Recently, Nick Shook, a writer for NFL.com, had an article where he listed 17 NFL players who were entering "make or break" seasons in 2025. In plain English, these are players who probably entered the league with big expectations or created big expectations with stellar play early in their careers, who now have fallen off the grid, and need a big 2025 to establish themselves again.
I was mildly surprised that Shook had no Houston Texans on his list. Sure, the Texans have reestablished their franchise as one of the more prominent forces with which to be reckoned over the last two years. However, there remain individuals who have been disappointing and from whom we've come to expect more.
Thankfully, I am here to create a list of "make or break" players solely on the Houston Texans roster, so without further ado, here are five Houston Texans currently at that crossroads:
DAMEON PIERCE, RB
UNDER CONTRACT THROUGH: 2025It feels like Pierce's stellar rookie campaign was eons ago. Back in 2022, when Lovie Smith was the head coach of the Texans, Pierce ran for nearly 1,000 yards in a season cut short by injury. He looked like the future at running back. Then, in came DeMeco Ryans, with Bobby Slowik as his offensive coordinator, and it's been a two season falling out, with Pierce regressing to a role as solely a kick returner, and almost zero touches at running back. The Texans drafted USC rookie Woody Marks at running back, and that will eat into Pierce's opportunities. In a contract year, Pierce needs to at least establish trust with the new offensive staff, to where they see him as usable.
JUICE SCRUGGS, OL
UNDER CONTRACT THROUGH: 2026Scruggs was a second round pick in the same draft that yielded C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson in the first round. He was clearly drafted to be the future center of the football team, paired with Stroud for the next decade-plus. Instead, he's been surpassed on the depth chart by sixth round pick Jarrett Patterson, and is flailing around trying to find a home at one of the guard spots. If Scruggs is going to be part of this team's future, he probably needs to be a starter coming out of training camp this preseason.
DALTON SCHULTZ, TE
UNDER CONTRACT THROUGH: 2026Schults is the one name on this list who is on a veteran contract, and not his rookie deal. After a stellar 2023 season, in which he was working on a one year "prove it" deal with the Texans, the team rewarded him with a three year, $36 million contract. In 2024, Schultz had similar numbers to his 2023 campaign, but if you watched the Texans snap to snap, you know there was regression, particularly in the run game and pass protection, where Schultz's blocking was atrocious. Hopefully, new OC Nick Caley, with a background in coaching tight ends, can help reestablish Schultz as a solid contributor.
CHRISTIAN HARRIS, LB
UNDER CONTRACT THROUGH: 2025At the end of the 2023 postseason, Harris looked like one of the rising stars at linebacker in the NFL, fresh off two playoff games where he had a pick six in one (versus the Browns) and was the Texans' best defensive player in the other (versus the Ravens). Then, 2024 happened, and it was catastrophic. Harris missed the first 14 weeks of the 2024 season with a mysterious soft tissue injury, and even once he got back, he was an afterthought. Now, in a contract year, Harris has a chance to regain his status, but he needs to be healthy. DeMeco Ryans claims Harris will be ready to go for camp. We'll see.
JOHN METCHIE, WR
UNDER CONTRACT THROUGH: 2025When Metchie was coming out of cancer treatment, into the 2023 season a couple years ago, he was a great story, and it is still a story that will endure. From a football standpoint, however, he needs to now be viewed through a lens where he is on an even playing field with the other bodies in the wide receiver room. The fact of the matter is that the Texans have brought in four new bodies, two through the draft and two in free agency, in the wide receiver room, that all might be better than Metchie. Metchie needs a big camp to keep his job. Honestly, the best thing for both parties might be a trade.
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