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Texans To Sign LB Azeez Al-Shaair

March 11th, 2024 at 6:32pm CST by Ben Levine

After being a rumored target of the Texans last offseason, Azeez Al-Shaair has finally landed in Houston. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Texans have agreed to a three-year deal with the linebacker. The contract is worth $34MM.

This move reunites Al-Shaair with DeMeco Ryans, who was the defensive coordinator when the duo was in San Francisco. Considering that connection, the linebacker seemed like a logical target for the Texans when Ryans was hired last offseason. Instead, Al-Shaair joined the Titans on a one-year deal.

Al-Shaair had a career-year in Tennessee, starting all 17 games of a season for the first time. He also matched career-highs in sacks (2.0) and tackles for loss (9) while setting new highs in quarterback hits (6) and total tackles (163). Al-Shaair had, by far, the most snaps on the Titans defense last year and now leaves the defense in the hands of Jack Gibbens, who is an exclusive rights free agent and the only other inside linebacker on the team with more than 100 snaps last year. Expect Tennessee to pursue some linebacker help in free agency and the draft.

In Houston, Al-Shaair fills one of the holes left by the departure of Blake Cashman to Minnesota and the likely departure of Denzel Perryman in free agency. With those two likely gone, Al-Shaair should slot in as a starter next to Christian Harris. Henry To’oTo’o should have an opportunity to start with them in his sophomore season, but Houston may continue to browse for a strong third starter.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

Texans Expected To Sign DE Denico Autry

March 11th, 2024 at 3:04pm CST by Ben Levine

Houston’s defensive rebuilding efforts continue. The Texans are expected to add defensive end Denico Autry, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The deal is two years in length and is worth $20MM, colleague Tom Pelissero adds. $10.5MM is guaranteed.

Autry spent the past three seasons with the Texans’ division rivals in Tennessee. The pass-rusher originally joined the Titans in 2021, signing a three-year, $21.5MM deal. Entering his age-34 season, Autry was able to top that AAV during his latest trip to free agency.

The defensive lineman started 33 of his 46 appearances for the Titans, averaging more than nine sacks per season. This included a 2023 campaign where the veteran finished with a career-high 11.5 sacks to go along with 50 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles. Despite the counting stats, Autry only ranked 78th among 112 qualifying edge defenders this past season, per Pro Football Focus.

Prior to his stint with the Titans, Autry spent time with the Raiders and Colts. He has 59 sacks on his resume, and he’s added another four sacks in five career playoff games.

Texans, CB Jeff Okudah Agree To Deal; Team To Add CB Mike Ford

March 11th, 2024 at 2:55pm CST by Ben Levine

Jeff Okudah has a deal in place with the Texans. The former first-round corner is set to join Houston, as first reported by Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. The one-year deal is worth $4.75MM with $2.5MM guaranteed, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 adds.

Veteran corner Mike Ford is also on his way to Houston. Ford will receive $4.5MM on a two-year deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The third-overall pick in the 2020 draft, Okudah struggled during his time in Detroit. He started six of his nine appearances as a rookie before a ruptured Achilles tendon limited him to only one game in 2021. He managed to get into 15 games for the Lions in 2022, finishing with 73 tackles and one interception.

He was shipped to the Falcons last offseason for a fifth-round pick, and Okudah once again struggled to carve out a consistent role. He started nine of his 13 appearances in Atlanta, finishing with 44 tackles.

Ford also got his start in Detroit and was teammates with Okudah in 2020. The former UDFA has bounced around the NFL in recent years, spending time with the Broncos, Falcons, and Browns over the past three years. He started only one of his 16 appearances in Cleveland this past season, finishing with 28 tackles.

Texans To Bring Back CB Lonnie Johnson Jr.

March 11th, 2024 at 1:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

Lonnie Johnson Jr. started his career with the Texans, and he will now return to Houston. The veteran corner is signing a one-year deal, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. Johnson himself confirmed talks on a new Saints deal did not produce an agreement.

This comes after the former second-round pick has bounced around. The Texans traded Johnson to the Chiefs in 2022. After the Chiefs cut him, he finished that season on the Titans. Last year, Johnson served as a Saints backup.

Working as both a cornerback and a safety during his career, Johnson has spent more time with the Texans compared to any other team. The former No. 54 overall pick — during Brian Gaine‘s second and final draft as GM — has played 44 games with Houston. The Texans used Johnson as a starter in 19 of those, but the Kentucky product — now 28 — has settled onto the backup tier. The Titans and Saints did not use Johnson as a starter at any point.

The Saints used Johnson on 76% of their special teams plays last season. The Texans have Derek Stingley Jr. and the recently re-signed Desmond King in place at corner. Another Steven Nelson deal is on the radar as well. This will be an interesting homecoming for Johnson, though new front office and coaching staffs are in place this time around.

RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/10/24

March 10th, 2024 at 10:20pm CST by Ely Allen

During a busy day of transactions and headlines, teams still had time for a few free agent tender decisions:

RFAs

Non-tendered:

ERFAs

Tendered:

Non-tendered:

While Stoll, one of Philadelphia’s top backup tight ends, is not being tendered by the Eagles, the team has reportedly not ruled out a return. Similarly, Cox, Gore, Harris, Arnold, and Sims will all join Bowden in free agency, though the door remains open for their returns, as well.

Texans Likely To Pursue Tony Pollard, D’Andre Swift; Team Looking To Retain Sheldon Rankins, Steven Nelson

March 10th, 2024 at 9:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Nick Caserio has bargain-shopped at running back since taking over. Veterans Phillip Lindsay, Mark Ingram, Rex Burkhead and Devin Singletary have been among the low-cost options to stop through Houston during the GM’s three-year tenure. The team looks to be aiming a bit higher this year, though it is unclear how much higher.

Saquon Barkley-Texans interest surfaced recently, and KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reiterates the Giants running back’s reciprocated interest in a Houston deal. The Texans, however, are expected to pursue several running backs; Tony Pollard and D’Andre Swift are among the targets, according to Wilson.

Pollard and Swift are unlikely to cost what Barkley will. The two-time Giants Pro Bowler is expected to be this year’s most expensive back, and his market could well surpass $10MM per year. That may be too rich for the Giants, who had been expected to make an offer but had not done so as of this week. Barkley’s contract will provide a key update on modern RB value, whereas Pollard and Swift figure to be more affordable.

While Barkley had banked more than $48MM between his rookie contract and a 2023 franchise tag, Pollard saw his value hindered by the Cowboys’ tag decision last year. Pollard made just more than $3MM on his rookie deal and $10.1MM on the tag. Based on his 2022 Pro Bowl showing, the former fourth-round pick would have generated a better market last year. Pollard was less impressive as the Cowboys’ go-to back. He produced fewer scrimmage yards (1,316) than in 2022 and saw his yards-per-carry number crater from 5.2 to 4.0 despite Dallas rolling out a three-All-Pro O-line. Still, Pollard has been a versatile player and a key cog in an explosive Dallas offense; as of Sunday, the Cowboys are also not ruling out another agreement with their dual-threat performer.

Swift has also shown ability as a receiver and runner, impressing through the air in Detroit while being more of a ground option in Philadelphia. Following a trade from the Lions last year, Swift seized the Eagles’ starting job in Week 2 and did not miss any games. That marked new territory for Swift, who had battled through nagging injuries in Detroit. Swift posted his first 1,000-yard rushing season — yes, with a top-tier Eagles O-line — and earned a Pro Bowl invite. At 25, he is also two years younger than Pollard.

Singletary leapfrogged Dameon Pierce on Houston’s depth chart last season, establishing new career-high marks in carries (216) and rushing yards (898). The ex-Bills third-rounder, who signed for just $1.77MM last year, displayed his usual durability in helping the Texans to the playoffs. He is expected to generate outside interest, with Wilson adding it is not a lock the 5-foot-7 back returns. Though, the former third-round pick expressed interest in staying near the end of the season. The Texans were believed to share that interest, but they look to have expanded their options as RBs are set to flood the market.

The Texans are interested in bringing back both Sheldon Rankins and Steven Nelson, Wilson adds. Rankins signed a one-year, $9.75MM deal in 2023, coming over from the Jets, who were interested in re-signing him. The former Saints first-rounder ranked seventh among interior D-linemen in pass rush win rate, totaling six sacks — his most since 2018 — and 10 QB hits. Rankins’ fit could certainly depend on how long the Texans stay in the Christian Wilkins sweepstakes.

Nelson has been a Texans CB starter for the past two years. Nelson intercepted a career-high four passes; he added a pick-six against Joe Flacco in the team’s wild-card win. Nelson turned 31 earlier this year, which should limit his market. Though, most of the top CBs on this year’s market are in their late 20s or early 30s.

Denzel Perryman would like to be part of the Texans’ 2024 equation, Wilson adds. His market did not produce much last year, however; the ex-Chargers second-rounder started 11 games and made 76 tackles. The Texans will need to make one move at linebacker, at least, with Blake Cashman also on the doorstep of free agency. Azeez Al-Shaair, who played for DeMeco Ryans in San Francisco, also has interest in coming to Houston.

Texans To Sign DT Foley Fatukasi

March 10th, 2024 at 3:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

Named as a suitor for the top defensive tackle set to hit free agency, the Texans will make a lower-end addition at the position. Foley Fatukasi has agreed to a one-year deal with Houston, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports.

Fatukasi was released by the Jaguars last week in a move which ended his two-year run with the team. Suitors emerged rather quickly, though, and the Texans were among those which hosted him on a visit. The run-stop specialist did not need to wait until free agency to land a deal, and he has found a new home in short order.

After a four-year run with the Jets on his rookie deal, the 29-year-old landed a $30MM pact with Jacksonville. Fatukasi did not develop into an impact pass-rusher during his time as a Jaguar, though, leading to the team’s decision to move on with one year left on his pact. He will now aim to maintain a starting role as part of Houston’s defensive line, a unit which has been the source of speculation related to a major addition.

The Texans loom as a potential suitor for Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins. With Chris Jones having landed a monster re-up with the Chiefs, Wilkins comfortably sits atop the list of the best interior defenders who will reach the open market this week. Houston could still be aggressive in pursuing a deal with the former first-rounder, but if that falls short the team will have an experienced rotational option at a minimum in the form of Fatukasi.

Houston entered Sunday with almost $63MM in cap space, so a (presumably) low-cost Fatukasi deal will not tangibly limit the team’s spending power at the position. The Texans will not have Sheldon Rankins in place next season, something which will limit them from an interior pass-rushing perspective as things stand. Fatukasi will help in the run defense department, though, as he makes an intra-divisional move.

Chargers, Ravens, Bears Among “Serious Suitors” For Saquon Barkley

March 10th, 2024 at 10:01am CST by Rory Parks

Running back Saquon Barkley is one of the highest-profile free agents in this year’s cycle, and there have been plenty of rumors concerning his next destination already. Some of those rumors may be solidifying into something more concrete.

Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com spoke with more than a dozen managers, executives, coaches, scouts, and agents, and while there was of course some variation in their responses, most expected that Barkley would land a contract worth $10MM per year, with a three-year, $30MM pact a seemingly likely outcome.

Given the notoriously stagnant running back market, it is fair to wonder whether any team would be willing to cough up that kind of money to an RB with a concering injury history who is coming off a season in which he posted a 3.9 YPC rate. However, the consensus among Raanan’s sources was that Barkley is good enough to warrant an eight-figure-per-year deal, with one pro personnel director saying, “if he was in San Francisco, he would be Christian McCaffrey. He hasn’t had an offensive line, ever, in New York.”

So, while Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reported that the Giants are among the teams that do not see value in authorizing a $10MM+ AAV for a running back, it seems there will be at least one other club willing to make that kind of commitment for a player with Barkley’s ability. Per Raanan, the Chargers, Ravens, and Bears are among the most serious suitors for Barkley’s services.

The Chargers are something of a curious fit here. After all, the cap-strapped outfit is allowing its own multi-threat RB, Austin Ekeler, test the market and is reportedly willing to entertain trades for some of its best players in order to alleviate its salary cap issues.

The Ravens are more of a logical suitor. Previous reports have suggested the team will prioritize a running back addition, and given the importance of the ground game to Baltimore’s offensive attack, a notable contract for an RB is more justifiable for the Ravens than it would be for many teams. That is especially true in light of the fact that Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell — who suffered an ACL tear in Week 15 — are the only two backs currently under club control.

The Bears, meanwhile, are likely to trade quarterback Justin Fields and draft Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick. Having a QB1 on a rookie contract affords a team luxuries that it might not otherwise enjoy, and a splurge for a running back who is also adept as a receiver and who can therefore take the pressure off a young signal-caller in multiple ways makes plenty of sense.

While recent reports hinting at a Barkley-Eagles marriage were intriguing because of Philadelphia’s intra-divisional rivalry with the Giants, Raanan says neither the Eagles nor the Cowboys, another NFC East foe, are likely to meet Barkley’s asking price. Both of those teams may have RB needs, but they both seem prepared to fill those needs via a different tier of the market. Dan Graziano of ESPN.com agrees that Dallas will unlikely get involved in the Barkley sweepstakes unless he is willing to settle for a $5MM-$6MM AAV, though a Tony Pollard re-up remains in play (subscription required).

A February report indicated that the Texans were Barkley’s preferred destination. With respect to Houston’s involvement, Raanan merely writes that the club is rumored to have interest.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/9/24

March 9th, 2024 at 10:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s minor moves:

Houston Texans

Retired

The Texans’ efforts to retain several key contributors includes both Boyd and Davis landing new deals, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. The former joined Houston after he was released by the Cardinals in October. Boyd made a pair of appearances with the Texans, playing almost exclusively on special teams. Davis, meanwhile, earned an extended Houston stay after logging a 41% defensive snap share and recording two sacks in his debut Texans campaign. After playing for three teams in as many years, the 27-year-old will have a degree of stability in 2024.

Scarbrough entered the league as a Cowboys seventh-rounder in 2018, but it was one year later (and with the Lions) that he made his regular season debut. The Alabama alum received 89 carries that season, and followed it up with a much smaller workload in 2020 with the Seahawks. After not seeing any further NFL action, the 29-year-old was set to play with the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions (the team with which he won a pair of USFL titles) this spring. Instead, he has elected to hang up his cleats.

Texans Finalizing Deal With CB Desmond King

March 9th, 2024 at 6:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

Taking care of a number of their own pending free agents on Saturday, the Texans are set to have a key member of their defense and special teams in the fold for 2024. Houston is finalizing a new deal with slot corner and returner Desmond King, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports.

[RELATED: Texans Re-Sign Eric Murray]

The one-year King deal will have a base value of $1.8MM with the potential to max out at $2.2MM, Wilson adds. The 29-year-old spent the 2021 and ’22 campaigns in Houston before being part of the team’s final roster cuts ahead of this past season. That led to a brief stint in Pittsburgh, but his lack of usage drove the Steelers to shop him ahead of the trade deadline.

With no takers emerging, King was waived and ultimately re-joined the Texans in November. The Iowa alum started three of seven regular season games upon return, as well as both of the team’s postseason contests. He totaled 64 tackles, two sacks and a pair of pass deflections in that span, proving his continued value to Houston. King logged 15 starts during his first Texans stint, and he will likely remain a key defender in 2024.

The former fifth-rounder also returned eight kicks and one punt in his limited time with Houston in 2023. King earned All-Pro acclaim for his special teams work with the Chargers in 2018, and he has maintained his role as a returner through much of his career. He will aim to improve on his 12.6 yards per return average with respect to kickoffs next season if he maintains his role as Houston’s top returner in 2024.

Houston entered Saturday with nearly $63MM in cap space, leaving plenty of flexibility for when free agency opens next week. The new deals for Murray and King will eat into that total slightly, but they will ensure stability on the backend as the team looks to replicate 2023’s surprise run to the divisional round.

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