Not everything was perfect Saturday for C.J. Stroud during Day 3 of Houston Texans’ training camp at the Houston Methodist Training Center.
The former No. 2 overall pick threw his first pick of the summer after overshooting a wide-open Tank Dell.
He missed Nico Collins on a post pattern that on gamedays would have led to a punt.
The Texans’ projected starting offense struggled to close out the day while the defense feasted on miscues in the sweltering Texas heat.
Stroud missed more on Saturday than he plans to for the rest of the summer, but he didn’t miss Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs streaking across the middle of the field.
If that’s the most significant takeaway from Saturday’s offensive production, consider that a victory for the long-term.
#Texans OC Bobby Slowik on @stefondiggs , “I just love his personality. He’s extremely competitive. He’s got energy, he’s got juice…he wants to be the best he can be. He wants to be coached.” pic.twitter.com/vrsAUDxInq
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) July 20, 2024
“I just love his personality,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said following practice. “He’s extremely competitive, he’s got energy, he’s got juice. I’d never been around him prior to this and I think I speak for the entire offseason and the entire team that he just – he’s fun to be around.”
Acquired for a 2025 second-round pick from Buffalo, Diggs seems to be the missing piece of a “five-head monster” for an offense looking to elevate its status to Super Bowl contention this fall.
Fans have already seen the dynamics of Stroud’s relationship with Collins and Dell. They understand there’s an established connection between the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year and tight end Dalton Schultz.
But where does Diggs fit into the equation? Based on Saturday’s showcase, quite well and perhaps even better than expected.
“He’s somebody who loves the game and doesn’t cheat it and that’s why he’s been successful and I think he’ll continue that success,” Stroud said earlier this week.
While Stroud continues to dish the ball around to all his targets, Diggs consistently has found ways to get noticed. On Saturday, he was the go-to option, hauling in three passes and turning up-field for what would have been first-down gains.
Yall swear Stefon Diggs worried bout individual Accolades. We building for something bigger 🗣🏆4 pic.twitter.com/bdQLaFaA2m
— CJ Anderson SzN 💫 (@AyooTexanNation) July 20, 2024
One reception went for a gain of 15. Another went for 12. The first play, however, might have been Diggs’ best one of camp. After initially beating Derek Stingely Jr., the four-time Pro Bowler made a second move on the third-year defensive back and broke free across the middle.
He then juked a pair of defenders for a 30-yard gain, placing Houston’s offense at midfield.
“He wants to help teach young guys. He wants to be a leader,” Slowik said. “He also wants other guys in the room, when they have something for him, to coach him and to teach him and get something from Nico, get something from Tank.”
Since arriving in April, Diggs and Stroud have been working away from the facility. The two worked out with Dell and John Metchie III in Los Angeles shortly after he was traded.
They later worked out in France during fashion week and again at the University of Miami’s indoor complex before reporting to camp.
Diggs has been the model of consistency since his days in Minnesota. He has six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons dating back to 2018. The All-Pro also has caught at least 103 passes per season since 2020, including a league-leading 127 during his first season with the Bills.
CJ Stroud to Stefon Diggs on a skinny post for a huge gain.
Diggs-Stroud ⚡️ through two team periods today.
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) July 20, 2024
During his four seasons in Buffalo, Diggs led the NFL in total receptions with 445 and posted 37 career touchdowns.
The Texans have ample offensive talent outside, but Diggs is the proven commodity. Three months into his new adventure, Diggs already feels like part of the crew.
“That’s the number one thing that jumps out to me. He’s one of us,” Slowik said. “He’s a competitor, he loves football and he’s been a great dude.”
