Free agency has swept through the NFL and the Houston Texans were one of the busiest teams. Determined to reshape and upgrade the roster, Houston brought in 18 new players via waivers, signings, and trades. They also re-signed seven of their own, extended Laremy Tunsil, and traded Brandin Cooks to the Cowboys. Now that the dust has settled, it's time to grade all of the moves made during free agency.
Re-signed Jon Weeks, Long Snapper
1 year, $1,317,500
Grade: B+
Special Teams was one of the lone bright spots for the Texans last season. Re-signing Weeks keeps continuity for the unit.
Signed Kendall Sheffield, Cornerback
1 year, $1,010,000
Grade: C
Sheffield isn't going to set the world on fire in Houston, but he's a decent addition as a depth nickel corner and special teamer.
Re-signed Taylor Stallworth, Defensive Tackle
1 year, $1,232,500
Grade: C-
A minimal role player on the defensive line, he seems to be a camp body signing. The Texans may have been better served bringing in a fresh face instead.
Claimed E.J. Perry, Quarterback, from the Jacksonville Jaguars
Grade: C
Perry is depth for the offseason and not much more than that.
Re-signed Scott Quessenberry, Center
1 year, $1,232,500
Grade: F
This is a terrible signing. Quessenberry was one of the worst centers, if not the worst, in football last season. Houston better draft their starting center or there is going to be a massive hole right in the middle of the line.
Signed Robert Woods, Wide Receiver
2 years, $15,250,000
Grade: B-
A solid get at the wide receiver position, Woods can provide veteran leadership while hopefully regaining the form he had from 2018-2020 with the Rams.
Re-signed M.J. Stewart, Safety
2 years, $6,000,000
Grade: B
A special team's standout, ranking in the top 10 last season. This keeps a special team's ace on the roster and also allows Stewart the opportunity to push for more playing time at safety in camp.
Re-signed Derek Rivers, Defensive End
1 year, $990,000
Grade: C-
Another minimal role player on the defensive line who is seemingly a camp body signing. Again, the Texans may have been better served bringing in a fresh face instead.
Traded for Shaq Mason, Guard, with Tampa Bay.
The Texans receive Shaq Mason and a seventh-round pick in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
Grade: A
Mason is a top-tier guard and the Texans had to give up minimal draft capital to land him. Houston gets a steal here and instantly upgrades their offensive line.
Signed Chase Winovich, Defensive End
1 year, $2,000,000
Grade: B-
This is a low-risk, high-upside deal. Winovich hasn't lived up to the hype since being drafted in the third round but provides depth in the defensive line rotation.
Re-signed Tavierre Thomas, Cornerback
1 year, $2,250,000
Grade: B+
Thomas showed playmaking ability in limited snaps this past year. He provides solid depth at cornerback, which is great to have especially come training camp.
Signed Noah Brown, Wide Receiver
1 year, $2,600,000
Grade: C+
After a career-best season in Dallas, Brown comes to Houston on a one-year deal. Brown has good size at 6' 2" and 225 lbs making him a decent red-zone threat. He's another player who adds experience to the wide receiver position.
Signed Mike Boone, Running Back
2 years, $3,100,000
Grade: C-
Boone is a depth signing on a team that had a need for a legitimate number two back. He does not fit that bill and $3 million is a lot of money for a reserve running back. Houston could have drafted a better running back late in the draft or grabbed one as an undrafted free agent to fill the role.
Signed Hassan Ridgeway, Defensive Tackle
1 year, $3,250,000
Grade: B-
The first San Francisco player to come to Houston is Ridgeway. He's a rotational interior pass rusher who will provide much-needed depth for the Texans.
Re-signed Tremon Smith, Cornerback
2 years, $5,500,000
Grade: B
Depth, versatility, and playmaking ability are always in demand. Tremon Smith showed both versatility and playmaking ability this season playing both on defense and special teams. The Texans were smart to bring him back on a cheap two-year deal.
Signed Andrew Beck, Fullback/Tight End
2 years, $6,250,000
Grade: A
An underrated component of the 49er's offense over the past six seasons is the use of a fullback. Kyle Juszczyk is a consistent playmaker and the Texans were going to need someone to fill that role under new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. Andrew Beck is a former tight end who converted to fullback last season in Denver and excelled. He can be a versatile weapon in the backfield and at tight end, as well as a good lead blocker.
Signed Case Keenum, Quarterback
2 years, $6,250,000
Grade: C+
Case Keenum comes back home to Houston on a two-year deal. He's a solid backup who can mentor whoever is taken at No. 2 in the draft.
Signed Sheldon Rankins, Defensive Tackle
1 year, $10,500,000
Grade: B
Rankins is an instant upgrade and slots in as an immediate starter on the interior. A stout run defender who will be familiar with the defensive scheme after playing for Robert Saleh last season.
Signed Jimmie Ward, Safety
2 years, $13,000,000
Grade: A
A versatile and talented player, the Texans get him at an extremely reasonable price. He'll most likely be a starting safety but has also played the nickel corner position. He's familiar with the system coming from San Francisco and will be one of the leaders of this defense. It would not be a surprise to see him as one of the captains next season.
Texans extend Left Tackle Laremy Tunsil
3 years, $75,000,000
Grade: A
Seeing the money being thrown at premier offensive linemen this offseason, the Texans were wise to lock up Tunsil through 2026. He's in his prime and is a top-ten left tackle in the NFL, so prioritizing him was a must. Fans can breathe easier knowing he'll be protecting the next franchise QB's blindside for years to come.
Texans trade Wide Receiver Brandin Cooks to the Dallas Cowboys
Texans receive a 2023 fifth-round pick and a 2024 sixth-round pick.
Grade: D
The return was poor for Cooks, plus the Texans are retaining $6,000,000 of his $18,000,000 salary. This type of return felt inevitable since Cooks took away any leverage the Texans would have had by demanding a trade; however, Houston should have held firm for a better return. Holding onto Cooks until the draft may have served them better, as a team who missed out on a top-tier wideout may have come calling.
Signed Devin Singletary, Running Back
1 year, $3,750,000
Grade: A+
I did not think the Texans would've had a shot to steal Singletary away from Buffalo. He's been a durable and productive running back every season for the Bills. An exceptional signing, he fills in perfectly as a number two back behind Dameon Pierce.
Signed Dalton Schultz, Tight End
1 year, $9,000,000
Grade: A+
What a signing by GM Nick Caserio! The top tight end in free agency lands in Houston, and brings along top-ten production. The Texans have needed a true number-one tight end since Owen Daniels and finally get one on an extremely reasonable deal.
Signed Corey Littleton, Linebacker
1 year, $2,700,000
Grade: B
Littleton is a former Pro Bowler who is a special teams ace. He'll provide good depth and make a strong special teams unit even stronger.
Signed Michael Deiter, Guard/Center
1 year, $1,232,000
Grade: C-
Another headscratcher at the center position. The former 2019 third-round pick didn't get any playing time last season except on special teams and won't fill the massive void in the center of the line. The signings so far make it even more important that the Texans draft a center.
Signed Denzel Perryman, Linebacker
1 year, $3,500,000
Grade: A
A smart singing by the Texans on a team-friendly deal. Perryman is a former Pro Bowler that had his season end early last year due to a season-ending shoulder injury. He's a tackling machine and this signing is a homerun if he regains his form.
Signed Steven Sims, Wide Receiver
1 year, $1,700,000
Grade: B-
Another low-cost high upside signing. Sims has shown flashes of his potential and is a dangerous kick returner. More depth and special teams help, which is not a bad thing.