NFL free agency kicks off on March 18 when the new league year begins at 3:00 p.m. Central Time. However, the legal tampering period for free agency starts on March 16.
Like all 32 NFL teams, the Houston Texans have players set to become unrestricted free agents. Here are four players the Texans need to come to terms with immediately and not allow to hit free agency.
1. cb bradley roby
The former 2014 Denver Broncos first-round pick provided the Texans with 38 tackles, two tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, eight pass breakups, and a forced fumble. The only downside with Roby’s one year with the Texans was he missed six games due hamstring injuries. The 10 games played were the least of his career, and Roby only missed one game with the Broncos in his entire five seasons with the club. The hamstring injuries were a fluke, and Houston needs to bring him back.
2. rb carlos hyde
Coach Bill O’Brien doesn’t rely on rookie or younger running backs to carry the load in his offense. From 2014-15, it was Arian Foster. From 2016-18, it was Lamar Miller. When Miller tore his ACL in the third preseason game, rather than rely on undrafted rookies and after giving up on D’Onta Foreman early in training camp, the Texans traded with the Kansas City Chiefs for Carlos Hyde. The 29-year-old produced his first 1,000-yard season of his career. To keep the continuity, Houston needs to bring back the former Ohio State Buckeye.
3. qb a.j. mccarron
The great thing about A.J. McCarron was he didn’t make any appearances until Week 17’s meaningless season finale with the Tennessee Titans. However, he did provide stability behind Watson. McCarron fits the profile of the type of quarterback coach Bill O’Brien has won with before, and still remains an adequate insurance policy.
4. dt d.j. reader
The former 2016 fifth-round pick from Clemson had a decent contract year with 52 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in his 15 games for Houston. There was a reason he was one of the Texans’ Pro Bowl alternates in 2019. Coach Bill O’Brien knows how valuable Reader is to the defense, and J.J. Watt appreciates having Reader’s presence on the inside. The Texans need to re-sign Reader before he gets away.
