The Houston Texans have been active during free agency this spring.
Between the trades, the players they signed and the players they let walk, Houston should have a very different team in 2024. That’s a good thing. While the Texans outperformed expectations in 2023 when they won the AFC South and beat the Cleveland Browns in the wild card round, this team had issues throughout the roster that needed to either be resolved or upgraded in free agency. And we’re not even at the draft yet — which is another area the Texans could make waves.
Not every move general manager Nick Caserio made so far could work, though. So after the first full week of free agency, the Texans Wire staff made its picks for its favorite and least favorite moves of the offseason … so far.
Favorite move: Signing LB Azeez Al-Shaair
Al-Shaair could be DeMeco Ryans’ Fred Warner in Houston. The Texans need a centerpiece in the middle of their defense Al-Shaair is a quality linebacker with experience in the system Ryans runs in Houston. The price was better for Al-Shaair that some of the other linebacker options in free agency, too.
Least favorite move: Letting Sheldon Rankins walk
The Cincinnati Bengals outbid the Texans for Rankins’ services, but Caserio left a huge hole in the middle of the defense line by not trying to keep their starting defensive tackle. The trade of Maliek Collins made sense when it came to saving cap space and possibly acquiring Arik Armstead, but now the Texans have a major need in the interior of their defensive line they’ll have to correct in the draft.
Favorite move: Signing DE Danielle Hunter
The Houston Texans needed to add a premier defensive player during this period and they did just that by signing Danielle Hunter to rash the passer alongside Will Anderson. He brings a dynamic edge rusher to the Texans that is generally not available during the free agent period.
Least favorite move: Trading out of No. 23
The Texans were perfectly positioned to draft one of the premier cornerbacks or defensive linemen available in this year’s draft. Trading down to No. 42 may prevent them from adding a premium piece in the draft to a roster that is otherwise ready to contend.
Favorite move: Trading for and extending RB Joe Mixon
Joe Mixon gives the Texans that similar pop to what Christian McCaffery does for the San Francisco 49ers. And since offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik runs a similar system, Mixon fits better than Devin Singletary did.
Least favorite move: Re-signing OT Charlie Heck
Heck is injury-prone. While he has the physical make-up to play the position, Heck lacks technique and gets beat a lot on the offensive line. There were other backup offensive linemen available out there better than Heck.
Favorite move: Signing CB Jeff Okudah
The former No. 3 pick is long and lengthy and fits DeMeco Ryans’ defensive vision. If Okudah can stay healthy, he could be a massive steal at $4.75 million.
Least favorite move: The Joe Mixon extension
Houston made a savy move by trading for Mixon rather than waiting for his release, setting themselves up for a compensatory pick after Mixon’s departure next season. Instead, they gave him a three-year deal worth $27 million? That $9 million per year price tag would be the seventh-highest this season. Mixon has five seasons carrying the ball over 200 times. He’s 27 years old and will be 28 when the season starts. He’ll be 31 by time the contract expires, and I’m not sure he’ll make it through the full length of the deal.
Favorite move: Trading down in the draft
The Texans get more picks in the meat of the draft to fill out the roster with talent and quality depth. Caserio showed he won’t stay in the first round just for the allure of a first-round pick, but truly stand on his values of what he thinks builds a winning roster.
Least favorite move: Trading DT Maliek Collins
This trade felt a bit undervalued. It feels like Caserio may left something on the table by not getting a little bit more for Collins. Even after understanding how things came to be.