Winners and Losers of NFL Free Agency in the 2023 offseason
2023 NFL Free Agency Winners: Houston Texans
The Texans’ offseason has been a bit of an overachievement, and new Head Coach DeMeco Ryans and the Texans’ front office have assembled a solid team around the quarterback that they will select with the second pick.
That quarterback will most likely be Bryce Young, who has question marks about his size but is great at diagnosing what is presented to him on the field. Up to this point, Houston has done a great job of surrounding its soon-to-be signal caller with solid weaponry.
Offensively, the Texans have brought in Robert Woods, Dalton Schultz, and Devin Singletary, while retaining left tackle Laremy Tunsil with a three-year, $75 million contract that includes $50 million guaranteed. Houston also traded for veteran guard Shaq Mason, which will be a major boost to the interior offensive line.
Trading Brandin Cooks may be viewed as a mostly negative move, but Cooks wanted to move on, and the Texans collected a third- and a fifth-round pick from the Cowboys in exchange for the 29-year-old wideout. Houston needs to continue to build the offensive line, in addition to other needs on the roster. That trade allows the Texans to do just that. Also, Houston will be getting John Metchie back this season after the then-rookie receiver was battling leukemia for the entirety of 2022, but thankfully, Metchie has been making great strides in his battle with cancer.
The 22-year-old receiver provides a lot of promise for this Texans’ offense. He will also replace Cooks as the field stretcher for this offense. Not to mention, Houston has the Browns’ first-round pick, which is 12th overall. I expect the Texans to grab another wideout like Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Quentin Johnston. That is a very competent wide receiver corps for the incoming rookie quarterback.
It was obvious that Ryans, a defensive mind, was going to solidify the defense. Jimmie Ward, who played under Ryans with the 49ers, has joined the head coach in Houston. The 31-year-old safety will bring leadership and stability to the Texans’ defense. In addition, the Texans beefed up the front seven with the signings of Sheldon Rankins, Chase Winovich, and Corey Littleton.
This will be an intriguing team in 2023, and with the Titans and Colts in limbo heading into the draft, the Texans could be in contention for finishing second in the AFC South. Houston is probably still a few years away from competing for the playoffs in a loaded AFC, but this is a good start to the construction of the roster. It will be intriguing what the Texans decide to do in the draft.