The Texans have been very active so far this offseason. 

The team has made several shrewd moves, including trading for guard Shaq Mason, and signing former 49er Jimmie Ward to beef up the secondary. 

Luckily for Houston, they did not have to worry about losing many impact players. Jordan Akins and Obo Okoronkwo represent the biggest losses. 

With that being said, let's grade all the re-signings and signings made by the team to this point. 

Re-signings

C Scott Quessenberry: 1 year, $1.2M

Quessenberry was one of the worst-rated centers in the league in 2022, according to PFF. 

However, the Texans' coaches love his toughness and have praised his leadership. 

I would think this is just a depth signing and the team plans on adding another center at some point. If Quessenberry was signed to be the starter again? That's a problem. 

Grade: C-

DE Derek Rivers: 1 year, terms unknown

Another depth piece is brought back into the fold. The Texans have made several additions along the defensive line, so Rivers could face an uphill battle to make the roster. 

Grade: C

CB Tavierre Thomas: 1 year, $2.2M

Thomas had a sneakily good season in 2022. The corner earned a solid 70.0 grade from PFF and collected 25 solo tackles. 

I like keeping Thomas in the fold. The Texans have a young but talented secondary and Thomas is solid depth. 

Grade: B+ 

S MJ Stewart: 2 years, $6M

Stewart was also one of the few free agents retained by the Texans. The veteran safety had 41 tackles in 2022 backing up Jonathan Owens and Jalen Pitre. 

Owens has yet to be re-signed by Houston, so Stewart is a solid insurance policy. Nice depth piece here. 

Grade: B

Signings

WR Robert Woods: 2 years, $15.2M

The Texans started free agency off by signing the veteran receiver Woods. Woods was released by the Tennessee Titans in a cost-cutting move. 

There are concerns about Woods' age and injury history, but he brings a much-needed veteran element to the Houston locker room. As recently as 2020, Woods had 90 receptions for 936 yards. 

Woods got $10M guaranteed over two years. A reasonable price for a quality veteran receiver. 

Grade: B

DB Jimmie Ward: 2 years, $13M

Ward comes to Houston after spending nine seasons in San Francisco. Texans' HC Demeco Ryans is very familiar with Ward after the pair spent six years together with the 49ers. 

Ward is a versatile defensive back who can play nickel corner or one of the safety positions. Ward is the type of proven veteran that is needed for a young Texans' secondary. 

Ward got $8.5M guaranteed, which is reasonable for his age and production.

Grade: B+

QB Case Keenum: 2 years, $6.2M

Keenum is exactly what you want in a backup QB. The veteran can keep your team afloat if forced into action, and provides valuable leadership in the locker room. 3

The Texans are widely expected to take a QB in the 2023 NFL Draft, so Keenum will provide mentorship. 

Keenum joins Davis Mills and EJ Perry as QBs currently on the roster. With Keenum getting $4M guaranteed, it is almost a certainty that he will be the Texans' backup QB in 2023.

Grade: A

DT Hassan Ridgeway: 1 year, $4M

Ridgeway will help beef up a Texans' defense that ranked dead-last in rushing yards allowed in 2022. 

Ridgeway spent 2022 with the 49ers and will now follow his former teammate Jimmie Ward and former DC Demeco Ryans to Houston. 

Ridgeway will likely be a useful rotational player in Houston. This price tag is about right. 

Grade: B

RB Mike Boone: 2 years, $3.1M

Houston was probably the best location for Boone if he wants to see the field more. 

Yes, the Texans have Dameon Pierce who looked fantastic as a rookie, but there will still be snaps for another back. With Rex Burkhead and Royce Freeman gone, Boone should have a great opportunity to get the RB2 role. 

For the small amount of money, I'm okay with this signing. I expect the team to add a RB in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft just for depth. 

Grade: B

DE Chase Winovich: 1 year, $2M

This is a great low-risk, high-reward move for the Texans. 

Winovich has been productive in spurts and can be a solid rotational pass rusher. In 2020, while still with the Patriots, Winovich collected 5.5 sacks and 48 tackles. This type of production would be welcomed by a Texans team that was middle-of-the-pack in sacks last year. 

Grade: A

WR Noah Brown: 1 year, $2.6M

This is another one-year, low-risk deal for the Texans. Brown adds to depth to a WR room that was among the worst in the league in 2022. 

Currently, the Texans have Nico Collins, Robert Woods, Noah Brown, and John Metchie III at the top of the WR depth chart. (I'm assuming Brandin Cooks is on a different team by the start of the 2023 NFL season). 

Brown put up a very solid 43 receptions for 555 yards and 3 TDs in 2022 for the Cowboys, and should thrive in Houston with a larger role. 

Grade: A

DT Sheldon Rankins: 1 year, $9.7M

Rankins joins the aforementioned Ridgeway on the Texans' defensive line. 

Rankins and Ridgeway, alongside the incumbent Maliek Collins, should give the Texans a formidable interior. Expect the Texans' run defense to vastly improve in 2023. 

Rankins did get a $7M signing bonus, but only $850K of his $9.7M salary is fully guaranteed. 

Grade: B

TE Andrew Beck: 2 years, $6.2M 

The Texans lost Jordan Akins to the Cleveland Browns, so there are plenty of targets to be had at the tight end position in Houston. 

Beck is more of a blocking tight end, so it's doubtful he will be able to replicate the 40+ catches Akins was capable of. I would expect the Texans to add a receiving threat at the position at some point this offseason. 

$6.2M seems like a lot for a guy who caught just five passes on 2022. 

Grade: D

Trades

HOU receives: G Shaq Mason, 2023 seventh-round pick

TB receives: 2023 sixth-round pick 

This is an absolute slam dunk for Houston. Getting a quality plug-and-play guard for just a sixth-round pick is an absolute win. 

Mason is in the last year of his deal, but even getting one year of his services would be worth a late-round pick. 

Grade: A+