Grading all of the Houston Texans initial moves after the first week of NFL free agency and trades
It's official! The 2024 NFL free agency period has begun and the first week has already been a wild ride around the league. There will certainly still be plenty of news to come, but it's time we take a look at how the Texans faired through the first wave of signings and trades. The Texans […]
It's official! The 2024 NFL free agency period has begun and the first week has already been a wild ride around the league. There will certainly still be plenty of news to come, but it's time we take a look at how the Texans faired through the first wave of signings and trades.
The Texans were one of the busiest franchises in the league, re-signing talent, signing brand new players, and even pulling off multiple trades in a matter of just a few days. Let's dive in and see how general manager Nick Caserio and the Texans have graded out thus far as the first week 2024 NFL free agency is about to conclude.
Texans Acquisitions via Trade
RB, Joe Mixon, from Bengals for 7th Round Pick
The Bengals were about to just simply release Joe Mixon, but the Texans swooped in and secured a difference maker for a cheap draft pick. Then they extended him at a cheap rate given his skills (3 years, $27 million). Absolutely perfect move.
Grade: A+
2024 Pick 42 & 188, 2025 2nd Round Pick, from Vikings for 2024 Pick 23 & 232
At first glance it seems rough for the Texans because they lose their first round pick this year. However, via every pick value calculating method the Texans won this trade (in post below). Once the NFL Draft gets outside of pick 20 this year the consensus boards and values on prospects start to flatten out, meaning the drop in value from 23 and 42 isn't incredibly steep. Adding a second round pick next season on top of a favorable later round bump this season to move down 19 picks is a significant win.
Grade: B+
7th Round Pick, from 49ers for DL Maliek Collins
This was a bit of a strange move to say the least. Maliek Collins was by no means a stud, but he also wasn't a huge salary cap strain either. Strange move for a good player.
Grade: D+
Texans New Free Agency Signings
LB Azeez Al-Shaair, 3 years for $34 million
Getting a linebacker coming off a season with over 150 tackles to lead the defense is a great move. Excellent leader for the Titans a year ago. Not too expensive with his contract.
Grade: B+
EDGE Danielle Hunter, 2 years for $49 million
Signing one of the best edge rushers of the last decade to a two-year deal is a slam dunk. The team doesn't have to commit long term and gets him for significantly cheaper than Brian Burns who reset the non-Nick Bosa edge defender market this week. Huge win.
Grade: A
OT David Sharpe, 2 years
Simple offensive tackle depth move here that likely doesn't cost the team much. Neutral, necessary signing.
Grade: C
LB Del-Shawn Phillips, 1 year
A likely cheap linebacker depth signing that the team needed to bring their off-baller linebacker total to five players (as of this writing).
Grade: C
EDGE Denico Autry, 2 years for $20 million
Unbelievable value for Denico Autry. He's not a game-changing talent like Danielle Hunter, but they're paying him like isn't even a top 50 edge defender in the league. Great get to a top notch third edge rusher to rotate in with Will Anderson and Hunter.
Grade: A-
DL Foley Fatukasi, 1 year
The Texans needed to bring in some defensive tackle help after moving Maliek Collins via trade. Space eater with strength and underrated hands.
Grade: B-
CB Jeff Okudah, 1 year for $4.75 million
Jeff Okudah has been incredibly inconsistent in coverage since being selected in early round one of the NFL Draft in 2020, but getting him on a 1-year deal for pennies is a solid team-friendly value.
Grade: B-
S Lonnie Johnson Jr., 1 year for $2 million
Another team-friendly incentive-laden deal that adds 1-year nickel and dime package flexibility and depth.
Grade: C+
CB Mike Ford, 2 years, $4.5 million
Nick Caserio is seemingly addicted to signing replacement level depth players in the secondary. This isn't a negative, but Ford is likely only depth as he's quite inexperienced in full-time roles.
Grade: C
DL Tim Settle, 2 years
Tim Settle is likely the team's fourth defensive tackle. They need extra size in the middle, but Settle may not be on the field much if the Texans add any DT via the draft.
Grade: C
P Tommy Townsend, 2 years for $6 million
Townsend has been an above league average punter three out of his four seasons by the numbers that matter. Small win here.
Grade: B-
Texans Free Agent Re-Signings
TE Dalton Schultz, 3 years for $36 million
Signing a tight amid the prime of his NFL career coming off four straight seasons of nearly 600 receiving yards or more for "outside the top ten tight ends" money is excellent value. This contract will look better with each new tight end deal that emerges.
Grade: B+
CB Desmond King, 1 year for $2.2 million
This contract is perhaps the steal of free agency given how well King played down the stretch last fall. He was incredible at limiting big plays, only giving up two plays of more than 20 yards and less than seven yards per reception. He should be a high snap count slot cornerback this year.
Grade: A
S Eric Murray, 1 year for $1.75 million
The Texans bring back Murray after his season-ending injury early last season. Cheap depth safety for bigger nickel and rotational needs. Nearly the entire Texans secondary is on dirt cheap deals now.
Grade: C+
K Ka'imi Fairbairn, 3 years for $15.9 million
Fairbairn hit 94% of his field goals last season, including 100% under 40 yards. Incredible consistency and accuracy. Hugely underrated signing even if it isn't cheap for a kicker.
Grade: B+
DL Khalil Davis, 1 year
Davis was the Texans' fourth interior defensive lineman last season, but likely slots in as the third option this season unless the team adds more help. Above replacement level talent, and one of the better rotational defensive tackles in the league. Small win.
Grade: C+
CB Kris Boyd, 1 year
Special teams contributor and likely the final defensive back spot on the active roster.
Grade: C-
WR Noah Brown, 1 year
After posting two huge weeks over 150 receiving yards this past year and operating as the team's best blocking receiver, Brown needed to return.
Grade: B
Texans Free Agency & Trade Grade: A-
The Texans biggest two trades were huge wins for the team, bringing in a feature running back and adding draft capital. They added two of the best edge rushers on the market, including an elite fringe Hall of Fame player. They filled out their entire secondary on team friendly deals. Brought back their top tier kicker. And even filled out a linebacker room that was already one of the best last season.
There's still plenty of time for the Texans to make more moves, but it seems they have already won the off-season. As of today they also have nine draft picks to continue filling out specific needs. If they win on draft day the Texans could be building towards a truly special 2024 season.
