3 Jacksonville Jaguars 2023 opponents that improved immensely in free agency

2. Jacksonville Jaguars 2023 opponent that got better: Houston Texans

The Jaguars were at last able to beat the Houston Texans in 2022. Before their Week 17 matchup last year, Jacksonville had lost nine consecutive games to their division foes. Heading into the 2023 season, sweeping the Texans should be one of their top priorities. However, it won't be a walk in the park as Houston has gotten much better since their last encounter.

Lovie Smith is out and DeMeco Ryans is in as the Texans' head coach but that's not the only reason the Jags may have a hard time disposing of their division rival. Houston made several important additions in free agency and most of them will have a meaningful impact in 2023. Besides re-signing left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a three-year extension, general manager Nick Caserio found several players that could have a big impact and didn't have to overpay for any of them.

Getting tight end Dalton Schultz on a one-year deal worth $9 million was arguably Caserio's best move but that's far from the only good signing he's made this offseason. He also inked Pro Bowl linebacker Denzel Perryman and traded for wide receiver Robert Woods. On top of that, he secured running back David Singleterry at $3.75 million for 2023.

Losing Brandin Cooks to the Dallas Cowboys certainly hurts but the Texans' offense looks better even after trading him. Singletary will form a dynamic running back tandem with sophomore Dameon Pierce while Schultz will give whoever starts behind center a huge target in the middle of the field.

Speaking of the quarterback position, Houston holds the second overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, which they will most likely use on either C.J. Stroud (Ohio State) or Bryce Young (Alabama). Once the Texans get their potential quarterback of the future, they'll be able to work their way out of the division cellar.