The Houston Texans concluded their 2023 NFL season on a rollercoaster note. They achieved a 10-7 record but faced a challenging playoff defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round. As the team gears up for the offseason, the focus shifts towards identifying early targets in free agency to fortify the roster.
The Texans experienced one of the NFL’s most surprising turnarounds in 2023. From a mere three victories the previous year, the team secured 10 wins, clinched a division title, and marked its first playoff appearance since 2019.
A dominant performance in the Wild Card round solidified Houston’s position as a legitimate threat in the AFC. The impressive transformation is credited to the coaching prowess of DeMeco Ryans and the outstanding rookie season of quarterback CJ Stroud. Now they have the potential to be a contender in the AFC South and possibly vie for a championship in the upcoming season. For sure, the Texans have laid a strong foundation. Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio now face the challenge of building upon this success by enhancing the roster during the offseason.
Houston strategically executed a plan to rapidly reverse the franchise’s fortunes. Caserio and Ryans concentrated on bolstering the team with seasoned veteran talent through short-term contracts. Sure, this approach swiftly elevated the roster. However, it does present the possibility of several key contributors becoming free agents in 2024.
Notable names are set to hit the open market in March. These include running back Devin Singletary, right tackle Charlie Heck, receiver Noah Brown, and tight end Dalton Schultz, among others.
Fortunately, Houston finds itself in a favorable position with a projected $74.1 million in cap space. This financial flexibility suggests the team can retain the majority of its existing players. Considering the significance of maintaining offensive cohesion around Stroud, priority may be given to players like Brown and Schultz. They demonstrated their value as quality starters.
