Texans' 2024 Breakout Player: Juice Scruggs

The Houston Texans had one of the best overall rookie classes of the 2023 season. Quarterback C.J. Stroud, EDGE Will Anderson Jr., and wide receiver Tank Dell all grew into immediate contributors with the former two players mentioned capturing Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Interior offensive lineman Juice Scruggs has an opportunity to join that group as another member of the draft class that becomes a high-level starter.

The Texans executed a mini surprise when they selected Scruggs with the No. 62 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Penn State standout was immediately positioned to be a starter, but unfortunately suffered an injury in the preseason finale versus the New Orleans Saints that led to a lengthy stint on IR.

Scruggs didn't make his rookie-season debut until a Week 12 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The versatile blocker played left guard and was credited with an acceptable 60.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. Scruggs remained in the starting lineup at that position for the rest of the season.

Scruggs arguably put forth his most impressive performance of the campaign against the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card round. The second-round selection didn't allow a single quarterback pressure via 22 pass-blocking snaps, and was awarded with a personal-high grade of 78.7 in pass protection.

All in all, Scruggs totaled 439 snaps. He allowed 13 pressures and four sacks and was generally up-and-down, understandably so given the circumstances. PFF slapped Scruggs with an overall grade of 51.5 (49.8 as a pass blocker, 54.7 as a run blocker).

Center is Scruggs' most natural position, and that's where he was initially tipped to play last season. By the time he returned from injury, Michael Deiter had established himself at center while the left guard spot had been plagued by injury.

Now healthy and available at his second camp, Scruggs appears locked into the starting center role. Deiter signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency. Scruggs isn't even facing any real competition, with sophomore sixth-rounder Jarrett Patterson and reserve linemen Dieter Eiselen working as backup players.

The offensive line has massive potential around Scruggs. Four-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil is still the left tackle. The Texans are hoping that 2022 first-rounder Kenyon Green makes the left guard spot his own. The right side is rock-solid with Shaq Mason at guard and Tytus Howard at tackle.

And what an offense they'll be blocking for. Stroud will be a legitimate MVP contender in his second season if he repeats his rookie-year success. The Texans acquired superstar playmakers Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon in the offseason, and gave reliable weapons Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz new contracts. The Texans are loaded, giving Scruggs an opportunity to block for an offense with top-five potential.

Scruggs flashed as a rookie despite suffering an early injury before then playing out of position midseason. Now healthy and in his most natural role, Scruggs should establish himself as a long-term solution at center. A breakout campaign is on the horizon.