Another interesting period of free agency is officially in the books and the Houston Texans have made multiple moves in preparation for the upcoming 2024 season. 

The team locked some names down before free agency officially began Wednesday before they agreed to terms with defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi on Sunday.

With the dust settled, here's a look into what to know about each position group on the roster and what to expect.

Quarterback (4)

Presumed starter(s): C.J. Stroud
Backup(s): Case Keenum, Davis Mills, Tim Boyle

How we got here: There's not much to see here. The Texans hit an absolute home run when they selected gifted pocket passer C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and he's on an upward trajectory after he completed 63.9% of his passes for 4,108 yards with 23 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.

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Running back (4)

Presumed starter(s): Joe Mixon
Backup(s): Gerrid Doaks, Dameon Pierce, J.J. Taylor

How we got here: Joe Mixon comes off of a 1,000-rushing-yard season in his seventh year in the NFL, looking to carry over that same type of pop into the Texans ground game.

Mixon can do it all, presenting not only a solid option in the run game, but also a target in the backfield for Stroud. The 2021 Pro Bowl selection was top five for rushing attempts, top eight in ground yardage, and top 11 in rushing scores with nine touchdowns for the 2023 season.

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Fullback (2)

Presumed starter(s): Troy Hairston
Backup(s): Andrew Beck

How we got here: The Texans maintain two fullbacks on the roster between Troy Hairston and Andrew Beck.

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Wide receiver (9)

Presumed starter(s): Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Noah Brown
Backup(s): Alex Bachman, Xavier Hutchinson, Johnny Johnson III, John Metchie III, Steven Sims, Jared Wayne, Robert Woods

How we got here: Tank Dell, Nico Collins and Robert Woods headlined this group last year, and there's still high upside for players like Dell and Collins in 2024. But Brown, who the Texans re-signed to a second consecutive one-year deal, showed he could be a solid option at the No. 3 spot when he had to step up when injuries affected the team.

Brown himself missed 7 games due to injury in 2023, though.

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Tight end (4)

Presumed starter(s): Dalton Schultz
Backup(s): Brevin Jordan, Dalton Keene, Teagan Quitoriano, Eric Saubert

How we got here: Dalton Schultz is staying in Houston. The Texans secured him with a three-year contract worth $36 million earlier this month, ensuring he'll remain a steady target for the star quarterback Stroud.

Schultz made a notable impact on offense in his first year with the team, third among all Texans players in receiving yards (635) and touchdowns (5).

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Offensive line (13)

Presumed starter(s): Laremy Tunsil (LT), Kenyon Green (LG), Juice Scruggs (C), Shaq Mason (RG), Tytus Howard (RT), Killian Zierer (OT)

Backup(s): Michael Deiter (C), Kendrick Green (C), Jarrett Patterson (C), Scott Quessenberry (C), Nick Broeker (G), Dieter Eiselen,  Charlie Heck (OT),  Josh Jones (OT), DJ Scaife Jr. (OT), Jaylon Thomas (OT)

How we got here: Sharpe marks the team's lone acquisition free agent offensive line addition coming over from the Panthers. He provide depth behind starters Laremy Tunsil and Kilian Zierer.

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Defensive line (12)

Presumed starter(s): Will Anderson Jr. (DE), Danielle Hunter (DE), Folorunso Fatukasi (DT)

Backup(s): Denico Autry (DT), Myjai Sanders (DE), Ali Gaye (DE), Dylan Horton (DE), McTelvin Agim (DT), Khalil Davis (DT), Kurt Hinish (DT), Mario Edwards Jr. (DE), Marcus Haynes (DE)

How we got here: The Texans set a new franchise record for sacks with a total of 46 in 2023 and will look to surpass that as they've put themselves in a solid position to do just that by adding four-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter in free agency.

Hunter, who registered 16 sacks in Minnesota last season, will join Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. That's quite the duo.

Former Tennessee Titans defensive end Denico Autry will remain in the division after the Texans also added him in free agency. He comes off a career-high in sacks (11.5) with 12 tackles for loss.

Ex-Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi adds depth and should boost the run defense on a risk-free, one-year deal. Mario Edwards Jr. will provide another depth piece with 21.5 career sacks and 28 tackles for loss.

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Linebacker (5)

Presumed starter(s): Azeez Al-Shaair, Christian Harris, Henry To'o To'o

Backup(s): Jake Hansen, Del-Shawn Phillips

How we got here: Autry isn't the only former Titans player the Texans managed to snag amid the frenzy. Azeez Al-Shaair projects as an instant starter for the Texans after he finished the season with 163 tackles, good for the fifth-highest total in the league.

Al-Shaiir bears strong connection to DeMeco Ryans as Ryans served as the linebackers coach (2019-2020) and defensive coordinator (2021-2022) for the 49ers.

 

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Cornerback (7)

Presumed starter(s): Derek Stingley Jr., Jeff Okudah
Backup(s): Kris Boyd, Desmond King II, Mike Ford, Troy Pride Jr., D'Angelo Ross

How we got here: The Texans gained a potential stable, reliable starter in Jeff Okudah via the Falcons, and despite some setbacks that have put a small strain on his career, there's a reason he was a No. 3 overall pick. 

Okudah has had his moments within 31 career starts, but lost the starting gig in Week 13 with the Falcons after allowing a generous passer rating of 93.9.

He'll look to bounce back and add what the Texans need in a sometimes weak secondary. The Texans brought on another cornerback in Lonnie Johnson Jr., but don't expect to see him out there deflecting passes. This is more of a special teams move than anything else after Johnson saw action in 76% of the Saints' special team snaps, with 15% of those on defense.

The Texans also retain Desmond King, who showcased his versatility last season and presented himself as a potential starter in the slot in the place of an injured Tavierre Thomas.

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Safety (6)

Presumed starter(s): Jimmie Ward, Jalen Pitre
Backup(s):  Brandon Hill, Eric Murray, M.J. Stewart, Josh Thompson

How we got here: Jimmie Ward and Jalen Pitre continue to lead the room here. Pitre finished out the 2023 season with 84 combined tackles (58 solo), 5 passes deflected, 1 forced fumble, and one fumble recovery, coming back into the starting lineup after being benched temporarily in late December. 

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Specialists (4)

Presumed starter(s): Ka'imi Fairbairn (PK), Tommy Townsend (P), Jon Weeks (LS)
Backup(s): 

How we got here: The Texans keep Fairbairn in the fold with a three-year, $15.9 million deal. He was ace in 2023 for Houston, missing just one field goal attempt of 28 attempts in the regular season.

They also now have former Kansas City Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend on the roster, replacing Cameron Johnston.

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Where do things go from here?

Rostered players: 73
Spots available: 17

The Texans had some notable offseason losses, including edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, linebacker Blake Cashman and running back Devin Singletary.

But they filled some voids with Hunter and Autry both juicing up the pass rush, while adding or holding onto what could prove to be some very important figures on both sides of the ball.

Looking at free agency as a whole, it is safe to say the Texans had one of the best in the league. Throughout the rest of the offseason and in the 2024 NFL draft, expect the Texans to make moves to continue to put themselves in the most prime position to maximize the Stroud era, with wide receiver expected to be a point of emphasis.