After winning the AFC South and advancing to the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, the Houston Texans‘ trajectory is soaring into 2024. The Texans boast the reigning Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year in QB C.J. Stroud and pass rusher Will Anderson and will enter free agency with nearly $70 million in cap space.
How will Houston address its needs this offseason? Here are three moves the Texans could make in the coming weeks.
Houston Texans Free Agency Predictions
Re-Sign TE Dalton Schultz
While Dalton Schultz may never match the 2021 line (78-808-8) that earned him a 2022 franchise tag, he’s still been productive over the last two years. Since 2022, Schultz’s 1,212 receiving yards rank ninth among tight ends, while his 116 catches rank 10th.
After inking a one-year, $6.25 million deal with Houston last offseason, Schultz was the definition of reliable. He finished second on the Texans in targets (88) and receptions (59), acting as a stabilizing force in a pass-catching corps that included young standouts like Nico Collins and Tank Dell.
Schultz’s most significant case for a new deal might be the lack of other TE options on the open market. He’s far and away the best free agent tight end available this offseason, with other choices like Noah Fant, Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki, and Gerald Everett falling well behind Schultz.
Schultz, 27, is due a raise and a multi-year commitment. There’s no reason for the Texans not to pursue another deal, and a three-year pact in the $30 million range could make sense for both sides.
Dip Into RB and Safety Markets
Running back is clearly a need for the Texans after Houston finished with the NFL’s sixth-worst rushing success rate in 2023. Safety is less of a roster concern, but an overwhelming surplus of available talent at RB and S could create opportunities for the Texans.
Poor rushing attacks aren’t simply the result of dismal RB play, but Houston doesn’t figure to make any adjustments to its already-talented offensive line. Instead, the Texans may need to replace their incumbent Devin Singletary-Dameon Pierce backfield with a more dynamic runner.
With backs like Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Derrick Henry on the market, an RB like D’Andre Swift could be forgotten once free agency gets underway.
The oft-injured back stayed healthy for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023, handled double-digit carries in all but two games, and narrowly missed a fourth consecutive 40-reception campaign.
Swift could become a pass-catching maven for C.J. Stroud, who averaged 6.4 yards per attempt on screens, the eighth-best mark in the league. It’s hard to imagine Swift commanding an exorbitant salary, and the Texans could still think about drafting a late-round RB.
Meanwhile, the upcoming FA safety crop is also incredibly impressive. While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will likely franchise-tag Antoine Winfield Jr., Xavier McKinney, Kamren Curl, Kyle Dugger, Geno Stone, and a host of others should be available in mid-March.
Former second-round pick Jalen Pitre looks like a Texans building block in the back end. But fellow safety Jimmie Ward will be 33 years old in July and missed seven 2023 games due to injury.
Houston can afford to upgrade. Pitre spent roughly 60% of his time as a free safety last season, so Curl or Dugger — both of whom have plenty of experience playing in the box — could be fits for the Texans.
Bring DT DJ Reader Back to Houston
Texans general manager Nick Caserio needs to work out a solution with defensive end Jonathan Greenard, who is on track to earn more than $20+ million per year after breaking out for 12.5 sacks in 2023.
But Houston also needs help on the interior, where Sheldon Rankins, Teair Tart, and Hassan Ridgeway are scheduled to hit free agency. Could the Texans reunite with an old friend?
Reader spent the first four seasons of his NFL career in Houston, dominating as a run-clogging defensive tackle before scoring a major free agent deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. He’d likely be headed for another expensive contract this offseason had he not torn his quad tendon in December.
KEEP READING: Texans 2024 Free Agents
Reader should still be coveted, but he may have to accept a one-year, prove-it pact as he recovers. The Texans could take the plunge, hoping they’ll get late-season production out of Reader as they make another playoff push.
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