Texans’ Air Attack Evolves as Noel, Stroud Find Their Rhythm
The Houston Texans spread the ball out more than ever this season in their Week 8 win vs. the San Francisco 49ers.
Without Nico Collins or Christian Kirk in the lineup, quarterback C.J. Stroud logged a completion to nine different pass-catchers on the day for over 300 yards and two touchdowns. It came out to be one of his and the offense's best performances of the season so far, and of course, led to a winning effort.
One of the beneficiaries in the Texans' receiving core, rookie wideout Jaylin Noel, put together a second-straight solid showing in the process. He had a season-best five catches for 63 yards, coming out as Houston's second-leading pass-catcher on the day behind just Xavier Hutchinson.
But with nine catches for 140 yards in the past two games of the season (15.5 yards/reception), Noel and Stroud are clearly starting to gain some positive chemistry heading into the second half of the year, especially on the deep ball; a step in the right direction could pay off in a major way as the Texans continue to build more confidence on the offensive end.
Noel himself sees that chemistry building too, but he credits Stroud for making the magic happen more than anything.
"I mean, I think the hardest part is C.J.'s part, him actually putting the ball out there," Noel said. "He puts the ball in the perfect spot. So it's really kudos to him being able to do what he does."
" It's just on me to be in the right spot at the right time, and, um, like I said, he does the hard part in getting the ball here. So, yeah, he's really impressive in that way."
Jaylin Noel Could See Expanded Role Moving Forward
Now on the season, Noel has 14 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown, with the past two weeks of production possibly hinting at an expanded role in the receiving room to come his way in the near future as the Texans and offensive coordinator Nick Caley continue to open up the playbook for Houston's young playmakers–– including fellow rookies Jayden Higgins and Woody Marks.
That's a decision that panned out decently well for the Texans last week in San Francisco. Time will tell if they keep the trend rolling into Week 9 vs. the Denver Broncos, but Noel will certainly be ready for the opportunity if and when it comes his way.
Cowboys Trade for Myles Garrett Just Got a Lot More Likely After New Report
A notable NFL insider has offered up a detailed explanation for why the Dallas Cowboys making a blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett in the next week is very realistic.
After the Cleveland Browns gave superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett a four-year extension worth $160 million earlier this year, it seemed even more likely that the six-time Pro Bowler would actually finish his career in Cleveland. Then Week 8 happened.
On Sunday, Garrett had a game of a lifetime as he posted five sacks against the New England Patriots. However, it meant nothing as the Browns were still blown out by a score of 32-13. Garrett was seen enraged on the sidelines late in the game, and speculation grew louder that he could push for an exit like he reportedly did earlier this year.
However, many around the game believe his massive contract would make a trade very difficult. But, according to ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano, that may not necessarily be the case. He admits that trading Garrett now would mean a big dead cap hit to Cleveland in the years ahead. But various teams have taken on bigger cap hits while getting nothing in return.
“That’s a lot of dead money, but it’s not even close to the record,” Graziano writes. “The Broncos took on about $80 million when they cut Russell Wilson last year, and they made the playoffs last season and look poised to do so again. The Buccaneers are still carrying Tom Brady’s dead money and they won their division every season. We see teams do this more and more as the salary cap continues to rise significantly each year.”
Cowboys could create perfect draft scenario for Browns in Myles Garrett trade
Along with that, Graziano added that there are two other key factors in a potential trade before the Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline. First, Garrett has to want it. Considering the Browns’ long-term outlook and where he would go in the deal, waiving his no-trade clause shouldn’t be a big problem. But Cleveland also must get an offer that makes it worth taking on all that dead money.
Well, the Cowboys are one of the few teams that can make the sort of offer the Browns would want, and that is two first-round picks in April, according to Graziano. After the Micah Parsons trade, they will have two first-rounders in 2026, and following his exit, they still have a desperate need for pass-rushing help this season and beyond.
- Myles Garrett stats: 8 games, 10 sacks, 31 tackles, 15 tackles for loss
“Cleveland would be looking at the possibility of having four first-round selections in the 2026 draft,” Graziano wrote. “The Browns would be able to completely control Round 1 and come out of it with whichever quarterback they wanted. The acquiring team would have to pay Garrett a fairly reasonable $31.5 million in fully guaranteed money in 2026 and about $30.5 million in 2027.”
Based on those details, it sure seems like a blockbuster Myles Garrett trade for the Dallas Cowboys is there for the taking if the star pass rusher really wants out. Especially since the Browns could have a franchise-changing draft next year from what they could get in the deal.
