Houston Texans’ trade for S C.J. Gardner-Johnson makes their NFL draft plans even more clear and they can’t ignore it
The Houston Texans have acquired safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and a sixth-round draft pick from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for offensive guard Kenyon Green and a fifth-round pick, per NFL insider Adam Schefter. This marks the third trade of the past week for the Texans, as they obtained wide receiver Christian Kirk from the Jacksonville Jaguars […]
The Houston Texans have acquired safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and a sixth-round draft pick from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for offensive guard Kenyon Green and a fifth-round pick, per NFL insider Adam Schefter.
This marks the third trade of the past week for the Texans, as they obtained wide receiver Christian Kirk from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2026 seventh-round pick, then traded left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders for a multi-year draft haul.
Houston has now strengthened an already solid secondary with the acquisition of Gardner-Johnson. The Texans finished with the No. 6 ranked pass defense in 2024, allowing just 201 yards per game. Their 19 intercepted passes on the season ranked second to the Minnesota Vikings.
Coming off a torn pectoral that cost him most of the 2023 season, Gardner-Johnson bounced back nicely in 2024 with Philadelphia. In 16 starts he recorded 59 total tackles, six interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 12 passes defensed, and one forced fumble.
Gardner-Johnson's prowess for making big plays will fit right in with what Houston does on defense. As fun as that is to think about, the Texans now also have a depleted offensive line. However, they won't really miss Green as he has been one of the worst guards in the league over the past couple of years. He started nine games for Houston last season.
With the moves that the Texans have made thus far, it is clear that they will draft offensive line heavy next month. They have a new offensive line coach in Cole Popovich, who finds himself needing multiple new starters. Houston has four picks in the top-100 of this year's draft, and it's very possible that it could use at least two of those on offensive linemen.
Houston Texans make a pair of smart moves to clear salary cap space just days before the start of NFL free agency
They’re getting everything in order.
