Expect upgrades to line and linebackers
For the past two seasons, Nick Caserio and the Texans have had to sign players on cheap short-term deals to get out of the salary cap mess he inherited from the previous regime.
They’ve essentially shopped at the Dollar Tree and now it’s time they upgrade. While they likely won’t be going to Whole Foods, H-E-B is an option.
Last season, the Texans entered free agency with a little more than $15 million in cap space and did not sign any highprofile players.
Before agreeing to terms with wide receiver Robert Woods, they had about $38.77 million in cap space, which was the thirdmost in the NFL, according to Over the Cap. About $10-12 million will be allocated to future draft picks, while another few million will be saved for potential inseason moves.
But the Texans will have the ability to sign some highertiered players in free agency to fill their needs.
“We have a lot of areas to get better in, so it’s about acquiring the best talent for our team,” coach DeMeco Ryans said.
The Texans’ needs are plentiful on both sides of the ball. But their biggest needs on defense remain on the defensive line. They could also use a linebacker or two.
Free agency officially begins on Wednesday when the new league year starts. But teams the legal tampering period begins on Monday at 11 a.m.
Here’s a free agent guide for the defense:
Defensive line
Players under contract :DE Jerry Hughes ($6.25 million), DE Mario Addison ($2.3 million), DE Jonathan Greenard ($1.36 million), DT Maliek Collins ($9.8 million), DT Taylor Stallworth ($1.1 million), DT Roy Lopez ($985K), DT Thomas Booker IV ($954K), DT Kurt Hinish
($878K), DL Demone Harris ($950K), DL Adedayo Odeleye ($750K)
Unrestricted free agents: DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DE Rasheem Green, DE Derek Rivers
Free agents to consider :DT Sheldon Rankins (NYJ), DT Dalvin Tomlinson (MIN), DT David Onyemata (NO), DT Poona Ford (SEA), DL Zach Allen (AZ), DL Dre’Mont Jones (DEN)
Analysis: The Texans must get a nose tackle to go alongside Maliek Collins, who played the three-technique last season. They were the worst team in the league in more than a decade at stopping the run. Having a big body in the middle will help with that.
They also need some pass rush help. Hughes, who had a solid season with nine sacks, will be 35 next year, and Addison will be 36.
Okoronkwo, 27, became one of the Texans’ most efficient pass rushers late in the year. He finished with five sacks and a forced fumble and could be an option to return. But it’ll likely depend on the price.
Addison could be a salary cap casualty, as the Texans could save $2.3 million by cutting him.
Linebackers
Players under contract: Christian Kirksey ($6.2 million), Christian Harris ($1.2 million), Garrett Wallow ($1 million), Blake Cashman ($1.6 million), Jake Hansen ($872K).
Unrestricted free agents: Neville Hewitt, Kevin PierreLouis
Free agents to consider: Denzel Perryman (LV), Azeez Al-Shaair (SF), Bobby Wagner (LAR), Germaine Pratt (CIN) Analysis: It’s not great when your two safeties lead the team in tackles. That means the opposing running backs are getting past the first and second levels way too often.
The Texans’ linebackers struggled, especially against the run.
There were too many missed tackles and incorrect run fits. That was one of the reasons Kamu Gruger-Hill was cut in the middle of the season.
In Ryans’ 4-3 defense, he relies heavily on his middle linebackers in coverage when playing Cover-3.
Denzel Perryman, who is a free agent, was a Pro Bowl player for the Raiders after he led the league in tackles for the 2021 season.
He had 83 tackles and two interceptions last season.
Kirksey, while under contract, could become a cap casualty based on his contract. If the Texans were to cut him, they’d save $5.2 million, while incurring only $1 million in dead cap space.
But the Texans don’t necessarily need to cut him because they can save money in other areas.
The Texans will cut linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin to save $2.2 million.
Safeties
Players under contract: Jalen Pitre ($2 million), Eric Murray ($5.3 million), M.J. Stewart ($2.2 million)
Unrestricted free agents: Jonathan Owens
Free agents to consider: Jimmie Ward (SF), Jesse Bates (CIN), Taylor Rapp (LAR), Julian Love (NYG)
Analysis: The Texans need to add a starter at safety opposite Jalen Pitre, and they can do that in the draft or free agency. Don’t expect safety to be a highspending priority, though.
With 11 draft picks, the Texans also have the option to get a safety in the draft on Day 2 or early on Day 3.
Ward, 31, played under Ryans with San Francisco. But he wasn’t always happy. He made the switch from safety to slot corner and expressed his displeasure with the move during the season.
Cornerbacks
Players under contract: Derek Stingley Jr. ($7.8 million), Steven Nelson ($5.6 million), Desmond King- ($4.4 million), Grayland Arnold ($1 million), Kendall Sheffield ($1.1 million), Jacobi Francis ($870K), D’Angelo Ross ($870K).
Unrestricted free agents: Tavierre Thomas, Tremon Smith
Free agents to consider: Tavierre Thomas, Tremon Smith
Analysis: Cornerback was the Texans’ strongest unit last season, and their top three guys — Stingley, Nelson and King — are all under contract.
This position should be the least of the Texans concerns among the defensive positions in free agency.
Special teams
Players under contract: K Ka’imi Fairbairn ($5.6 million), P Cameron Johnston ($3.4 million), LS Jon Weeks ($1.09 million)
Unrestricted free agents: None.
Free agents to consider:
None.
Analysis: One of the Texans first re-signings was getting a deal done with Weeks, the longest-tenured player in franchise history. All three of these players on this list had great years in 2022. Fairbairn had the best season of his career in 2022, nailing 29 of 31 field goals and all 24 of his extra points. Johnston was good too, averaging 48.1 yards per punt, and putting 37 punts inside the 20.
At times last season, special teams was the only watchable unit.
There’s no reason to make any adjustments.