**A Perfect Texans Move to Complete the Roster Before 2024 Training Camp**
Would signing a free-agent safety elevate the Texans’ already improved defense?
The Houston Texans, with moderate salary cap space, could significantly boost their roster by signing free-agent safety Justin Simmons before the 2024 training camp. Despite an average standing in salary cap space, this addition could propel the Texans into contention with top-tier teams like Kansas City and San Francisco.
Acquiring Justin Simmons would address a critical need for the Texans, who are currently lacking strength at the safety position. Simmons, a 6-2, 202-pounder drafted in 2016, has been a consistent performer, earning All-Pro honors in four of the last five seasons and making two Pro Bowl appearances.
Why is Justin Simmons a great fit for the Texans?
His character sets him apart. Besides being a perennial star, Simmons has been nominated three times for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, highlighting his community involvement and leadership. His presence could provide valuable guidance for younger players like C.J. Stroud and Tank Dell, helping them handle success maturely.
On the field, Simmons is a durable player. He started all 105 games over the last seven years in Denver and played more than 3,200 consecutive snaps from 2018 to early 2021. His performance remained steady, with at least three interceptions in each of the last six seasons, making him a unique asset in the NFL.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans emphasized the importance of improving the safety position for a successful season. He highlighted the need for consistency and health at safety, noting that injuries forced them to rely on backup players in critical games last season.
A Houston weakness could become a strength
The Texans struggled to defend against the pass in 2023, allowing an average of 234.1 passing yards per game, the 10th most in the NFL. This poor performance was partly due to below-average play from the safety position. Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward are expected to start, but their reliability is questionable. Pitre’s performance declined from his rookie season, and Ward missed 10 games due to a quadricep injury.
Simmons, coming off his fourth All-Pro season, recorded 70 tackles and three interceptions in 15 games. The only potential downside to signing Simmons is the financial cost, but his impact on the team could outweigh this concern.
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