While some have mentioned an offensive lineman, the Houston Texans’ top cut candidate resides on defense.
The Houston Texans must create more salary cap space this offseason if they plan on being a prime player in free agency.
General manager Nick Caserio is currently scheduled to possess a deficit in ‘effective cap space,’ according to OverTheCap.
It’s precisely why OTC releases its annual list compiling 100 potential cut candidates around the league to provide better insight on which players would actually help the cap rather than hurt it in the short term.
While OTC acknowledged that most players listed won’t be outright released, defensive tackle Denico Autry was the lone name on the list mentioned for a potential cut after an underwhelming first season in Houston.
Autry, who inked a two-year, $20 million deal last offseason, started on a low note by being suspended for the first game for violating the NFL’s policy against performance-enhancing substances.
The 34-year-old said in a statement the violation was due to his doctors submitting a prescription for a different medication that contained a banned substance. He said he did not intentionally violate the league’s policy but accepts the punishment.
Once he returned in Week 7, Autry became a rotational option, playing less than 65% of snaps in every game besides Week 10’s loss to the Detroit Lions. He finished with 13 total tackles, three sacks and two tackles for loss in 10 games.
If the Texans were to outright release, they would save $9 million in cap space. That alone would bring Houston up to $19 million in space for the 2025 offseason.
Atury might be the top-cut candidate this offseason, but he’s not the only one. Offensive lineman Shaq Mason, tight end Dalton Schultz, offensive tackle Tytus Howard, defensive tackle Tim Settle, defensive back Jimmie Ward and several others also could be on the block, though Houston would gain little in a net return against the cap until after the 2025 season.
In the latest mock draft by Pro Football Focus, the Houston Texans shore up both lines and add another weapon for C.J. Stroud.
While the Houston Texans are looking toward the AFC playoffs, the team’s scouting department is starting to formulate an idea on what direction to look in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Defensive tackle remains a dire need. So does the interior offensive line. And after losing Tank Dell for most —if not all — of the 2025 season, wide receiver has moved up the pecking order in Nick Caserio’s to-do list.
The good news?Pro Football Focus has Houston targeting all three positions with its first three picks. At pick No. 23, the Texans bolster their defensive line by targeting All-Big Ten defensive tackle Kenneth Grant from Michigan.
#Michigan iDL Kenneth Grant has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. His final game was arguably the best of his career. Lots of potential with this prospect. pic.twitter.com/QAjNCn8y2H
The Texans are really strong at edge defenders, as Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter give them one of the top pass-rushing duos in the NFL. Adding to their defensive interior would be wise though, and if Grant is still on the board when they make their selection, he would make a lot of sense.
At pick No. 55, the Texans improve their pass protection with an anchor at guard in Georgia’s Tate Ratledge.
Ratledge has been one of the best pass-blocking guards in all of college football throughout his time at Georgia, earning an 80.0-plus PFF pass-blocking grade in each of the past three seasons, and allowing just 13 total pressures from 1,016 pass-blocking snaps since 2021.
In Round 3, Houston swipes perhaps the most underrated receiver prospect in the draft with the selection of Colorado State’s Tory Horton at pick No. 87. The two-time All-Mountain West was coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Rams before suffering a season-ending knee injury against San Jose State.
The Texans offense suffered when Tank Dell got hurt in 2023, and when Nico Collins got hurt this year, so investing a top-100 draft pick on a wide receiver would make a lot of sense. Horton has averaged over 2.70 yards per route run in each of the past three seasons.
Nick Caserio didn’t hold back in breaking down the poor portrayal made by the NFL against Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair amid suspension.
On Monday, Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans went to bat for linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair amid a suspension in the works.
A day later, it was Nick Caserio’s turn to call out the NFL.
Caserio, along with multiple members of the organization, took exception with the league’s characterization of Al-Shaair following his three-game suspension. With owners in attendance, Caserio ripped the NFL for its choice wording and description of Al-Shaair in the letter laying out the sixth-year linebacker’s suspension.
“Nobody embodies our program more than Azeez,” Caserio said. “What he’s about, what he’s been through. There’s not a more selfless individual more about the team, who has earned the respect, that represents everything we want this program to be about.
“We’re talking about some of the commentary that has been made about his character, about the person that he is, about what his intentions are, from people who, quite frankly, don’t know anything about Azeez Al-Shaair.”
Caserio also called out the league office for its lack of consistency regarding suspension lengths, pointing to other instances around the league where players have received underwhelming punishments for similar hits on players.
Texans GM Nick Caserio on LB Azeez Al-Shaair’s suspension.
“For the league to make some of the commentary that they made about lack of sportsmanship, lack of coachability, lack of paying attention to the rules, quite frankly, it’s embarrassing,” Caserio said. “So I think the big thing from our perspective — talk about a player who’s never been suspended, never been ejected. So now we’re saying that he’s going to be suspended for three games. Look, it is what it is. I think the big thing from our standpoint — and all teams want this — is just some level of consistency.”
This is a Nick Caserio we haven’t seen. He is HEATED right now. WOW.
Caserio, who’s set to close on his fourth season as the Texans’ GM, said they spoke to the league office and still feel as if there’s not a good explanation for the punishment. Al-Shaair, who can’t return until the Week 18 season finale, plans to appeal the ruling in hopes of limiting the suspension to either one or two games.
While Caserio defended his player, he also hoped that Lawrence continued to get healthy following a hit that left him unconscious and forced him into the concussion protocol.
“The most important thing is the health and safety of our players and I would say the health and well-being of Trevor,” Caserio said. “Hopefully Trevor is going to be okay.”
Much like Ryans, Caserio made sure to let the NFL know where he stands.
“Where we take umbrage is the picture that has been painted about Azeez, his intentions, who he is as a person,” Caserio said. “Quite frankly, it’s bulls—, and it’s unfair to the individual, it’s unfair to the organization. We love everything about Azeez Al-Shaair and everything he brings to this team.”
Caserio fired up, calling the portrayal of Al-Shaair’s character ‘bull—-.’ https://t.co/fx7BV0B7DQ
Houston Texans rookie safety Calen Bullock recorded his third interception of his rookie season to get the ball back to his offense
Green Bay Packers Xavier McKinney leads the NFL interceptions with five picks.
Houston Texans rookie safety Calen Bullock is close behind at halftime after securing his third interception of the season just before the end of the first half of Week 7’s matchup at Lambeau Field.
Bullock picked off Packers quarterback Jordan Love on their first offensive snap with three minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Houston’s offense has struggled to move the ball on offense but has used its two previous takeaways to score 10 points. Bullock, who also picked off New England Patriots passer Drake Maye last week, is one of five players with three or more interceptions entering Sunday.
The USC product has seen a steady increase in playing time throughout the early part of his rookie season. He got his first start as a result of veteran Jimmie Ward missing a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Bullock was a third-round pick in April’s NFL Draft. Texans general manager Nick Caserio has had plenty of success in the third round, including Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Christian Harris.
Internally, Houston also has promoted DJ Debick to director of pro scouting as the replacement for the director of pro scouting Ronnie McGill, who wasn’t expected to return following the 2023 season.
#Texans hire ex-Patriots exec Steve Cargile as senior personnel executive-assistant director of pro scouting, promote DJ Debick to director of pro scouting @KPRC2https://t.co/MpLHMUQkIj
Cargile played 16 games in the NFL at safety between five teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, and Cleveland Browns after going undrafted out of Columbia. He spent time under Caserio and Bill Belichick in New England before a position shift this offseason with the latter’s departure.
Debick, a fellow John Carroll alum like Caserio, first met the Texans general manager when hired as a scouting assistant in 2016 in New England. He was promoted to area scout in 2018 and followed Caserio to Houston in 2022.
Prior to his promotion, Debick served as the Texans’ assistant director of pro scouting.
The Texans return to NRG Stadium for the start of NFL training camp on July 18.
Thompson, who spent the past three seasons as the Houston Texans director of team development, has been hired by the Washington Commanders for a similar role, according to KPRC2 Sports Aaron Wilson.
Thompson has been regarded for his work ethic, passion and attentiveness with players since being hired by Houston. The South Carolina native was influential in Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud’s progression and maturation from rookie to rising star.
“Dylan is one of the best human beings that I’ve ever met in my life,” Stroud said of Thompson earlier this offseason. “There’s a ton of people, great people in this organization, but DT has been the main person.
“You talk about a brother like to somebody who loves you no matter what happens on that field, you can feel that. I just appreciate that and now he’s going to be mad at me, but, man, he’s a great person, and really one of the reasons why I feel like we were very successful this year.”
Thompson, 32, joined the Texans in 2021 under then-executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby. He was known for developing player’s characteristics as they transitioned from college to the pros.
Before joining the Texans, Thompson served as the director of player development at Charleston Southern following stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams.
A two-year starter at South Carolina, Thompson led the SEC with 3,574 passing yards, and totaled 26 touchdowns in his senior season. For his career, he threw for 5,401 yards, 40 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
“There is no Will Anderson without Dylan Thompson”
Listen to Will Anderson discuss how director of team development Dylan Thompson, who is now leaving for the Washington Commanders, elevated C.J. Stroud, Tank Dell and the entire 2023 rookie class off the field #HTownMadepic.twitter.com/y5Ki4RUGI4
With the arrival of Stefon Diggs, one of the Houston Texans receivers could be looking for a new home in 2024.
The Houston Texans have ample mouths to feed in the passing game next season as C.J. Stroud looks to go from stellar rookie to perennial MVP.
In fact, there might be too many targets for his disposal, meaning a player or two could be on the market as a trade candidate before the season begins.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio recently appeared on Fanduel’s Up and Adams podcast to discuss the recent offseason moves, including the acquisition of Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs. With his arrival, one receiver will move down the pecking order and could see their reps diminish.
To avoid those concerns, Caserio mentioned that a potential shake-up to the receiver room would likely come before Week 1 arrives.
“That room is going to be really competitive,” Caserio We’re probably going to have to move on from some players who are going to be playing other places, but we’ll try to keep as many good players as we can here.”
The Texans wanted to add ample firepower to their seventh-ranked passing attack this offseason while Stroud is still on his rookie contract. When broken down, Houston realistically traded back 19 spots in the draft with the Minnesota Vikings to acquire the four-time Pro Bowler Diggs from Buffalo.
Right now, Diggs will only be a Texan for one season. Houston voided the final three years of his current contract and added $3.5 million to his annual salary. Last month, the Texans ended all “WR No. 1” conversations by extending Nico Collins on a three-year deal.
Diggs, who leads the NFL in receptions since 2020 (445), joins a loaded receiving room headlined by Collins, Tank Dell, John Metchie III, Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson and Noah Brown. The Texans also brought back Dalton Schultz on a three-year deal and drafted Ohio State standout Cade Stover in Round 4.
To add more fuel to the firey offense, Houston traded for Pro Bowler Joe Mixon from Cincinnati at the start of free agency and still has tight end Brevin Jordan, fullback Andrew Beck and running back Dameon Pierce as part of the passing game.
“Philosophically, what DeMeco and I have tried to do is build as competitive and deep a roster as possible,” Caserio said. “We understand there are going to be challenges we face during the course of a season. This league is so competitive … but our job is to try to build as good a team as we possibly can—give ourselves an opportunity to compete against a lot of good teams, lot of good coaches.”
Diggs, Schultz, Mixon and Collins won’t be going anywhere given their contracts. Stover was drafted last month and Dell, who is coming off a season-ending leg injury, was on pace for 1,000 yards last season as Stroud’s No. 2 target.
Metchie, Brown and Woods feel like the clear cut candidates entering training camp. Metchie, the 2022 second-round pick out of Alabama, missed all of his rookie season after being diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia, a rare but treatable form of cancer.
Last season was Mecthie’s true first year in the pros, so Caserio might be hesitant to pull the plug on a player with upside, especially after his performance in the wild-card round victory over Cleveland.
Brown inked a one-year deal to return this offseason, so it feels he could have an advantage given his guaranteed contract situation. Woods, who signed a two-year deal last offseason, might be an ideal trade candidate as a WR No. 3 for any team in the market for a proven target.
Caserio didn’t lean one way when talking cuts, so it’s best not to assume which player is on the block. Expect all three players to be under watch as mandatory camp begins later this week.
It’s hard to believe just 16 months ago DeMeco Ryans was hired and Texans GM Nick Caserio detailed went into the process of his hiring
Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio some gave insight into the decision to hire DeMeco Ryans as head coach ahead of Year 2.
Caserio, who appeared on FanDuel’s Up & Adams earlier this week, played a role in securing talent to build off three failed seasons in Houston that ended with coaches being shown the door.
Ryans, a former second-round pick and Pro Bowl linebacker for the AFC South franchise, served as the architect when placing the pieces in the correct order to win a division title for the time in four years.
“I can’t say enough great things about him,” Caserio said. “He’s one of the best coaches in the league, and we’re very fortunate to have, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work with him every day.”
Houston finished 10-7 and won the AFC South crown, making Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud the fifth rookie head coach and quarterback duo to win the division. The Texans them thumped the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card round for their first playoff victory since the days of Bill O’Brien.
Anyone who predicted those results from Houston after a 3-14-1 finish must have had Doc Brown’s DeLorean or a Texans’ super fan hat on. After blowing a 24-0 lead to Patrick Mahomes on the road in Arrowhead, the Texans finished with a combined 7-26-1 leading up to 2023.
“We just needed a little bit of a jolt, and we were looking for the right person,” Caserio said. “Football, in the end, is a people business, and we can talk about schemes, but you need somebody that can galvanize an entire group of people.”
Ryans previously spent six seasons in San Francisco, including his final two seasons when he served as defensive coordinator. The 49ers defense was in the top 10 in points allowed both years under Ryans, peaking as the lowest-scoring defense in 2022.
“When you look at players’ performance in San Francisco, I would say he had a huge hand in developing Fred (Warner), Dre (Greenlaw) and Azeez (Al-Shaair),” Caserio said. “When you look at how his defenses played in San Francisco, they played with energy and fast and ferociously.”
While most NFL franchises were hiring offensive-minded coaches, Caserio took a different approach after firing Lovie Smith, though Ryans’ past times with the organization didn’t factor into the decision.
“DeMeco and I really didn’t know each other besides knowing of each other. He’s such a great human being,” Caserio said. “He’s a great person and very genuine and sincere, and he is who he is. His energy and juice are on a consistent basis.”
A change of energy emmerged when Ryans arrived back to NRG Stadium for the first time since 2012. Fans got their wish as the inngural defensive standout signed on the dotted line to coach for the team that drafted him in 2006.
Waiting for DeMeco Ryan’s press conference to start.
During Ryans’ six-year stint in Houston, he was a first-team All-Pro linebacker (2007) and two-time Pro Bowler. He spent three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring in 2015, but immedietly transitioned into coach the following offseason.
“When you can put yourself in the player’s shoes when you’re talking to the team and understanding that they’re looking at the coach and understanding he sat in that chair and has grown through some of that stuff, then it makes it easier for a player to do the things we ask of them,” Caserio said.
Ryans won the Pro Football Writers of America’s Coach of the Year and finished one first-place vote behind Cleveland’s Kevin Stefanski for the honor of the Associated Press’ honors.
Caserio took a plenty of heat for firing coaches after hiring one-and-done coaching staffs in back-to-back years. National media outlets pointed to the Texans’ record with Caserio as GM, and if Ryans had not produced the way he did in year one, itmight have led to Caserio’s time ending in Houston.
Caserio admitted to learning from his mistakes. Smith’s firing was a wake-up call that change was needed in his approach to hiring coaches.
That led to arrival of Ryans. So far, it’s been the right move.
“You try to learn the best you can on a year-to-year basis,” Caserio said. “You have to make difficult decisions, but ultimately try to do what’s best for the organization as a whole.”
Former New England Patriots running back Shane Vereen is headed to join the Houston Texans….in the scouting department.
A former New England Patriots running back is headed to the Houston Texans. No, it’s a rewind to the 2021 season when Rex Burkhead hopped on a plane to NRG Stadium.
The Texans are hiring former Patriots standout Shane Vereen as a player personnel assistant, according to KPRC2 Sports Aaron Wilson. Vereen previously worked as a college football analyst for Pac-12 Network and FOX Sports.
A standout runner from Cal drafted in the second round in 2011, Vereen spent seven seasons in the pros before retiring in 2018. During his time with the Patriots and Giants, he rushed for 1,489 yards and eight touchdowns. Vereen also caught 221 passes for 1,864 yards and 11 scores.
Most used as a secondary runner, Vereen made waves during New England’s Super Bowl appearance in 2015 against the Seahawks. In Glendale, he caught a team-high 11 passes for 64 yards en route to a 28-24 win.
Texans fans likely remember Vereen best for his performance in the 2012 divisional round playoff win, where he posted a career-high three touchdowns on five catches and seven rush attempts for 114 yards of offense.
General manager Nick Caserio knows Vereen well from his time in the Patriots’ player personnel department under Bill Belichick. Now, Vereen gets to reunite with one of the people who believed in him coming out of the then-Pac-10 in the pros.
In a recent article Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay mocked the Texans acquiring Marshon Lattimore, but is it a move they should consider?
The Houston Texans have been one of the league’s more active teams this offseason as they prepare to build off last year’s surprise playoff run.
Even after landing Georgia’s Kamari Lassiter with its first selection in last month’s draft, cornerback remains a position of need. And with the Texans following the “all-in” persona, perhaps they’re willing to part with another mid-round pick for a high-profile prospect.
In the latest article Bleacher Report, Alex Kay positioned a trade that would send four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore to Houston in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick.
Lattimore, 27, could come with a lower trade value since the Saints are up against the salary cap. New Orleans will be a league-high $72.8 million over the cap in 2025 due to its refusal to rebuild since the retirement of future Hall of Fame quarterbak Drew Brees.
The Saints have been in a comparable spot for years but always got under the salary threshold by trading some of their highest earners and Lattimore fits the description. He’s slated to make $14.6 million in 2024 before the per-year price jumps to $31.4 million in 2025 and $28.6 million in the final year of the deal.
Moving on from Lattimore seems more reasonable after the New Oreleans selection of Kool-Aid McKinstry in Round 2. The Alabama product has the tools to be a day-one starter, making Lattimore flexible to ship elsewhere.
Houston continues to be in the market for veteran talent as it tries to put together a deep playoff run while franchise quarterback C.J. Stroud remains on his rookie contract.
Below is why the Texans should and should not trade for Lattimore.
Why The Texans Should Make A Trade
Since being selected with the 11th pick in the 2017 draft, Lattimore has been one of the league’s best defensive backs. In seven seasons, he’s had 15 interceptions along with 86 defelcted passes and two defensive touchdowns.
Houston has spent the offseason throwing several darts at the position, hoping one sticks opposite of Derek Stingley Jr. During free agency, the
Texans took chances on one-year deals with former first-round picks Jeff Okudah and CJ Henderson. In the draft, they took Lassiter, who has experience both in the slot and on the boundary.
Lattimore would immedietly start opposite the third-year Stingley while Lassiter settled into the NFL. Lassiter likely would compete with veteran Desmond King for first-team reps at the nickel.
Houston’s already made multiple win-now moves throughout the offseason as it prepares for a first-place schedule after winning the AFC South. Next season, the Texans face seven teams ranked in the top 10 for passing yards from a year ago.
And keep in mind that the Bears just added No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and the Jets welcome back Aaron Rodgers in their hunt for a postseason berth.
While the Texans had an above-average defensive unit a year ago, their pass coverage numbers were underwhelming. Opponents averaged the sixth-highest (6.5) net yards gained per pass attempt against Houston’s secondary last season. Houston’s upgraded its pass rush, but adding Lattimore would take the defense from the middle of the pack to the upper echelon.
Lattimore might be a veteran, but he’s still in his prime entering Year 8. His addition would bring a veteran presence to a young but prosperous defensive back room.
Why The Texans Should Not Make A Trade
Despite still having $23 million in 2024 cap space and a projected $46 million next offseason, Houston needs to plan beyond this fall when discussing extensions to players who prospered a season ago.
Nico Collins is in the last year of his deals and will command a significant pay raise. So will Stefon Diggs, whom Houston traded a 2025 second-round pick for to Buffalo earlier this offseason. Even after voiding the final three years of his contract, the four-time Pro Bowl target remains in talks toward a new deal.
Christian Harris, Denico Autry and Jalen Pitre will be free agents entering 2026. So could Stingely and fellow former first-round pick Kenyon Green if GM Nick Caserio elects to pass on picking up their fifth-year options.
In 2026, four of Houston’s anticipated offensive line starters, including All-Pro Laremy Tunsil, will hit the market.
Reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. and Stroud’s second contracts will likely be near the top of their position group if they continue their trajectory toward stardom.
More to the point, acquiring Lattimore is an immediate splash move, but it also impairs Houston’s spending limits in the future.
Injuries have also limited Lattimore to playing in half of the Saints’ games the past two seasons, making him a risky option with a significant hit against his team’s salary cap.
The same injuries have hurt Lattimore’s versatility in coverage. When Lattimore has been in coverage the past two seasons, the opposing receiver’s average yards per reception is 11.3, the lowest mark of his career.
New Orleans is no longer asking Lattimore to carry receivers downfield. Instead, it’s transitioned him to playing more underneath coverage. It’s hard to imagine the Texans wanting to bring in an oft-injured, expensive, scheme-dependent cornerback rather than find a cheap stop plug.
Caserio has also done well in this area in recent years, gaining quality play from veteran options such as King and Steven Nelson, who could return on another short-term deal.
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