The Houston Texans were aggressive last week as free agency opened, making a number of signings and adding to the team both on offense and defense, as they build toward DeMeco Ryans first season at the helm as head coach.
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The Houston Texans were aggressive last week as free agency opened, making a number of signings and adding to the team both on offense and defense, as they build toward DeMeco Ryans first season at the helm as head coach.
The Texans started free agency by signing veteran wide receiver Robert Woods to a two-year deal, in a move that will be good both for a new young quarterback that will likely be starting next year and that fits into Bobby Slowik’s system.
Woods is a great safety blanket for a quarterback and has played in the offensive system that the Texans will be employing, and he has a strong reputation as a run blocker. He comes off a season though where he only finished with 527 yards, which was the least amount of yards he’s had in a single season. The Texans also signed Noah Brown to a one-year deal after he had a productive season for the Cowboys, catching 43 passes for 555 yards and three touchdowns, they join a receiving corps that incudes Nico Collins and Amari Rodgers.
Along with that the Texans made a move to improve their offensive line, which was a unit that struggled last season, as they traded a sixth round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Shaq Mason, who was one of the best pass protecting lineman in the league last season. Mason had over a 92% win rate in pass blocking while also being strong in the run game, winning 70% of his run blocks.
The Texans also brought back a former Houston starter, but this time to back up whoever they go with in the draft, as the franchise signed Case Keenum to a two year deal worth $6.25 million. Keenum started his career with the Texans and has lots of experience in the west coast system, he will be a good backup that will bring experience and veteran leadership to the position as the Texans hope he can help along a young draft pick.
Defensively, the Texans made a number of strong moves, with the biggest being signing former first round draft pick Sheldon Rankins to a one year deal. The veteran defensive tackle played in a system much like DeMeco Ryans with the Jets in New York. Rankins was strong with run defense last season, a huge area of need for the Texans, who had the worst rush defense in the league last season, but he hasn’t been the strongest pass rusher the past few season. The Texans also brought in Jimmie Ward, who played under the 49ers under Ryans. Ward played in a number of different types of positions in the system and had a strong year last season helping San Francisco reach the NFC Championship game. Ward has missed time with injuries though and the Texans will need a solid backup for him. The Texans also resigned Eric Murray and signed Hassan Ridgeway and Andrew Beck as they continue to make moves before the draft starts.