Keep Texans Talk Google Ad Free!
Venmo Tip Jar | Paypal Tip Jar
Thanks for your support! 🍺😎👍

2024 Free Agency

Has Folorunso Fatukasi officially signed? I haven't seen any contract terms and he's not listed on Overthecap.com.
 
Lol. That’s crazy. Megatron is in the conversation for the GOAT of WRs.
You can make a case that Harrison Jr. is more polished than Calvin Johnson coming out of college. You can also make a case that Johnson is the most physically gifted WR to come out of college (Moss and AJ might disagree). Either way, we're talking about one guy who has done it in a HOF manner, vs a great prospect that's never played a down in the NFL.
 
Jarrett Patterson played all but opener at LG per Chad Reuter. He didn’t give up a sack at ND at OC or OG.
Lots of really good college players suck in the NFL. Until he and/or Scruggs prove themselves on the field they are developmental and it’s risky counting on them to protect our franchise QB. Now if the coaches are happy with what they’ve seen it is what it is. We will see. I don’t believe we will ignore the need there at least one of LG or C. Again we will see. Steel blue has a point. These coaches deserve our trust at least until they prove otherwise. I’ve never felt this positive about this franchise as I do now. This is a nice feeling I’m going to sit back and enjoy it.
 
Clowney is an all time great example of a guy with every natural gift you could ask for in a job but none of the drive or discipline to use it to its full protentional. He was/is good at stopping the run but with his size and abilities he should have been Watt 2.0. I for one was happy to see him go and do not want him back on the team.
Not every natural gift, he has no bend, so he struggles to turn the corner. He's fast, & strong, but not quick & doesn't know how to use his hands. I don't think he'll ever do good against an elite Tackle. He'll do pretty good against the JAGs.
 
Until he and/or Scruggs prove themselves on the field they are developmental and it’s risky counting on them to protect our franchise QB
Scruggs and Patterson have played in the NFL, now. So there are data points. The Texans currently have another 5 interior linemen with similar resumes under contract competing with Scruggs and Patterson. What the team feels about this group going into 2024 is unknown.
 
Lots of really good college players suck in the NFL. Until he and/or Scruggs prove themselves on the field they are developmental and it’s risky counting on them to protect our franchise QB. Now if the coaches are happy with what they’ve seen it is what it is. We will see. I don’t believe we will ignore the need there at least one of LG or C. Again we will see. Steel blue has a point. These coaches deserve our trust at least until they prove otherwise. I’ve never felt this positive about this franchise as I do now. This is a nice feeling I’m going to sit back and enjoy it.

I think that adding a dynamic WR will do more for Stroud's health than upgrading a position on the OL. I certainly want better OL play. However, it was evident to me throughout the season that in games vs. good secondaries and/or in games when Nico, Tank, or Noah were out/hobbled. In those games, Stroud was forced to hold the ball because receivers couldn't separate.
 
I think that adding a dynamic WR will do more for Stroud's health than upgrading a position on the OL.
I'm not sure how you can definitely say that. How many targets do you think a rookie WR will see? If Howard is not available, how many snaps do you see a rookie RT getting? Frankly, I don't think the difference in impact for 2024 would be close.
 
Patterson has T-Rex arms - 31". Doesn't mean he can't play Guard, as shown by his senior year at ND, but his better position is at Center. Center will be position to keep an eye on during pre-season.
I agree however the combine evaluation by Lance Zerlines iirc, stated that he is short arms did not impact his ability. It certainly did not in college.
 
The emphasis on defense in free agency leads me to believe offense will be addressed in the draft. 1-23 should be an impact player, a WR. Because of the number of QBs that likely will be taken early, a WR will be pushed back to us. We may even use a 7 to move up a few spots.

RT is a priority, and IMO could be taken at 2-59. Or we could move up :
Kingsley Sabathia
Jordan Morgan
Patrick Paul
Blake Fisher
are prospects the Texans could be looking at in the 2nd.
 
Both Scruggs and Patterson showed enough in what they played last season that whoever wins the C position is worthy of the time to develop. If they don’t work out you move but you have to give time to develop there. At LG whichever of those doesn’t win at C goes into a battle with the 2 Green’s to win that job and, again, whoever wins that camp battle has shown enough to be given the space to develop.

At RT I think there is a case for drafting the right prospect at 23 depending on who is available and at what position. With Howard’s situation you have the potential to split time the way Duane Brown did in his rookie season and that worked out well. Is there a great prospect available who can do a year at right tackle and be an option to kick over to LT and give us the option to move on from Tunsil’s contract without trusting a rookie a year or 2 in the future? That would be an ideal scenario.
 
There's literal tons of bad ass WR prospects in this draft. Guys that can start will be had in the 3rd and possibly even 4th round.

Given that we have our top 2 WR's set, I feel like they go defense at #23 (or wherever Nick trades up/down to) and possibly again in the 2nd. It's too early in FA, so this is very fluid, but if the draft were today, I'd draft DT in the first and CB in the 2nd or vice versa. 3rd and 4th is dedicated to offense. A WR in the 3rd, a RB and TE who can block in the 4th, and then you can get a depth piece on the oline, and a couple of guys with a nod to ST - a S, LB, CB, etc.
 
Scruggs and Patterson have played in the NFL, now. So there are data points. The Texans currently have another 5 interior linemen with similar resumes under contract competing with Scruggs and Patterson. What the team feels about this group going into 2024 is unknown.
I agree, 100%. Think I said anything different.
 
There's literal tons of bad ass WR prospects in this draft. Guys that can start will be had in the 3rd and possibly even 4th round.

Given that we have our top 2 WR's set, I feel like they go defense at #23 (or wherever Nick trades up/down to) and possibly again in the 2nd. It's too early in FA, so this is very fluid, but if the draft were today, I'd draft DT in the first and CB in the 2nd or vice versa. 3rd and 4th is dedicated to offense. A WR in the 3rd, a RB and TE who can block in the 4th, and then you can get a depth piece on the oline, and a couple of guys with a nod to ST - a S, LB, CB, etc.

That makes sense. However, I am convinced (maybe because it is what I want) that Nick will DEFINITELY draft a WR/RB/ or TE (less likely) before our current 2nd round selection at 59.
 
The emphasis on defense in free agency leads me to believe offense will be addressed in the draft. 1-23 should be an impact player, a WR. Because of the number of QBs that likely will be taken early, a WR will be pushed back to us. We may even use a 7 to move up a few spots.

RT is a priority, and IMO could be taken at 2-59. Or we could move up :
Kingsley Sabathia
Jordan Morgan
Patrick Paul
Blake Fisher
are prospects the Texans could be looking at in the 2nd.
I agree but if we do not get a free agent starting corner across from Stingley, I could see pick 23 being involved in that position. We seem to be focused on the cap saving trade of Malik Collins in order to upgrade the defensive line. What if Ryans is looking at a trade for a corner?
 
The emphasis on defense in free agency leads me to believe offense will be addressed in the draft. 1-23 should be an impact player, a WR. Because of the number of QBs that likely will be taken early, a WR will be pushed back to us. We may even use a 7 to move up a few spots.

RT is a priority, and IMO could be taken at 2-59. Or we could move up :
Kingsley Sabathia
Jordan Morgan
Patrick Paul
Blake Fisher
are prospects the Texans could be looking at in the 2nd.
RT is a backup position. You can find anyone off the street to man that spot until Howard returns. Fant was average and he just got paid. Jones can manage that spot if needed. No need to dump another high pick on the oline
 
RT is a backup position. You can find anyone off the street to man that spot until Howard returns. Fant was average and he just got paid. Jones can manage that spot if needed. No need to dump another high pick on the oline

Some here are more obsessed than Swifties. If it was up to them, we'd draft 7 offensive lineman each year until we had 5 first team all-pros. And then they would still ***** and throw a hissy fit after every sack because, you know - the QB, WR, and TE or defense have nothing to do with sacks.

:brickwall::brickwall::brickwall:
 
The emphasis on defense in free agency leads me to believe offense will be addressed in the draft.
Except Demeco said he's looking to build an elite defense. DL anyway, we're a lot closer to that & a 1st round safety will go a long way to getting us there.
 
Looks to me like 4 of his sacks came against the poor Panthers/Texans OL. He did get sacks from the DT position mostly, which is what I expect him to be doing for the Texans, these sacks included were against the Browns/Falcons/Bengals who had good or better IOL's. He should be even better with WA and Hunter on the outside. If they can add Armstead then look out, there will be pressure coming from all different directions on the DL. This is what Ryans was talking about when he said he wanted to upgrade the front 7. Add in P. Wilson and the front 7 transformation would be complete.
 
Except Demeco said he's looking to build an elite defense. DL anyway, we're a lot closer to that & a 1st round safety will go a long way to getting us there.
I'm thinking add Armstead, drafting P. Wilson at 2-59 if they have to trade up 15-20 spots by trading away future picks and 3-85, you do it. Dudes a top 15 pick IMHO. The front 7 is dominant. Trade both of the 4ths to move up for Bo Melton, add a S (Diggs) and you have a deep/dominant defense.

Draft Thomas in the 1st and add the Packers RT in FA.

The money is there to do all of this. There should be enough money left over to extend Collins and if they come up a little short then go to the bank of Tunsil to get a deal done.
 
I agree however the combine evaluation by Lance Zerlines iirc, stated that he is short arms did not impact his ability. It certainly did not in college.
I dont know why anyone would take lance zerline's opinion as the bible and end all....the guy is known for regurgitating other peoples opinions and thoughts and it would be hard pressed to figure out what his opinion is.
 
I dont know why anyone would take lance zerline's opinion as the bible and end all....the guy is known for regurgitating other peoples opinions and thoughts and it would be hard pressed to figure out what his opinion is.
Well first of all I did not say that he is the end-all opinion. He is a source that I and others use. He used to be on this message board until people drove him away. He as any source, is just that a source of information.
 
I believe the Texans could afford to go BPA in the first two rounds. And I can see a scenario where the best players available, on the Texans board at least, will be WR/CB or CB/WR in rounds one and two. I don't think it would be wise to wait until the 86th overall pick for a WR or CB. Not if you're hoping to field two impact day 1 starters.
 
With things so much in flux right now, it's hard to pin down, but according to Spotrac, these are the Tackles currently signed to our roster :
Kilian Zierer....a 2023 UDFA
Jaylon Thomas....a 2023 UDFA
David Sharpe....just signed....did not have snaps in 2023 or 2022, had 67 snaps in 2021, had 184 snaps in 2020 with a pass blocking grade of 57.4 and a run blocking grade of 51.5

And then there is Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard.

Sorry to disagree with some of you, but this is why I think drafting a RT should be a high priority.
 
Last edited:

Armstead is a free agent now. The Texans have expressed interest in him, another source said, and likely could sign him to a deal that fits their cap situation.

But Houston has not made an official offer for Armstead, the source told the Chronicle. And Armstead is also expected to have interest from other teams — including the Bills, Titans and Lions — and could make a decision soon.

Which leads us to where will the Texans go next?

Among the free-agent defensive tackles available include Armstead, D.J. Reader, Teair Tart and Tim Settle Jr.

Reader, who began his career with the Texans before going to the Bengals, was reportedly set to visit the Lions this week. The Texans claimed Tart off waivers midseason from the Titans, but Tart never carved out a regular role in the rotation.

Settle started in 14 games for the Bills last season and played in all 17. He had nine tackles and one sack. His best year was in 2020, when he was with Washington, where he had five sacks and 18 tackles.

The Texans also have the No. 23 overall pick in the draft and could go that route. At least two defensive tackles should be available there — Missouri’s Darius Robinson and Illinois’ Johnny Newton.

Texas’ Byron Murphy II, arguably the top defensive tackle in this class, is expected to be off the board by the time the Texans pick at No. 23.

But the Texans could attempt to trade up.
 
With things so much in flux right now, it's hard to pin down, but according to Spotrac, these are the Tackles currently signed to our roster :
Kilian Zierer....a 2023 UDFA
Jaylon Thomas....a 2023 UDFA
David Sharpe....just signed....did not play in 2023 or 2022, had 67 snaps in 2021, had 184 snaps in 2020 with a pass blocking grade of 57.4 and a run blocking grade of 51.5

And then there is Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard.

Sorry to disagree with some of you, but this is why I think drafting a RT should be a high priority.
It is a priority, but you can get a servicable RT. Yosh Nijman from Green Bay is the swing OT I would look to bring in , in FA. He shouldn't cost more than 2 yrs, 9 mil, 6 guaranteed.
 
Well why hasn't that street guy been paid and announced?
The same way they gave up 0 sacks with backups vs the vaunted Steelers defense. When you have an elite qb/processor he will manage the oline unless they're straight turnstiles. Do you know who plays right tackle for KC or even LT? They can and have a highly paid RT on the mend.
 
Looks to me like 4 of his sacks came against the poor Panthers/Texans OL. He did get sacks from the DT position mostly, which is what I expect him to be doing for the Texans, these sacks included were against the Browns/Falcons/Bengals who had good or better IOL's. He should be even better with WA and Hunter on the outside. If they can add Armstead then look out, there will be pressure coming from all different directions on the DL. This is what Ryans was talking about when he said he wanted to upgrade the front 7. Add in P. Wilson and the front 7 transformation would be complete.
As if Armstead is a pass rusher
 
I believe the Texans could afford to go BPA in the first two rounds. And I can see a scenario where the best players available, on the Texans board at least, will be WR/CB or CB/WR in rounds one and two. I don't think it would be wise to wait until the 86th overall pick for a WR or CB. Not if you're hoping to field two impact day 1 starters.

They certainly could. However, I don't think they Nick works that way, and I don't think that is the plan. It seems clear to me that he and Demeco agreed on a plan that that involved building up the front 7 in free agency, with a specific plan for the draft (I believe they decided to come out of the draft with a dynamic receiving threat to add to last season's group). So, I would be shocked if they stuck at 23 and grabbed someone and stuck at 59 and grabbed someone. I think we will see movement at both spots, frankly, to go and get the guys they have identified.
 
Back
Top