Top 53 Texans Free Agent Targets

Here are 53 names to pay attention to as free agency draws near.

The Houston Texans have a lot of holes to fill on this team, and they will turn to free agency to do that for some of them.

Here is my list of the top 53 free agents I would like the Texans to target. This does not include free agents who were Texans in 2023. It also isn’t the 53 best, just the ones I would like the Texans to consider. Are there more? Certainly. Most of these players are immediate starters for the Texans, but some could be key backups.

You will not find any quarterbacks, offensive linemen, or special teamers. I do not believe the Texans should prioritize those positions in free agency (and I hope they bring back Kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn and punter Cam Johnston).

The players are not in any particular order within their positions.

Here’s the list of 53.

Running Backs (9)

Derrick Henry

D'Andre Swift

Tony Pollard

Saquon Barkley

Gus Edwards

Josh Jacobs

Zack Moss

Austin Ekeler

Antonio Gibson

Some of these replace the need for Devin Singletary to return and some of these I wouldn’t sign without a good running partner in the room.

Wide Receivers (10)

Mike Evans

Michael Pittman

Calvin Ridley

Gabe Davis

Tee Higgins

Curtis Samuel

Josh Reynolds

Hollywood Brown

Darnell Mooney

Cedrick Wilson

There is a WIDE range of talent here. The Texans could add a star to go with Nico Collins and Tank Dell or a piece that fits behind them in the pecking order. I know the Texans need to add some wideout talent to the room.

Tight Ends (4)

Hunter Henry

Noah Fant

Gerald Everett

Mike Gesicki

I strongly believe this team should bring back Dalton Schultz. If Schultz isn’t back, then Hunter Henry is my preference. The other three are worth considering though.

Defensive Ends/Edge (7)

Brian Burns

Chase Young

Josh Allen

Jadeveon Clowney

Danielle Hunter

Za'Darius Smith

Bryce Huff

There are varying levels of cost and talent and fit within this list. I trust DeMeco Ryans to make just about anybody fit on his defense, so I don’t worry too much about that. The 49ers had a solid defensive line and then invested some more. I expect Ryans will not stop investing in his defensive line anytime soon. Some of these names are immediately eliminated if the team brings back Jonathan Greenard.

Defensive Tackles (8)

Chris Jones

Justin Madubuike

Leonard Williams

D.J. Reader

Javon Kinlaw

Christian Wilkins

Fletcher Cox

Grover Stewart

This is another group with a lot of options and plenty of tax brackets to wade through. Chris Jones would be a wonderful addition, but so would so many other players on this list.

Linebackers (6)

Patrick Queen

Devin White

Frankie Luvu

Josey Jewell

Azeez Al-Shaair

Jordyn Brooks

Finding someone that fits with Christian Harris is a goal this offseason. Some of these players are in their prime and some are on the down slope, but it’s worth checking in on these names.

Cornerbacks (5)

L'Jarius Sneed

Jaylon Johnson

Kendall Fuller

Stephon Gilmore

Chidobe Awuzie

The team won’t need to go this route if they bring back Steven Nelson. If Nelson is playing elsewhere, I like a veteran opposite Derek Stingley. Again, lots of options for the team to pick from in this category.

Safeties (4)

Antoine Winfield Jr.

Kamren Curl

Geno Stone

Kyle Dugger

I do believe Jimmie Ward and Jalent Pitre are slated to start. If the Texans wanted to strengthen the position while making one of them a depth piece, I would look at these names. Dugger is a bit more of a hybrid than a true safety.

As news pops up about some of these targets, or they come off the market before free agency I will attempt to replace them. Feel free to always check back on this list.