The NFL trade deadline is fast approaching, closing Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. ET. The 3-4 Houston Texans could be both buyers and sellers, leveraging their roster and supplemental draft picks.
If Houston
is looking to add talent, they hold an extra second- and fourth-round pick in next year’s draft—each capable of netting an immediate starter at a position of need. A second-rounder, in particular, could deliver an impact player where the Texans are hurting most, such as along the offensive line.
Trading a second-round pick for a veteran would be a short-term move aimed at salvaging a season tied to the so-called “Super Bowl window” defined by C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr.’s rookie contracts.
Both picks came courtesy of the Washington Commanders, whose Monday loss moved the Texans’ second-round selection into the top 40.
Heading into the deadline, Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler recently listed their top 25 trade candidates. Among interior offensive linemen, the only player mentioned was the New York Giants’ backup guard, Evan Neal.
This feels like an ideal time to deal away Neal, the No. 7 pick in 2022 who has been inactive all season. The Giants’ starting offensive line finally feels settled, which would make parting with Neal easier, even if for just a late-round pick swap. Teams are always looking for offensive line help.
While a washed up, rusty, and backup offensive guard doesn’t move the needle for Houston, it is another rotational piece that Houston can test out as an improvement over either Ed Ingram or Laken Tomlinson. What is beneficial is that Houston wouldn’t have to give up either their second or fourth round picks; Neal would only incur a 6th – 7th round pick.
Other interior lineman options are Arizona Cardinal’s Evan Brown and Las Vegas Raiders Dylan Parham. Parham is young, 26, and on his rookie contract. and has started at both guard positions.
On the other hand, Houston is on the outside looking in from a playoff perspective. Both the Colts and Jaguars are having marquee seasons and are not showing signs of slowing down. Their easy schedules lend themselves to playoff runs, which would all but shut Houston out of its first three-peat in franchise history.
With an uphill battle ahead of them, Bowen and Fowler listed Texans LB Christian Harris as the 24th most potentially valuable player that could be traded. They list the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers as potential trade partners.
The buzz: Harris is a once-productive starter relegated to a reserve role in Houston’s defense, due in part to injuries. But he is healthy now and still 24 years old. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans is a disciple of the 49ers coaching staff, and San Francisco might need linebacker help after Fred Warner‘s season-ending injury. And Texans general manager Nick Caserio is among the most aggressive dealmakers in the league.
Harris has been sidelined, falling behind Henry To’oTo’o, E.J. Speed, and Azeez Al-Shaair due to inconsistent play. Houston isn’t likely to get much in a trade, but a player-for-player swap for a rotational safety or tight end could make sense. Both positions are thin, especially with Jimmie Ward out and injuries piling up.
Other Texans who could be moved include Davis Mills, Dameon Pierce, and Derek Barnett. Mills has popped up in trade rumors before, but GM Caserio has shown no appetite to part with the backup quarterback. Pierce has been a healthy scratch most of the season and would bring minimal value. Barnett, meanwhile, recorded his first sack of 2025 on Sunday, adding to the five he posted last year in a reserve role. He could be a quick fix for a team like the 49ers, desperate for edge pressure, or even the Eagles, who are painfully thin at defensive end.
At this point, whether Houston is buying, selling, or doing a bit of both, the clock is ticking. A move at the trade deadline could shape what’s left of their 2025 season. The alternative is grim: no action, a narrow miss of the playoffs, and a draft pick that doesn’t carry much weight. After a promising win, the Texans are still trending toward that outcome, facing a steep climb to stay in postseason contention.
