The 2024 NFL draft has come to a completion. As the 90-man roster for the Texans gets filled up, there’ll start to be some churn. Each positional selection or lack thereof in the draft may have altered the future for current Texans.
A spotlight on the roster at the positions of addition in the draft shows the biggest “losers” in relation to roster security. On the flip side, the position that didn’t see additions via the draft will lead to the biggest “winners” as their position just became a little more secure.
Here are the biggest winners and losers on the Texans’ roster.
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Winners
CBs Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson
Cornerbacks Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson were two “winners” after the Texans didn’t add an outside cornerback in the draft. Houston did use their first selection at pick No. 42 to draft a cornerback in Kamari Lassiter, but he’ll most likely be predominantly used on the interior.
Okudah and Henderson were both selected in the top 10 picks of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Texans have them in prime position to prove they weren’t draft “busts.” Houston has a NASCAR package of defensive linemen that can quickly wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks, along with two talented linebackers that can cover ground quickly. That should allow the defensive backs to focus on messing up the timing of the receivers' routes and staying tight enough in coverage for less than three seconds a play (on average) to not allow the big completions.
Okudah has 4.4 speed along with 32.5-inch arms and a 6-foot-6.5 wingspan that should allow him to rebuild his reputation behind the front six. Henderson’s 4.39-timed speed combined with the pass rush should allow for him to build back up his value as well.
It sounds good on paper but with the Texans' aspirations, it’s a gamble. The Texans could make an addition at the position via the veteran free agent market that alters their security. As it sits currently, they come out as big winners following the draft.
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WR Robert Woods
The Texans went into one of the deepest and most talented wide receiver drafts and came out of it with two undrafted twins at the position. Veteran wideout Robert Woods has a contract that would be more beneficial to the Texans if it wasn’t on the books.
The lack of addition via the draft makes Woods one of the bigger “winners” for the Texans. He was already on the cut cusp. An addition from this draft class would have pushed him over the edge. He could continue to survive if the Texans decide to keep six receivers for talented depth through the entire season.
QBs Case Keenum and Davis Mills
The Texans don’t have a definitive need for the backup quarterback positions. However, Houston could have been proactive in drafting a talented enough prospect if one slid in the draft. Quarterbacks Davis Mills and Case Keenum are each in the final year of their deals, too. Moving on from Mills would have saved the Texans $3.1 million in cap space while leaving only $290,000 in dead money per Over The Cap. Cutting Keenum would only have saved $1.8 million and left $1.5 million in dead money.
Spencer Rattler lasted until the 150th pick overall despite Day 2 value. Now he's with the Saints or the next four years. If the Texans had made the move it would have been financially wise, provided long-term upside at the backup position on a budget and possibly created a future, valuable trade asset if Rattler develops to his potential.
The Texans stayed firm at the quarterback position and punted on the decision for the backup and third-string positions until 2025. Mills and Keenum both come out as winners and it should remain that way unless an unexpected reunion between quarterback coach Jerrod Johnson and free-agent quarterback Ryan Tannehill happens. Johnson was Tannehill’s quarterback at Texas A&M when Tannehill moved to the receiver position before Tannehill went on to replace Johnson at quarterback after Johnson’s injury.
Losers
TEs Teagan Quitoriano and Brevin Jordan
The Texans landed a talent at a value price in tight end Cade Stover. Stover can come in and work his way up to the second tight end on the depth chart, seeing action in Year 1 in 12-personnel along with Schultz. Stover can learn and develop behind Schultz for the next two years before replacing him as the starter in 2026.
The addition of Stover may mean the end for either Brevin Jordan, a former fifth-rounder, or Teagan Quitoriano. Jordan’s contract is up after the 2024 season while Quitoriano is tied to the club through 2025. On a more competitive roster, the Texans are going to have some tougher cuts this year. If Houston keeps only three tight ends, then one of their former fifth-round selections at the position may see their time with the Texans come to an end sooner than expected.
RB Dare Ogunbowale
Ogunbowale re-signed with the Texans this offseason after leading the teams in special teams tackles in 2022 and finishing tied for second this past season. While Houston should hold onto Ogunbowale, the addition of Jawhar Jordan may force his departure.
The Texans traded for running back Joe Mixon this offseason and have Dameon Pierce returning off of a disappointing second season with the club. Houston would have to keep four at the position if Ogunbowale is to make the roster.
Special teams LBs
Houston drafted linebacker Jamal Hill and signed two undrafted free agent linebackers in Max Tooley and Tarique Barnes. The Texans recently re-signed special teams ace Neville Hewitt at the position along with the signing of special teamer Del’Shawn Phillips. Jake Hansen returns and plays mostly special teams as well.
Houston has Henry To’oTo’o who returns and is meant for linebacker depth rather than a pure special teams player. The signing of Jacob Phillips points to the Texans hoping for lightning to strike twice, as his talent has been overshadowed by his injury history — a similar situation to former Texans linebacker Blake Cashman before his breakout in Houston.
The addition of Hill, Tooley and Barnes and late signing of Phillips signifies that the Texans know that they are lacking in top-end talent from a depth perspective. Hill and Tooley could both make the roster. Their addition would likely mean that Del’Shawn Phillips and Jake Hansen wouldn’t see their name on the final 53-man roster in Houston. Jacob Phillips can’t afford an injury in camp or the rookies may take his spot as well.
Backup safeties who play special teams
The Texans traded a fourth-round pick to move up in the third round to select safety Calen Bullock. Houston has Jimmie Ward and Jalen Pitre as starters at the position with several veterans that are good on special teams and can step up to play when needed at the safety position.
The Texans clearly think highly of the rookie and he should be in the mix early. His addition pushes down older veterans like M.J. Stewart and Eric Murray. Murray and Stewart both finished in the top three on the team in special teams tackles in 2022 before they each suffered injuries that shortened their seasons last year. Stewart and Murray can each step up to play safety when injuries hit at the position.
Houston brought back their former draft pick, Lonnie Johnson Jr., at the position as well. Johnson Jr. has position versatility to provide depth at corner and safety while also starring on special teams. Johnson Jr., along with last year’s seventh-round pick Brandon Hill could be the new depth behind Ward, Pitre and Bullock, which would mean that Houston would be parting ways with each Stewart and Murray.
Backup DTs
Houston signed four outside free agents at the defensive tackle position this offseason, along with re-signing Khalil Davis. The Texans then drafted Marcus Harris in the seventh round as well as making Pheldarius Payne a priority from their six-man undrafted free agent class. Harris and even Payne both have staying potential. Davis showed his potential last year and should be a part of the future.
Kurt Hinish returns to compete for depth at the position with Davis, Harris and Payne. Free agent signees Denico Autry, Foley Fatukasi, Tim Settle and Mario Edwards all are part of the competition for starters and backups. Of the quartet, Edwards is most likely to get passed up as a backup by Harris and/or Davis. Hinish and Edwards would be competing with Payne to fill out the three-deep at the position.
The Texans starters could be Autry and Fatukasi with Settle at backup with either Harris or Davis. Whoever falls to the three-deep between Davis and Harris will most likely be paired with one of the trio from Hinish, Edwards and Payne. The addition of Harris and Payne could mean either or both of Hinish and Edwards could be released before the season.
