Now that Stefon Diggs is officially a member of the Houston Texans, it’s evident that the AFC South franchise is going all-in for 2024.
No, the Texans were always going to be competitive following a breakout first year under DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud, but general manager Nick Caserio wanted to be aggressive. Ownership realized with Stroud on a rookie contract, investments come in the form of free agents.
Houston didn’t micromanage this offseason. Yes, several moves like signing Jeff Okuah to a one-year, $4.25 million deal and Foley Fatukasi to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million were similar to years past, but Caserio broke the bank with several major acquisitions.
Danielle Hunter comes to Houston fresh off a record-setting season with the Minnesota Vikings on a two-year, $51 million deal.
Azeez Al-Shaair takes over the middle on a three-year contract worth $34 million.
Diggs, whom the Texans traded a 2025 second-round pick to the Buffalo Bills, will be a free agent next offseason, but he’ll earn $22.5 million for the upcoming campaign. And Joe Mixon was entering the final year of his deal before Caserio rewarded him with a three-year extension worth $27 million.
Sights head to the draft as the days to Detriot wind-down. The Texans won’t have don’t have a first-round pick after trading it to the Vikings, but there’s ample talent for positions of need in Rounds 2, 3, and 4. And Houston’s nine picks could be valuable in a trade-up or trade-down scenario, so don’t expect Caserio to stand pat given his track record.
What positions should Houston target at picks No. 42 and No. 59? Here’s a look at several areas of weakness and potential fits for the franchise.
(Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)
Perhaps the biggest head-scratcher of Houston’s offseason is its willingness to go cheap at the interior defensive tackle spot. Denico Autry will shift inside on pass-rushing downs, but he was a promising defensive end with the Titans last season. Fatukasi should replace Maliek Collins, but Mario Edwards Jr. likely won’t cut it in place of Sheldon Rankins.
While Texas stat Byron Murphy was a hot name for Houston at pick No. 23, he’s likely off the board before the end of the first round. There’s plenty of upside past him that should be in play in Round 2 and could even compete for starting reps by midseason.
Prospects to remember: Illinois’ Johnny Netwon, Florida State’s Braden Fiske, Texas’ T’Vondre Sweat, LSU’s Maason…
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