Rating The 2024 Houston Texans Offseason
By this point, NFL free agency has been off and running, and the Houston Texans have made a number of key signings and contract extensions.
That said, let's look at some of the Texan's most important signings this season and give them a letter-grade rating.
Joe Mixon: A+
Mixon, who will turn 28 on July 24, holds an esteemed position in Bengals history. He currently ranks third in rushing yards, boasting an impressive 6,412 yards, and second in rushing touchdowns, with 49, just behind Pete Johnson's 64.
Since joining the NFL in 2017 as a second-round pick from Oklahoma (48th overall), Mixon has accumulated 6,412 career rushing yards, placing him fourth in the league for rushing yards during that timeframe.
Mixon has also demonstrated his receiving ability thus far, with 283 catches for 2,139 yards since 2017. The impressive RB will come to Houston with big expectations, but I have no doubt that he will be a threat to defenses around the league next season.
Danielle Hunter: A-
The elite Vikings edge rusher will join the Texans next season with a guaranteed two-year, $49 million contract. This hefty price tag may raise concerns about future signing moves, but with the addition of such an integral player, I have no doubt that this move will work out.
Hunter's presence considerably strengthens the Texans' pass rush. He brings an abundance of experience to the table, coming off an incredible season with the Vikings in which he recorded an astounding 16 sacks. Hunter's resume is impressive; he was selected to the second team of the 2018 Pro Bowl and has been a Pro Bowler four times.
Hunter strengthens the Texans' defensive lineup by partnering with defensive end Will Anderson Jr., named the Defensive Rookie of the Year. In 2023, the Texans broke the franchise record with 46 sacks, a major accomplishment for such a young team. Now that Hunter and several other noteworthy signings have strengthened the Texans' defense, they should be able to surpass that impressive mark.
Azeez Al-Shaair: B+
After an impressive 84 solo sacks season with the Titans, Al-Shaair will sign a two-year $34 million deal with the Texans.
Al-Shaair has already demonstrated his abilities under the guidance of his new coach, while Ryans was the defensive coordinator (2021–2022) and linebacker coach (2019–2020) with the San Francisco 49ers. Their professional careers will converge once again next season, meaning that the two might already have the chemistry.
I'm hesitant to rate this deal any higher due to (again) the hefty price tag and the fact that Al-Shaair has been inconsistent throughout his career. Additionally, Al-Shaair has had some difficulties in zone and man coverage, boasting a 107.5 passing rating when targeted.
Tommy Townsend: A
The Houston Texans signed former Kansas City Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend to a lucrative two-year contract worth $6 million on Monday, adding a top NFL punter to their roster.
Townsend's on-field prowess is evident from his stats. He was named to the Kansas City Chiefs' first-team All-Pro in 2022, the year they won the Super Bowl. In addition, Townsend placed 12th in the NFL with 41% of his punt returns inside the 20-yard line. He also led the league with an average net-punting yardage of 45.6.
When Cameron Johnston joined the Steelers, the Texans were looking for a good replacement, and Townsend seems like the perfect fit. His track record and skills indicate that he will fit right in with the Texans' special teams squad, providing consistency and efficiency in their punting strategy.
Dalton Schultz: B
On Tuesday, ESPN confirmed that the Houston Texans and Schultz had reached an agreement, finalizing a three-year contract worth $36 million.
The Texans opted to keep Schultz because he has a good relationship with NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year quarterback C.J. Stroud. They aim to provide their main QB with reliable targets, and it seems Stroud's influence played a role in Schultz's decision to stay. Schultz had a solid first year with the team, ranking third in receiving yards (635) and touchdowns (five).
My only concern with Schultz's resignation is the loss of 23-year-old TE Brevin Jordan down the line. Though he's dealt with limited snaps and injuries, disregarding Jordan's potential just doesn't sit right with me.
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