Texans general manager Nick Caserio wasn't shy about making moves this offseason, as Houston has been active in their 2024 roster construction with draft picks, free agency signings and multiple trades.
Caserio added big-name players like running back Joe Mixon and wide receiver Stefon Diggs as well as underrated players like pass-catcher Ben Skowronek. He also sent starting defensive tackle Maliek Collins to the 49ers.
Two of those moves are among the 10 most impactful in 2024, according to NFL.com's Tom Blair. One move saw a much-needed addition while the other saw a starter shipped out.
Texans' trades among most impactful for 2024 season
WR Stefon Diggs
Houston's trade for Diggs is hailed as the most impactful trade of the offseason. The Texans sent the 2025 second-round pick for Diggs as well as a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick from the Bills.
The Texans had previously received the 2025 second-round pick from the Vikings, in a pre-draft trade that ended with Minnesota moving to Houston's No. 23 spot in the first round. The move to trade out of the first round paid for the Diggs' compensation and landed them cornerback Kamari Lassiter and linebacker Jamal Hill. Houston also landed pick No. 189 from the Diggs trade which they sent to Detroit for the Lions to select Mekhi Wingo. The Texans acquired picks No. 205 (Jawhar Jordan) and No. 249 (LaDarius Henderson) from the Lions in the trade back.
Not a bad haul to land Diggs, Lassiter, Hill, Jordan, Henderson and a 2025 fifth-round pick.
The Diggs addition rightfully ranked first on the list, one spot ahead of the Bears trade for receiver Keenan Allen — which the Texans attempted to trade for before he ended up in Chicago. Here's what Blair had to say about the move:
So, you're an aspiring AFC power and you want to help your young QB cement his place among the NFL's A-listers? Get Diggs. His name might not carry as much of a kick as it did in 2020, when he joined the Bills via trade to supercharge their offense. He'll turn 31 in November, and toward the end of his Bills tenure, it seemed like he generated nearly as much drama as he did production (42.2 receiving yards per game over his final 10 games, including playoffs). But he still ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in catches (107, seventh) and receiving scores (eight, tied for eighth)...
The messiness in Buffalo aside, Diggs accelerated Josh Allen's journey into stardom. If he can help reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud take another step, he'll have played a role in shaping the landscape of NFL contenders for a second time.
Houston reworked Diggs’ contract so he’s a free agent after the trade, too. The Texans currently have several receivers in the last year of their deal with Diggs, Nico Collins, Robert Woods, Noah Brown, Skowronek and Steven Sims. Collins may get an extension before the season starts but Diggs is likely to be motivated in an attempt to secure another big day with guaranteed money on the open market.
The 2024 Texans receiver core should be special. Diggs brings his veteran leadership and ability to lead the up-and-coming Collins, Dell and John Metchie III with Brown, Skowronek and Woods providing stellar, versatile depth.
The Texans already had a talented offense with quarterback C.J. Stroud, tight end Dalton Schultz, Collins, Dell, Brown, Metchie III and Woods. Now, they get Year 2 of Stroud and Dell with Metchie III ready to hit his stride with the additions of Diggs, Mixon, rookie tight end Cade Stover and improved health and depth on the offensive line.
DT Maliek Collins
The trade of Collins came in at No. 8 on the list after the Texans attempted to trade him to the 49ers for defensive tackle Arik Armstead. The deal fell through for Armstead, but the trade for Collins was still executed with San Francisco for the No. 232 pick. This trade almost helped the Texans land, Diggs, as Houston sent the No. 232 pick to Minnesota in their deal before using one of the picks in the Vikings trade to get Diggs.
Caserio brought all the moves full circle to make the different puzzle pieces combine to form his big picture.
The trade of Collins made a lot of sense when it was rumored to be for Armstead, who played for head coach DeMeco Ryans in San Francisco. When the deal for Armstead fell through and the Texans still executed the trade for a seventh-round pick, the move was puzzling, even when factoring in the money saved by Houston shedding the contract.
The Texans missed out on re-signing defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins as he went for more money in Cincinnati. This left Houston needing to replace two starting defensive tackles. They ended up looking to replace their former starters’ production with quantity instead of top-end talent.
Houston added four outside free agents at the position in Denico Autry, Foley Fatukasi, Tim Settle and Mario Edwards. They added two rookies with Marcus Harris and undrafted free agent Pheldarius Payne. Khalil Davis was re-signed with Kurt Hinish and McTelvin Agim.
The Texans have a versatile and talented three-deep at defensive tackle with several players that can either play both tackle spots on the inside or split time between the inside at tackle and outside on the edge. They took a "Moneyball" approach to replacing the production with a good blend of youth, developing talent and veterans.
