The Houston Texans entered the first week of NFL free agency in a very different place than they did a year ago. Sure, the previous seasons of each respective free agency period ended identically, with a 10-7 record, a division title, and a loss in the second round of the playoffs. However, the ferocity with which the Texans could attack free agency was very different this week than it was a year ago.
Back in March 2024, the Texans were flush with tens of millions of dollars in cap space. Conversely, on Monday, they entered the day with a little under $5 million in cap space, according to website Over The Cap. The Texans had (and still have) some very specific, acute needs to fill. Here's how the first day of free agency looked in Houston:
Texans trade LT Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders
This is the deal nobody saw coming. Tunsil has made the Pro Bowl five of the six seasons that he's been a Houston Texans. By almost every advanced metric, he's been one of the best pass blockers, and by proxy one of the best tackles on football during his time as a Texan. Yet, it feels like there's always been something off in the relationship between Tunsil and Texans fans. Maybe it's all the false starts. maybe it's the laissez faire attitude. Maybe it's the complete lack of desire to practice. Whatever the case, Texans fans seem ecstatic to get a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 7th, not to mention a $14 million cap savings, to get Tunsil up and out of here. This trade, and the Tunsil Era, deserves its own post, but know that Nick Caserio hiajcked free agency.
Texans bring back DT Sheldon Rankins
Rankins was brought in back in March 2023 on a one-year, $10 million deal, and had a very good 2023 season along the Texans' defensive line, with six sacks and a fumble return for touchdown. Rankins was also cited as a major leader in that defensive line room by Will Anderson, who told me multiple times how important Rankins was to his growth. Following the 2023 season, Rankins decided to go to the Bengals on a two-year, $26 million contract, where they basically outbid the Texans. Unfortunately, because of injury and illness, Rankins played only seven games last season, and the Bengals cut him loose after one season. Now, he returns on a one year, $7 million deal, with the Texans hopeful he can replicate his 2023 season.
Texans sign WR Braxton BerriosThe Texans traded for former Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk late last week, seemingly fulfilling their need for a slot wide receiver. The Texans continued with that theme in the first hour of the legal tampering period on Monday, signing former Jets and Dolphins slot receiver Braxton Berrios to a one year, $2 million deal. Berrios is coming off a knee injury from 2024, but when healthy, he's been useful in the return game, as well. Berrios was a 6th round draft pick of the Patriots in 2018, a time when current Texans GM Nick Caserio was in the building with the Patriots.
Texans bring back DE Derek BarnettBarnett was a waiver wire pickup late in the 2023 season, and the former first round pick out of Tennessee balled out in December and January. He liked it so much in Houston, he decided to return last year on a one year, $5 million deal, and again, did some really nice things, including two fumble returns for touchdowns. Well, once again, Barnett has decided to return to the Texans on an identical one year, $5 million deal, giving the Texans a very competent veteran as depth behind Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson.
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