Free agency preview: Biggest priority re-signings for the Texans
In the Houston Texans’ first year under new coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, expectations were exceeded. They went 10-7 and won a playoff game a year after going 3-13-1.
Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio have a promising young core led by C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr., but also have plenty of players hitting unrestricted free agency this offseason. They have the fifth-most projected salary cap space of any team at just over $66 million, according to spotrac.
Here’s some of the Texans’ notable unrestricted free agents heading into the offseason:
DE Jonathan Greenard
No player on Houston did more for themselves in a contract year than defensive end Jonathan Greenard. The 2020 third-round pick had a career-high 12.5 sacks this season, which was tied for the 10th-most in the NFL.
“[Greenard] did some really great things to allow us to be in games,” Ryans said in his season-ending press conference. “Everything I believe in starts up front with the rush and also with the offensive line and protecting. We’ll continue to build with our fronts, start at the front and build backwards is how I envision it. Jonathan had a really great year.”
Ryans was by no means direct when asking if they’ll re-sign Greenard, but his team-building philosophy implies he’d like to keep the 26-year-old around. The best defensive ends have average salaries in the $21-$25 million range. Greenard most likely won’t draw that kind of money, but he’ll be much more expensive than the $1.1 million he made this season.
DT Sheldon Rankins
Continuing with building up front, Sheldon Rankins signed a 1-year, $10.5 million deal last offseason with the Texans. He was third on the Texans with six sacks and also had nine tackles for loss. The 29-year-old was an important part of Houston’s defensive front and will likely draw similar money in free agency this offseason.
Prior to the Texans, Rankins spent two years with the New York Jets under Robert Saleh. Ryans and Saleh were the past two defensive coordinators for the San Francisco 49ers under Kyle Shanahan. It’s safe to assume that Rankins fits that defensive scheme and is someone Ryans wouldn’t mind bringing back.
LB Blake Cashman
Linebacker Blake Cashman led Houston in total tackles with 106 this season, which is also a career-high for the five-year veteran. He also had a Pro Football Focus grade of 83.7, which was fifth among all linebackers this season.
He won’t be as expensive to retain as Greenard and Rankins, but the 27-year-old is likely to draw interest from multiple teams after a career year.
