The Texans ought to focus on three guys in free agency.
The Houston Texans have more players eligible for free agency than any other team this summer. Thank goodness for general manager Nick Caserio and coach DeMeco Ryans, Houston has almost $65 million in cap space, ranking seventh among all teams.
The Texans will need to re-sign a few of their own players, but they also have space to add a few free agents of their own. They had a solid foundation that starts with C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. on each side of the ball, and they finished 10-7 the previous season. A few unsigned players who can support their charity are as follows:
Saquon Barkley, RB
In 2023, the Texans were among the NFL’s weakest running teams. They ranked 28th in terms of running yards per game (92.7) and 29th in terms of yards per rush (3.7). After averaging 4.3 yards per rush in his rookie campaign, running back Dameon Pierce averaged 2.9 yards this season, which caused Houston to bench him in favor of Devin Singletary. This season, the former Buffalo Bills running back averaged 4.2 yards per carry and finished with 898 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Although Singletary contributed significantly to the Texans’ offense in the latter stages of the season, he lacks Saquon Barkley’s ability to break games. Despite a disappointing season with the injury-plagued New York Giants offense, the 26-year-old nevertheless managed 1,242 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns.
A running back of Barkley’s quality might want—and get—a large deal because they don’t last long. He would relieve some of Stroud’s pressure and be a huge upgrade for the Texans, but he would come with a risk because of the position’s sharp drop. Houston was also given the second-best odds (+230) by DraftKings to sign Barkley, only behind the Giants.
Cutting Edge Danielle Hunter
What Houston does with Jonathan Greenard, a prospective free agent, will determine this course of action. Last season, the defensive end for the Texans recorded a career-high and team-best 12.5 sacks. In Week 1 of the following season, he will turn 27. He probably wants a large contract this offseason.
Danielle Hunter, an edge rusher for the Minnesota Vikings, will also. The 29-year-old finished the 2017 season with the fifth-most forced fumbles and sacks (16.5 total) in the NFL. For opposing offenses, having Anderson Jr. and Hunter on opposite sides of the defensive line would be intimidating. Since 2018, Hunter has averaged.85 sacks in 73 games, higher than only T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett. Josh Allen, an edge rusher for the Jaguars, would also be a good fit.
T/G Mike Owens
Mike Owenu, an offensive tackle and guard for the New England Patriots, will be among the most sought-after linemen available in the free agent market this offseason. Although he has spent the majority of his career playing guard, he shown his versatility by playing tackle in the second half of the 2023 campaign.
When Owenu was selected by New England in the sixth round of the 2020 draft, Caserio served as the team’s director of player personnel. Because of this familiarity and possible openings at right tackle and left guard, the versatile lineman is someone the Texans should watch closely.
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