The Houston Texans fired general manager Brian Gaine on June 7, 2019, and executive vice president of football administration Chris Olsen was appointed interim GM. However, coach Bill O’Brien had considerable front office influence, and later O’Brien was officially given the general manager title after the 2019 season.
Since Aug. 8, 2019, the Texans have executed seven trades, dealing away 13 players/picks and acquiring 16 players/picks. Here is a look at a timeline of each trade.
Aug. 8 — Trade with Cleveland Browns for Duke Johnson
O’Brien wasn’t comfortable with the depth behind starting running back, Lamar Miller. Third-year rusher D’Onta Foreman was in the doghouse and later waived. The Texans traded a conditional pick, which manifested into a 2020 third-rounder, to the Browns to acquire Johnson.
Aug. 31 — Trading Jadeveon Clowney to the Seattle Seahawks
As part of shaping the Texans’ 53-man roster, the club traded their former 2014 No. 1 overall pick to the Seahawks for OLBs Jacob Martin, Barkevious Mingo, and a 2020 third-round pick. Don’t get too attached to that extra draft pick.
Aug. 31 — Trade with Miami Dolphins for Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills
The biggest trade of the O’Brien general managing era was when he dealt a 2020 first-round pick, a 2021 first-round pick, a 2021 second-round pick, cornerback Johnson Bademosi, and offensive tackle Julién Davenport to the Dolphins for Tunsil, Stills, and a 2020 fourth-round pick.
Aug. 31 — Traded with the New England Patriots for CB Keion Crossen
After giving up cornerback Johnson Bademosi to the Miami Dolphins as part of the Laremy Tunsil trade, the Texans needed a special teams ace. It cost Houston a 2020 sixth-round pick.
Aug. 31 — Trade with Kansas City Chiefs: OT Martinas Rankin for RB Carlos Hyde
When starting running back Lamar Miller tore his ACL in the third preseason game, there was an expectation the Texans would address running back. Even though dealing Rankin meant the 2018 third-rounder would be a “bust,” it helped the Texans find a 1,000-yard rusher in Hyde that was going to fight for playing time in Kansas City anyway.
Oct. 21 — Trade with Oakland Raiders for CB Gareon Conley
The Texans were in a world of hurt by Week 8 with starting cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph and Bradley Roby missing time with hamstring injuries, Phillip Gaines done for the year with a broken ankle, and rookie Lonnie Johnson sustaining a concussion. O’Brien shipped that third-round pick from the Jadeveon Clowney trade to the Raiders for their former 2017 first-round pick.
March 16 — Trade with Arizona Cardinals: WR DeAndre Hopkins for RB David Johnson, plus picks
The Texans dealt their three-time All-Pro receiver and a 2020 fourth-round pick (131st overall) to the Cardinals for Johnson, a 2020 second-round pick (40th overall), and a 2021 fourth-round pick.
April 9 — Trade with Los Angeles Rams for WR Brandin Cooks
The most recent trade the Texans have made is with the Rams for Cooks, who gives Houston’s passing game another speedy threat. The Texans gave up their 2020 second-round pick (57th overall) to add the 5-10, 183-pound wideout.
