Texans' 2025 Free Agents, Targets and Draft Needs After NFL Playoff Loss
It would seem that the Houston Texans hit a couple of home runs in 2023 when they hired head coach DeMeco Ryans and drafted quarterback C.J. Stroud. While Stroud did experience a bit of a sophomore slump this year—and Houston was forced to overcome several key injuries—the Texans were repeat AFC South champions for the first time since 2019.
A dominant defense then led the Texans to a decisive wild-card win over the Los Angeles Chargers before they fell to the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday.
The future in Houston remains extremely bright. However, general manager Nick Caserio has some work ahead of him if the Texans hope to continue pushing toward a championship. Injuries can only be blamed for so much, and Houston is no longer taking teams by surprise, as it did in 2023.
Now that the Texans' 2024-25 postseason run has ended, the challenge of building a stronger roster begins. Let's examine Houston's impending free agents, biggest needs and potential offseason targets.
Free Agents
Unrestricted Free Agents
DE Derek Barnett
CB Kris Boyd
WR Stefon Diggs
DE Mario Edwards
DT Folorunso Fatukasi
G Kendrick Green
LB Neville Hewitt
DE Jerry Hughes
WR Diontae Johnson
S Eric Murray
QB Case Keenum
RB Dare Ogunbowale
CB Jeff Okudah
LB Del'Shawn Phillips
S M.J. Stewart
LS Jon Weeks
WR Robert Woods
Restricted/Exclusive-Rights Free Agents
LB Jake Hansen
DT Kurt Hinish
TE Dalton Keene
G Zach Thomas
With just $14.1 million in projected 2025 cap space, Caserio could have some difficult decisions upcoming. Many of Houston's impending free agents are role players, but a few starters—including safety Eric Murray, defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi and receiver Stefon Diggs—have been starters when healthy.
Diggs might provide the toughest call. He was acquired in a trade that cost Houston a 2025 second-round pick. He played well, tallying 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games, but suffered a torn ACL in late October.
There's no telling when or if Diggs will be back to 100 percent, and he'll turn 32 during the 2025 season. Allowing him to depart may be the best course of action, though it could leave Houston with questionable receiver depth.
Tank Dell suffered a torn ACL in Week 16, and both Robert Woods and recent addition Diontae Johnson are set to be free agents.
Backup quarterback Case Keenum is also set to reach free agency. He's spent the past two years in Houston and started a pair of games in 2022, though he probably won't be an offseason priority. He spent this season on injured reserve, and Davis Mills is signed through 2025.
The good news is that most of Houston's core players—including Stroud, wideout Nico Collins, edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr. and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.—will be under contract for at least the next couple of years. The Texans may accept some roster turnover and look to continue building through the draft.
Potential Free-Agent/Trade Targets
Injuries were part of the problem in 2024, but poor offensive line play, especially along the interior, might have been an even bigger issue. Opposing defenses caught up to Stroud and with limited time in the pocket, the second-year quarterback struggled to counter.
Stroud was sacked 52 times during the regular season and then eight times in the Texans' loss to the Chiefs in the Divisional round.
The Texans appear to have a fairly solid tackle tandem in Laremy Tunsil and rookie second-rounder Blake Fisher—though Tunsil drew far too many penalties in 2024. However, it would behoove Houston to find upgrades at guard.
Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith would be an ideal addition, though Houston probably doesn't have the cap space needed to make a play. Chicago Bears guard Teven Jenkins might be a more realistic target.
Houston could also use additional depth in the secondary, along the defensive line and at receiver. However, their cap situation will likely leave the Texans eyeing reclamation projects and budget free agents like cornerback Eric Stokes, safety Ashtyn Davis, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Don't expect the Texans to chase big-name free agents like Tee Higgins or Charvarius Ward unless they generate substantially more cap flexibility.
Caserio probably won't be overly aggressive on the trade market either, though if a solid player on a rookie contract—like receiver George Pickens or cornerback DaRon Bland—were to become available for whatever reason, he could pounce.
Overall, though, fans should probably expect a fairly quiet foray into free agency a year after Houston took an aggressive approach.
Draft Targets
Draft weekend is when fans can expect Houston to make its biggest splashes. While the Texans did trade a second-round pick for Diggs, it was a selection they acquired from Minnesota in last year's trade out of Round 1.
In all, the Texans are projected to have only five selections, but they'll hold picks in Rounds 1-4.
Houston's draft strategy will likely hinge on what Caserio is able to do in the early stages of the offseason. If he's able to solidify the offensive line, he may take a best-player-available approach and consider prospects like Missouri receiver Luther Burden III, Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts, Marshall edge-rusher Mike Green and Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon.
If the Texans still need offensive line help entering the draft, that'll probably be priority No. 1. The Bleacher Report Scouting Department paired Houston with Alabama lineman Tyler Booker in its post-regular season mock draft.
"Booker is one of the surest things in this O-line class in terms of his profile and projection to the NFL and Houston has to secure reinforcements up front after a shockingly bad season up front," Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department said.
Even if the Texans find line help in free agency, doubling down on interior blockers would be far from the worst idea.
Expect the Texans to seek cornerback, defensive line and receiver depth on Day 2, with prospects like Texas receiver Isaiah Bond, LSU corner Zy Alexander, Kentucky defensive lineman Deone Walker and Miami receiver Xavier Restrepo drawing interest.
It wouldn't be a total shock to see Houston target a running back fairly early either. Dare Ogunbowale is an impending free agent. Joe Mixon will turn 29 in July and could be a cap casualty in 2026.
If a running back prospect like Michigan's Kalel Mullings or Clemson's Phil Mafah is available in Round 3 or 4, he may end up in Houston's backfield.
*Cap, contract and free-agent status information via Spotrac. Draft information via Tankathon