The Texans signed, traded, cut, and extended their way through the first week of free agency. General Manager Nick Caserio improved the roster on both sides of the ball and still has salary cap room to spare.
The fallout from the first week of free agency had a significant impact, both positive and negative, on many Texans on the roster. With more signings to come and the NFL Draft just under 40 days away, the below players saw their fortunes rise or fall the most over the past week.
Winner: Tommy Togiai, DT
What went right:
Despite Houston’s additions along the defensive line, Togiai retained his starting role. The team re-signed Sheldon Rankins and Naquan Jones and brought in Logan Hall, who is expected to take over Denico Autry’s role in the defense.
Togiai was last year’s stand out free-agent signing and is queued up to receive a massive deal in 2027. While Houston is projected to select a starting defensive tackle in the first three rounds, that has not been the case in the Nick Caserio era.
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Loser: Blake Fisher, OT (TE?)
What went wrong: Fisher’s avenue to finally starting at right tackle was nixed when Houston re-signed Trent Brown, and only worsened when the team doubled down by signing Braden Smith. Smith is the marquee addition of this free agent class and is expected to take over the starting right tackle job. Houston then signed blocking tight end Foster Moreau to handle the sixth-lineman role Fisher filled last season. Unless Fisher is willing to kick inside to guard – a move I believe is entirely necessary entering year three – he may once again find himself riding the pine.
Winner: Tank Dell, WR
What went right: Houston has yet to add a receiver to the room. That’s a clear indication in the front office’s anticipation for Dell to be a major factor on offense. Houston should add another veteran receiver in the room, something Caserio has done almost every offseason (Christian Kirk, Stefon Diggs, Robert Woods, Noah Brown, Brandin Cooks, and Chris Moore), but the likelihood that addition is of the same caliber receiver as Dell is extremely limited.
Loser: M.J. Stewart, S
What went wrong: Stewart signed a one-year, $2.7M contract to remain in Houston. A nice reward for being the most consistent safety next to Calen Bullock all season. How else was he rewarded? By Houston bringing in Reed Blankenship on a three-year, $24.75 million blockbuster deal that tabs him to be the starter for the foreseeable future, not Steward. Stewart was immediately relegated to backup and special teams duties by the deal.
Winner: Dalton Schultz, TE
What went right: While Houston added blocking tight end Foster Moreau, the team passed on signing a top-tier tight end to a multi-year deal. Instead, they extended Dalton Schultz for another season with a $10 million signing bonus. The contract looks like a steal, as Schultz will make less than Luke Farrell, Adam Trautman, Julian Hill, and John Bates despite projecting to have a far greater impact in Houston.
Loser: Jaylen Reed, S
What went wrong: Like Stewart, Reed was an intermittent substitute at the safety position due to injuries. His two stints on the Injured Reserve due to a foot/ankle injury and broken forearm set back his growth and development. Even though he experienced multiple setbacks, it’s rare for sixth round pick to be given the opportunities he had to start and play.
Houston has bolstered its safety room this offseason, which will push Reed back down the depth chart. Hopefully he can experience a healthy offseason and compete for a rotational role with Stewart.
Winner: Woody Marks, RB
What went right: Stick with me here. Woody Marks left almost every single game he played with an injury. The toll his rookie season took on him is the reason running backs fail to receive lucrative second contracts. Marks was not asked to be a battering ram at USC or Miss. State, and hopefully won’t be asked to do so again next year. When Houston traded for David Montgomery, they took the load off of Marks to be the lead back. Hopefully, this will allow Marks to be a change-of-pace, more dynamic playmaker than the battering ram that he was forced to be last season. This rejuvenated role should extend his career and long-term health.
Loser: Jake Andrews, C
What went wrong: While Houston hasn’t added any centers in free agency, they have addressed almost every other pressing need on their to-do list. With those additions to the roster completed, the front office will shift their focus to adding a top-flight center via the draft. That player will most likely take over the role within the first several weeks of the season, unseating Andrews from his starting spot.
