Just this year.... On paper at least, they've improved the O-line and secondary. But then, there was nowhere to go but up.
Oh and just WTF does "premium" mean anyway? ...formally on the Patriots??
LINK
Tyrann Mathieu, S
The Texans signed safety Tyrann Mathieu, who played the past five years for the Arizona Cardinals.....:
Grade: A. While the Texans made moves early in free agency, they hadn’t made a big splash, particularly considering how much money they had available to upgrade a roster that was plagued by injury in going 4-12 in 2017. Houston made that big move for a playmaker Friday night by signing Mathieu to a one-year, $7 million deal.
What it means: The Texans needed a strong safety to play along with Andre Hal next season, and they found that in Mathieu. The former LSU standout will start right away and should be a difference-maker if he can stay healthy. Mathieu has a nose for the ball and should help a Texans defense that tied for 21st last season with 11 interceptions.
Johnathan Joseph, CB
The Texans re-signed Joseph, who has played for them for the past seven season...
Grade: B. This grade depends a lot on whether the Texans add another cornerback to improve their secondary. Joseph was the Texans’ best corner last year, but he turns 34 in April. If this is the last move the Texans make at cornerback, then bringing back Joseph and adding slot corner Aaron Colvin may not be enough to solve their problems in the secondary.
What it means: Last season, the Texans’ passing defense took a big step back after losing cornerback
A.J. Bouye to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans are still in need of another veteran cornerback unless Houston believes 2015 first-round pick
Kevin Johnson, who finished ranked No. 121 out of 121 cornerbacks last season by Pro Football Focus, can have a resurgent year.
Zach Fulton, G
The Texans intend to sign Fulton, who played the past four years for the
Kansas City Chiefs. Here’s a closer look at the signing:
Grade: A. The Texans desperately needed an upgrade at guard in 2018 and they have that in Fulton. The former Chiefs lineman was Pro Football Focus’ 14th-ranked guard in 2017. By comparison, for the Texans last season, left guard Xavier Su’a-Filo ranked 75th and right guard
Jeff Allen ranked 69th.
What it means: The Texans have to do a better job protecting quarterback
Deshaun Watson next season, and Fulton joins former
Buffalo Bills tackle Seantrel Henderson as a step toward doing that. Fulton will likely replace Su’a-Filo, who struggled last season in Houston and is an unrestricted free agent. Last season, the Texans' offensive line allowed the second-most sacks in the NFL. After Houston traded starting left tackle
Duane Brown in Week 9, the line allowed 28 sacks, which was tied for most in the NFL in that span, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
What’s the risk: Fulton is not an injury risk, as he has missed only one game in his four-year NFL career. The lineman’s versatility makes him an attractive signing. The Texans have their starting center in
Nick Martin, but the third-year player is coming off ankle surgery. Martin is expected to be back for the regular season, but adding Fulton is good insurance at center as well.
Senio Kelemete, OG
The Texans signed guard Senio Kelemete, who played the past four seasons with the
New Orleans Saints.
Grade: B. The overhaul of the Texans' offensive line continued Wednesday with the addition of Kelemete. Kelemete was a part of the Saints’ line that led the NFL in yards per rush (4.7) and yards per pass attempt (8.1) last season, and the 27-year-old has a chance to compete for a starting spot in Houston.
What it means: The Texans once again went for versatility by adding Kelemete, who spent time at all five offensive-line positions in his four seasons with the Saints. The Texans have now added guards
Zach Fulton and Kelemete during free agency and have right guard
Jeff Allen on the roster. Those three will compete for the two guard spots, but if Kelemete plays well during OTAs and training camp, the Texans will find a place for him somewhere on the line.
Kelemete was Pro Football Focus’ 41st-ranked guard last season; Fulton ranked 14th. Both rated much higher than Allen (69th) or left guard
Xavier Su'a-Filo(75th), who is an unrestricted free agent.
What’s the risk: It’s hard to tell how much of a risk this is without knowing the terms of the contract; regardless, adding competition for the spots on the offensive line is a good thing for the Texans. Kelemete has stayed healthy throughout his career, missing just one game in the past three seasons while starting 22.
Aaron Colvin, CB
The Texans
intend to sign cornerback Aaron Colvin, who played the past four years for the
Jacksonville Jaguars. Here's a closer look at the signing:
Grade: A-minus. The Texans desperately needed to upgrade their secondary after the group's fall from the No. 1 passing defense in 2016 to 24th last season. Adding Colvin doesn't mean Houston is done adding at cornerback and this move is a step in the right direction to improving Romeo Crennel's defense.
What it means: The Texans entered the offseason with
Kareem Jackson, 2015 first round pick
Kevin Johnson and 2017 fifth-round pick
Treston Decoud at cornerback as their best corner a year ago,
Johnathan Joseph, is a free agent. Colvin is a slot cornerback, which is the position that Jackson, 29, played primarily for Houston. Bill O'Brien has praised Jackson for his versatility, so it's possible Houston could move the longtime Texans player to safety next season. According to Pro Football Focus, Colvin was the 47th-ranked cornerback in 2017, which was higher than any Texans player at that position.