The Houston Texans came into free agency in the mix for Saquon Barkley and Christian Wilkins. Unfortunately, they signed neither of them. However, they did make some additions today. Signing CB Lonnie Johnson Jr to return to Houston, division rival Denico Autry (two years/$20M), CB Mike Ford (two years/$4.5M), CB Jeff Okudah (one year deal worth a max of $6M), all according to Aaron Wilson. Let's take a look at the new additions.
Jeff Okudah
The former first-round pick by the Detroit Lions, Okudah has had a rough start to his career. After beginning his career with the Detroit Lions for the first three years, the Lions shipped him off to the Atlanta Falcons, where he started in nine games. He totaled 44 tackles and three passes defended last season.
Now, Okudah will get a shot to rejuvenate his career, and the Texans add the former Ohio State star to their secondary. Okudah will provide the team with excellent depth in a time when they are losing a handful of contributors in their secondary. Okudah is still only 25 years old, and joining the Texans gives him a perfect chance at reviving what once was a promising career.
Expect the Texans to continue adding to the position, as they could bring in a few more corners between now and the draft. When it's all said and done, the Texans will have Okudah competing for a roster spot during training camp, and he could have a legit shot at winning it.
Denico Autry
Autry comes over from the division rival Tennessee Titans, where he played for the last four seasons. Autry looks to have a starting role next to Maliek Collins after missing out on Christian Wilkins, and that isn't anything to be mad at. Last year, he had a career-high 11.5 sacks, with 50 tackles, 12 TFLs, and two forced fumbles.
Adding Autry on a $10M per year contract is a great value addition for the Texans. At 33 years old, this is a move for the present, as they keep looking towards the future with some of the other signings this year. The Texans try to stay in "win-now" mode while looking toward the long-term future of this franchise, and Autry is just the perfect signing for that to happen.
Autry began his career with the (then) Oakland Raiders in 2014, before going to the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, and now, the Texans. He has a career total of 310 tackles, 59 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and 31 pass deflections. If the Texans look towards the draft to add one now, Autry will be a great veteran presence for the young player to learn from.
Former teammate Jeffrey Simmons tweeted out his displeasure with losing his teammate to a rival, tweeting out "No way we let Nico go to the Texans". Simmons may be upset about it, but Texans fans should be ecstatic about this addition, who will look to continue his dominance to the Texans.
Lonnie Johnson Jr
The Texans bring back a familiar face, Lonnie Johnson Jr. Lonnie was a former second-round pick by the Texans in 2019. Johnson never panned out with the Texans, starting in 19 games over three seasons, seeing three INTs and 13 passes defended. Johnson wound up traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022 before being released there in August of that year. After that, he signed with the Tennessee Titans for the 2022 season, and the New Orleans Saints in 2023.
The Texans view their CB depth as razor thin, with Johnson at least getting them through the off-season and training camp as a serviceable member of the team. But, since they're going to keep adding to the position, Johnson is in a deep hole he has to climb himself out of. Until then, it's cool to see a reunion, but it may not last long. In his career, Johnson has totaled 192 tackles, four INTs, and 15 passes defended.
After these three additions, the Texans now have eight corners rostered, and they likely will carry two or three more corners into off-season activities. At 28 years old, this may be Johnson's last chance at an NFL roster spot.
Mike Ford
Ford comes over from the Cleveland Browns, where he spent one year with the team. He saw one start with the team, accumulating just 28 tackles and one INT. Throughout his four career stops (Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, and Detroit Lions), Ford has served mainly as a Special Teamer.
While that's likely his main role with the team, Ford's defensive experience gives him a leg up on guys like Lonnie Johnson and Jeff Okudah in the summer. A young team like the Texans views their veteran Special Teamer's, and they got a great player on a cheap contract. Caserio is finding free agents to come in and produce this year, and spending his money wisely. Ford, who can play multiple areas on the field, and Autry, who's a dominant rusher, and a run-stuffing tackle.
Ford had previously been playing on a one year/$1.5M deal in Cleveland. Now, given his experience in multiple positions in his last stop, Houston felt it was right to give him the proper pay raise. Ford not only provides a good special teams addition, but he'll be able to come in at corner when asked to and play very well. They've been valuing versatility in their secondary this off-season, and Ford is a clear example of that. Now, only one question remains. Who will their CB2 be?