Which Positions Should the Texans Prioritize in Free Agency?

Here is where the Texans should think about allocating their spending next week.

The Houston Texans have plenty of cap space, even after the team’s commitments to Dalton Schultz and Ka'imi Fairbairn.

Free agency starts next week. Here are the positions the Texans should prioritize in free agency in order.

I factored in who is on the roster, the depth of the free agent class, as well as the depth of the draft class in ranking these positions.

Running Back

This is the top free agency priority for the Houston Texans. They have only Dameon Pierce returning from the active roster. This is a weak draft when it comes to running backs. The Texans have money.

Free agency is the way to address this position.

There are so many different directions the Texans can take. Houston can invest in an expensive running back near the top of the market like Saquon Barkley or Josh Jacobs. Derrick Henry might be an option if the Texans believe he will continue to hold up. An Austin Ekeler bounce-back is even an option.

I’d look for two players here if I was the Texans and I would bring back Devin Singletary almost no matter what happens. The team has to run the football better and if they do, the offense could and should go to a whole new level in 2024.

Defensive End/Edge

There are many options at several price points when it comes to defensive linemen.

Jonathan Greenard had a career-high in sacks last season in his best season in the NFL so far. Danielle Hunter was fifth in sacks in the league this past year for the Vikings. Jadeveon Clowney and Chase Young might be the perfect one-year contracts.

I don’t believe there has to be a long-term commitment to the spot opposite Will Anderson but there needs to be something of substance for 2024. Dylan Horton’s uncertainty might mean multiple investments here for the Texans as well.

I’m not trusting a rookie to the other defensive end spot without some veteran presence behind him. There should be some spending here, and significant spending when you think about how the Texans rotate their defensive linemen at times.

Linebacker

Christian Harris needs a bash brother at linebacker. The team has only a handful of players under contract at the position, and only Harris is one I would consider a starting-caliber player.

Blake Cashman is a nice player but he can’t be the only investment. I would hope Nick Caserio could find another Denzel Perryman-esque veteran who could bounce back. There are more than a few interesting veteran names. Azeez Al-Shaair is a name to watch considering the Texans were in on him last year and DeMeco Ryans coached him in San Francisco.

There’s also a chance the Texans take a big swing at some younger talent like Patrick Queen and Devin White. They’re more expensive but also more talented. I’d opt for a pricey, but not expensive player like Frankie Luvu before I went to the top of the market. I don’t love this linebacker draft class.

Defensive Tackle

The Houston Texans will invest in the defensive line. This is a fact. DeMeco Ryans has made that abundantly clear in his conversations about the offseason and how he operates his defense.

I don’t believe Chris Jones will make it to free agency, but he’d be my top choice. Christian Wilkins from the Dolphins checks in as the top guy after Jones. That will be the top of the market but players like Sheldon Rankins, Javon Kinlaw, Grover Stewart, and Justin Jones provide interesting opportunities.

The Texans had a lot of holes to fill a year ago and opted for a veteran stopgap. I’d guess they would do the same this year in free agency with a hope for some of the impressive defensive line talent making its way to them in the draft.

Cornerback

This is a muddy position when it comes to free agency. There is a mix of experience that costs too much, youth that costs too much, experience that you can’t rely on, and youth that might not be that good.

Ultimately, the Texans will have to dip in here and likely in the draft as well. Derek Stingley is the only cornerback with significant snaps and upside on the roster. Steven Nelson is a free agent, as is Desmond King, and the Texans would do well to weigh their return versus potentially upgrading with a free agent.

I’d be surprised at any big commitment past a couple of seasons so the old and expensive crowd might be where the Texans find a starter. They could use some depth too.

I love the cornerbacks in the draft, but you can’t assume one the team loves will be there so planning for the board not shaking out your way would be a useful move.

Safety

This is likely a depth spot but there are players who could rotate with current starters Jimmie Ward and Jalen Pitre. There’s even one, Justin Simmons, who would be a smash hit and change the way the Texans could play defense.

The investment in Pitre and Ward makes depth seem like the likely option. It doesn’t have to be amazing depth either, M.J. Stewart is still on the Texans and is a solid backup. DeMeco Ryans mentioned at the scouting combine he needs to get health and consistency from this poison so he can use it more.

The safety class is middling when it comes to the draft. Depending on who you talk to there is value on day two or lottery tickets on day three.

What you don’t see here is a wide receiver. I do not believe there should be any heavy investment in the wideout spot, certainly not the third wideout. The Texans have far too many other priorities to shop and the draft is LOADED with wideouts. If the board keeps the right pass catchers from coming to the Texans, swing back around after the draft to wide receiver.

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