hype this offseason has been around rookie fourth-rounder Woody Marks and 2024 sixth-rounder Jawhar Jordan, but it was Ogumbowale who had the most productive outing. With Nick Chubb, Joe Mixon, and Dameon Pierce not participating in this game, the healthy trio of Ogumbowale, Marks, and Jordan carried the backfield. Ogumbowale led with five carries for 29 yards, while Jordan only amassed 18 yards on six runs. 8. New faces on offense, still the same issues Houston racked up multiple false starts and holding calls on offense, the bane of this team's existence. Zach Thomas and Blake Fisher each committed a false start, and neither looked particularly capable on Saturday either. Maybe there's something in the water at NRG, but nothing seems to kick the issues plaguing the offensive line. 9. The Gary Kubiak System is BACK Bootlegs, play-action passes, and three-step drops under center… what is this, 2008? The first preseason game delivered a live-action demonstration of the Nick Caley offense. Caley comes from the Sean McVay and New England Patriots systems, which are predicated on play action and short passes. While I can't imagine the new offensive coordinator showed all (or any) of his cards on Saturday, it is intriguing to see the Texans run such a familiar system once again. 10. C.J. Stroud criticism for not participating is warranted The Texans are trying to win a Super Bowl. They have a completely new offense, offensive line, rookie receivers, and a rookie running back. They all need reps together with the starting QB. Waiting until the season for those reps to occur is unprofessional and weak. It's one thing for them to practice together; it's another to test them in the preseason. While Stroud had a fantastic rookie campaign, that doesn't mean he should be exempt from improving through preseason games.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texans PFF grades: Best and worst defensive performers from preseason loss vs. Vikings
The Houston Texans couldn't start off the preseason on a high note, dropping their first game to the Minnesota Vikings in a 20-10 defeat. Behind rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy and several plays from new quarterback Sam Howell, Minnesota's passing game took control. The Texans responded after McCarthy's opening drive with a scoring streak of their own. Davis Mills, who got the start at quarterback in place of Pro Bowler C.J. Stroud, marched the offense 74 yards in 10 plays to score on a 14-yard touchdown pass to Braxton Berrios that gave Houston the 7-3 lead. 'I was really pleased with our first offensive group,' Ryans said. 'The way they stepped out very efficiently. I liked everybody just being very calm and composed. Davis did an excellent job of driving the ball down the field, commanding the huddle, putting the ball in really good placement.' Three interceptions from Graham Mertz kept Houston away from the end zone in the second half. Howell, who was traded from Seattle to Minnesota this offseason, led the Vikings' offense after McCarthy, going 11-of-13 for 105 yards. He led Minnesota to a pair of scores: a 38-yard field goal by Reichard and his own 1-yard touchdown run. Pro Football Focus handed out player grades for those who took a snap in Houston's loss against the Vikings and we broke them down by offense and defense. Below are the five highest and lowest grades on the offensive side of the ball after a surprising performance at U.S. Bank Stadium. There were few surprises in terms of the highest- and lowest-graded players, both on offense and defense. In fact, most of you can already guess who graded out in stellar and horrendous fashion. Here's a look at the five best defensive players below: Top 5 defense LB E.J. Speed - 92.0 LB K.C. Ossai - 78.0 LB Jamal Hill - 72.3 DB Myles Bryant - 72.3 DE Darrell Taylor - 66.9 Speed might be the best No. 4 linebacker in the NFL. After taking over in place of Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To'oTo'o, the former Indianapolis Colts starter finished with four tackles, including two for a loss. Bryant, who is expected to begin working drills at safety with C.J. Gardner-Johnson sidelined, totaled a team-leading six tackles and a pass breakup. His tackle grade of 82.9 was the highest among all Texans' players. Bottom 5 defense DL Marlon Davidson - 32.4 LB Nick Niemann - 37.4 CB Arthur Maluet - 38.4 LB Jake Hansen - 46.4 DL Haggai Ndubuisi - 46.7 Davidson's days could be numbered with potentially one of the other defensive linemen returning. Known for being a potential positive in run defense, his 29.3 grade marked the lowest of all defensive players. Other notables DB Jaylin Smith- 56.2 DB Damon Arnette - 58.6 DB Russ Yeast - 62.5 DL Tommy Togiai -47.0 DE Casey Toolhill - 59.3 This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans PFF grades: Top & Bottom defensive players in loss vs. Vikings
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
WATCH: Texans take control with Braxton Berrios TD vs. Vikings
Braxton Berrios is making his case for a spot on the active roster. On third down against the Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills floated a pass into the arms of Berrios, who turned up field unscathed to walk into the end zone for a 14-yard score, giving the Texans a 7-3 lead to close out the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Here's a look at No. 17's first fouchdown in a Texans' uniform. Berrios, who signed a one-year deal worth $2 million this offseason, is coming off a torn ACL suffered last season during a return for the Dolphins. He did not catch a pass in those appearances, but was working as a kickoff and punt returner. Overall in his career, Berrios has found success on special teams, but has seen some success in the passing game. Berrios has 134 catches for 1,323 yards and six touchdowns for his career. He has also run for four scores and he has one kickoff return touchdown. The Texans will start on offense in the second half. This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: WATCH: Alix Earle's BF scores easy TD for Texans to take lead
USA Today
18-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 Texans offseason roster profile: QB Davis Mills
The Houston Texans are officially in offseason mode and we are still weeks away from free agency and the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Over the next few weeks, Texans Wire will break down each player on the roster who is signed through the 2025 season and their potential moving forward. We will recap their 2024 season, their contract status and what their status is for the coming offseason and 2025 season. Let's round out the quarterback room by breaking down Davis Mills. 2024 Davis Mills season Mills did exactly what was asked of him as the No. 2 in 2024. The former third-round pick pushed Stroud in practice and came in games that were either blowouts or whenever Stroud needed to seek medical help. His playing time was limited, but that's usually a good sign for a backup quarterback. Mills might not have played much, but be was an essential part of the Texans' success en route to a postseason run. 2024 Davis Mills stats Mills saw action in five games, completing 55.6% of his pass attempts for 212 yards. He mostly played in Week 18's victory over the Tennessee Titans after starters were pulled following the opening scoring drive. 2025 contract status Mills, who signed a one-year, $5 million extension last offseason, has one year remaining on contract. He is scheduled to make $3.6 million in salary in 2025 and will count as $4.9 million against the salary cap. Outlook for 2025 Mills should remain one of the top backups in the NFL. Barring an offseason trade, he's expected to be back at NRG Stadium for offseason workouts and the rest of the 2025 season. The bigger question turns to his backup plan. The Texans love Mills and he loves Houston, but could the firing of Bobby Slowik lead to a reevaluation of long-term status? Time will tell how new offensive coordinator Nick Caley views Mills' potential in the offense.
