The roster is a fluid concept. Players can come and go, and just because a player has packed their bags and left NRG Stadium doesn’t mean they’re gone for good.
There are multiple former Houston Texans still available via free agency. The Texans have the 11th most cap space available with $28M to spend on their roster. That provides them with plenty of ammunition to stock up on one or two depth pieces to complement the current team. Instead of bringing in an unknown commodity, they could choose to re-sign
a former Texan to bolster the roster. The below options are all available for Nick Caserio to explore.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR
- Age: 34 years old
- Time with the Texans: 2013 – 2022
- Most recent team: Baltimore Ravens
One of the best players in Texans’ history is still a free agent as training camp approaches. The 34-year old would be entering his fourteenth season. His prime years are behind him, but he remains durable and productive. He has played at least sixteen games in each of the past three seasons and averaged more than four touchdowns per year during that stretch.
Hopkins could compete for the sixth or seventh receiver spot and would immediately become the oldest player on the roster. Even with his age, he brings reliable hands and a steady presence on third down. Stroud and Hopkins never played together, and the idea of Hopkins finishing his career where it began adds an interesting wrinkle to the Texans receiver room.
Derek Barnett, DE
- Age: 30 years old
- Time with the Texans: 2023 – 2025
- Most recent team: Houston Texans
For some reason, Barnett remains a free agent and is the only remaining player that is worthy of re-signing . I could have swore that either Houston or another team would have snapped him up after back-to-back five sack seasons. Players such as Denico Autry, Mario Edwards Jr., all are over 30 and underperformed in 2025. Houston needs to move on from those veterans and develop the young options on the roster.
Barnett is probably looking for a starting role and long-term contract, but Houston needs another short-term deal for a contributing backup. Starters Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter are slated to lead for the foreseeable future with major salary guarantees. If the two sides can come to an agreement, Barnett would be welcome back in Houston anytime.
Noah Brown, WR
- Age: 30 years old
- Time with the Texans: 2023
- Most recent team: Washington Commanders
Brown’s injury issues have plagued is entire career. He landed on the Injured Reserve twice in 2025 and has been disappointing since leaving Houston in 2023. The 30-year old receiver However, Houston lacks a downfield option that can burn defenses and lengthen the field. Brown could be an extremely cheap option for later in the season when he heals from his rib and back injuries suffered in Week 15. Brown is a low-risk, high reward option that the Texans should pursue mid-late season once he’s healthy and after any potential injuries to the current roster.
Jadeveon Clowney
- Age: 33 years old
- Time with the Texans: 2014 – 2018
- Most recent team: Dallas Cowboys
Clowney has aged like a fine wine. After an understandable break from Houston, he became one of the league’s most well‑traveled defenders, with stops in Seattle, Tennessee, Carolina, Cleveland, Baltimore, and Dallas. His last three seasons have been some of the most productive of his career, totaling more than 130 tackles and 23.5 sacks.
Out of all the names on this list, Clowney might be the best fit. He’s no longer a full‑time starter, but he plays with remarkable endurance and understands his role. Houston needs an edge‑setter with real pass‑rush juice, and Clowney delivered exactly that for the Cowboys last season. Adding him to the Texans’ strongest position group would make an already elite defensive front even deeper.
Brandin Cooks, WR
- Age: 32 years old
- Time with the Texans: 2020 – 2022
- Most recent team: Buffalo Bills
Cooks became one of Houston’s most productive receivers in a short span, ranking seventh in franchise history in targets and yards and eighth in touchdowns. The era wasn’t glamorous — COVID seasons and organizational turmoil — but Cooks consistently produced.
After being released by the Saints in 2025, he joined the Bills midseason and immediately boosted their offense. His role overlaps with Lewis Bond and Jaylin Noel, but his experience and familiarity with Houston’s system would give him an edge.
Cooks hasn’t hit 1,000 yards since his Texans days, yet he remains a reliable contributor wherever he goes. He’d provide insurance if Tank Dell isn’t ready and elevate the competition in training camp from day one.
