The majority of NFL free agency is over, the Draft has passed and the Texans’ offseason 90-man roster is maxed out. So, are the Texans ready for the 2024 season? Not quite.
The Texans general manager Nick Caserio mentioned roster cuts were on the way following the final picks of the 2024 NFL Draft. There are also still some key moves to be made before they are ready for next season in free agency or elsewhere.
Here’s a look at the current Texans' roster and moves that could be on the way.
Texans 2024 roster
Current 90-man Roster
Houston is currently at the max of 90 men on their offseason roster including the six undrafted rookie free agents that KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reported. Here’s the current makeup of the Texans' reported roster:
- Ofense
- 2 Fullbacks
- 4 Quarterbacks
- 5 Offensive tackles (*6)
- 5 Tight ends
- 7 Running backs
- 9 Guards and centers
- 12 Wide Receivers
- Defense
- 7 Defensive ends
- 7 Safeties
- 9 Defensive tackles
- 10 Linebackers
- 10 Cornerbacks
- 3 on special teams
- 1 Kicker
- 1 Punter
- 1 Long Snapper
*Texans have six offensive tackles but Kilian Zierer is part of the International Pathway Program and his roster spot is exempt
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Expected Texans roster cuts
Caserio said that cuts would be on the way after the latest additions. Here’s where they can cut the fat to add other key veterans, competition and camp bodies.
Wide Receiver: With 12 players at this position, Houston could cut the bottom from the roster and/or move on from Robert Woods before training camp. A move to cut Woods would save the team almost $5 million in cap space while leaving behind $4.75 million in dead money. Wilson’s undrafted free agent reports list the Texans as signing wide receivers that are twins from South Dakota State in Jadon and Jaxon Janke. Their additions could signal the end for players like Johnny Johnson III or Jared Wayne on the roster if space is needed immediately and Houston opts to keep Woods.
Running Back: There are up to seven players at the position with the addition of sixth-round draft pick Jawhar Jordan and undrafted free agent British Brooks out of North Carolina. If Houston needs to free some spots at running back, Gerrid Doaks and J.J. Taylor would be the first on the chopping blocks.
Other Cuts: Houston has 10 linebackers with the selection of Jamal Hill and reported addition of undrafted free agents at the position in Tarique Barnes from Illinois and BYU linebacker Max Cooley. Around 60% of the guys at the positions are predominantly special teamers. The Texans could move one of the special teamers if an undrafted player or Hill shows well early in the defense.
The Texans now have six defensive tackles and 10 cornerbacks. The cornerback position is similar to the linebacker position with about half of the group being made up of special teamers. The tackle group is deep with versatile talent but the addition of Marcus Harris in the draft along with the reported free agent signing at the position of Pheldarius Payne out of Virginia Tech, could lead the Texans to move on from the bottom guy at the position.
Houston could easily move on from five to 10 guys on its current 90-man roster without batting an eye. There’s no need to do that, though, as the roster is only two to three players away from having the Super Bowl construction.
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Possible free agency additions
Houston went into the draft knowing that it had fallback options available at a couple of positions of need in the veteran free agency market. This allowed the Texans to not force the need at these positions.
The main areas of need left are at linebacker, cornerback and safety. The Texans have depth and talent at the defensive tackle position for a healthy rotation but there’s still one available free agent on the market that would make sense for Houston.
Houston added three linebackers in the draft and after with Hill, Cooley and Barnes. The position is still extremely top-heavy with Christian Harris and Azeez Al-Shaair, followed by Henry To’oTo’o. Behind that trio, it’s mostly special teamers, late-round picks and undrafted prospects.
The Texans need Harris and Al-Shaair to stay healthy in 2024 as they don’t have anyone who can step up on the roster and replace their talent at the position. The veteran market is bare at the position and why the Texans are throwing extra darts at the board with the selection of Hill and one-third of their undrafted class being spent on the position.
Texans should target DT Calais Campbell
The defensive tackle position isn’t a need as Houston has a vast array of talent that is also versatile. They have a good blend of youth with veterans at the position as well. However, their previous interest in Arik Armstead could lead them to make one more veteran addition at the position in Calais Campbell. Campbell and Armstead are similar size and would each provide matchup problems for opposing offensive lines looking to stop Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Denico Autry and Campbell at the same time.
While Campbell is seven years older, he’s been the one who has been the healthier and more productive in recent years out of the duo. Armstead has played in 21 games over the past two seasons in which he totaled 23 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, six TFLs and five sacks. Over the same time, Campbell has played in 31 games with 50 tackles, 31 quarterback hits, 14 TFLs and 12 sacks. Basically, Campbell has averaged over the last 2 seasons what Armstead has totaled in the same span.
Campbell will be immensely cheaper than Armstead as well. It’s a no-brainer for a one-year deal for an aging player wanting to chase a title before he retires and a team looking for someone that fits his specific skill set.
Texans should target CBs Steven Nelson, Stephon Gilmore or Xavien Howard
While the Texans don’t have to make a move at defensive tackle, it’s a major need for them to do it at cornerback and safety. At the cornerback position, the Texans have a rookie second-round pick to play the slot with Desmond King II and Myles Bryant to compete with him and also serve depth roles. They also have Derek Stingley Jr. on the outside. All of that is well and good but opposite of Stingley Jr. the Texans have 2 failed drafted picks from the top-10 picks of the 2020 NFL draft in Jeff Okudah and CJ Henderson. While each of them are worthwhile, low-risk investments, neither should be Plan A as starting outside corner for a team with the aspirations the Texans have.
Luckily, the Texans know that Steven Nelson, Stephon Gilmore and Xavien Howard are all still available on the veteran free-agent market. One of the trio needs to be signed for the Texans to realistically have a Super Bowl roster construction before the start of the season.
Texans should target safeties Justin Simmons or Quandre Diggs
The safety position was devalued during the free agency period and some top talent still remains at the position. The Texans added safety Calen Bullock in the third round and have Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward at the position. Pitre hasn’t played up to his draft potential and Ward can’t be relied on to stay healthy.
Bullock may blossom into the guy but he can’t be depended on being the guy as a rookie. Houston needs to pick up the phone and hammer out a deal for Justin Simmons or Quandre Diggs at the position.
The deals for Nelson, Campbell and Simmons (as examples) wouldn’t cost close to the value they would provide for one to two years. If Houston pulls off these moves then they are ready for a 2024 deep playoff push and have a roster from top to bottom constructed to pursue a Super Bowl.
Houston has done everything to put itself in position for a run like the city has never seen. They can’t stop just short of the finish line. They have to add a veteran cornerback and safety that are battle-tested. It’s time for Ryans, Caserio and the McNairs to finish the offseason.
