The Houston Texans want to prove themselves.

With a new coach, a new quarterback and improvements on both sides of the ball, Houston is prepared and ready to step up this season.

The front and center of that change is Stroud. The No. 2 pick of the draft will take over as the starting quarterback for the Texans and is the face of the rebuild. He’ll be helped on offense by a strong offensive line, Dameon Pierce at running back and weapons at receiver that include Nico Collins, Robert Woods, John Metchie III and Dalton Schultz will be a big factor in the pass game as well.

“Through everything in preseason and training camp CJ has really shown us the complete product,” said Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans. “CJ’s desire to continue to get better is exactly what we’ve wanted to see. Our whole team has to continue to get better and having that mindset is big. We think he’s ready for it. He’s done a really good job and has progressed each week. The offensive line has continued to get better and is giving him time, that’s where it all starts.”

Defensively, Houston should be improved as well, the addition of the No. 3 pick of the draft, Will Anderson, will help on the defensive line and will be help by Jerry Hughes, while the teams linebackers and secondary are in a better situation under the current defense than what they were in last year.

“With our defense, I feel like we have a very versatile group, especially with that back seven” Ryans said. “We have a lot of guys who can do multiple things and cover for us in multiple ways. We’re going to see how it turns out but we’re excited.”

The Texans start the year with a big test on Sunday, as they will face off against the Ravens at noon in Baltimore. But it’s an opportunity for the team to continue to prove itself as well and the biggest goal is to make sure win or lose, it’s a competitive matchup against one of the best teams in the NFL.

“The biggest thing for me and the guys is I have to and we have to go out there and get better this week and be ready for Baltimore,” Stroud said. “I’m going to work hard to better myself and be the best I can be when I go and line up against those guys.”