Houston Texans Host Combine Standout Isaac Guerendo for Visit

The Houston Texans already acquired their starting running back, but taking a swing on a complementary back could be worthwhile.

Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Louisville running back Isaac Guerendo (RB12) during the 2024 / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Of the three high-profile moves the Houston Texans made, acquiring Joe Mixon carries the highest risk.

The running back position has proven to be fickle in the form of longevity, and longer-term investments have come back to bite teams in recent years. Mixon, a high-mileage back whose best days are behind him, isn’t the safest investment. 

However, with a balanced offense, strong play up front, and a plan to take some of the burden off of Mixon’s shoulders, there’s a path for Mixon to be a legitimate boon for the ground game, which struggled mightily for much of 2023.

Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Louisville running back Isaac Guerendo (RB12) during the 2024 / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

An ancillary option may be found on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.

Louisville running back Isaac Guerendo gained steam after a historic NFL Combine performance. Houston may find itself interested in the fifth-year senior. In a since-deleted tweet, Tony Pauline pegged the Texans as a team that had a visit with Guerendo. According to uSTADIUM, the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers, and Indianapolis Colts are on deck.

Guerendo’s rise to relevance starts with his 4.33-second 40-yard dash and a 6-foot, 221-pound frame. His bench didn’t live up to the power his weight would suggest, but elite agility and explosiveness marks make him one of the most athletic backs the Combine has ever seen.

Yet, his hype is stymied by a lack of a track record. He had just one season with 100 touches in college and projects best as a return specialist. Inconsistencies identifying holes and working through traffic cap his immediate impact, but he’s a certified home-run threat when given the opportunity to build up speed.

He may also earn snaps through encouraging reps in pass protection and his ability to turn checkdowns into big plays. Guerendo averaged over 10 yards per catch in 2023.

As a complement to Mixon’s consistent (but not necessarily exciting) impact, Guerendo is a strong fit for a backfield that may be complete with the veteran and third-year back Dameon Pierce. He would far and away be the most explosive player in the backfield and would be a near-certain boost to the return unit, too, which will see more action with the new rules.

It would be ambitious to call Guerendo a developmental back to take the reins after Mixon’s tenure, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be of  legitimate short-term significance in Houston.