HOUSTON -- NFL free agency is off and running, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2022 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year began Wednesday, and the first round of the NFL draft begins April 28 on ESPN.
For the second year in a row, the Houston Texans are undergoing significant turnover on their roster. Although this year, it’s more likely to come through the draft than free agency. This is a Houston team coming off back-to-back four-win seasons with many holes on its roster.
The Texans’ cap space drastically changed after Houston traded quarterback Deshaun Watson after the start of the new league year. Houston now has more than $32 million of cap space, according to Roster Management, but general manager Nick Caserio said after the trade that he doesn’t expect the extra cap space to dramatically change the way the team has operated during the start of free agency.
Here's a breakdown of every 2022 NFL free-agent signing by the Texans, and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Kyle Allen, QB
Allen signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Texans that is all guaranteed.
What it means: It appears the Texans are all-in on second-year quarterback Davis Mills, who was a third-round draft pick last year. Allen did not start a game for Washington last season, but he completed 63.2% of his passes for 120 yards and a touchdown in two games in relief.
What's the risk: Unlike the deal the Texans signed quarterback Tyrod Taylor to a year ago that was incentive-based, the deal Allen signed looks more like one for a true backup compared to one who the Texans expect to give Mills a true competition in training camp.
Jeff Driskel, QB
The Texans signed Driskel to a one-year, $1.2 million contract.
What it means: Driskel, who signed with the Texans on a one-year deal last offseason, served as Houston’s backup quarterback for most of last season before converting to a tight end. Driskel has gone back to quarterback to re-sign with Houston.
What's the risk: This is a low-risk deal for a third-string quarterback, especially after the Texans signed Allen. Driskel may not make the team out of training camp if Houston chooses to only carry two quarterbacks on its roster.
Cedric Ogbuehi, OT
Ogbuehi signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Texans.
What it means: Although the Texans restructured Laremy Tunsil’s contract, meaning they don’t intend to trade the left tackle, Houston was in need of help at tackle. Ogbuehi is familiar with new offensive line coach George Warhop, who coached him with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019.
What's the risk: This is a low-risk contract for Houston and gives the Texans some depth on the offensive line. Ogbuehi played just three games last year, two with the Baltimore Ravens and one with the Seattle Seahawks.
Maliek Collins, DT
The Texans signed Collins to a two-year, $17 million deal that includes $8.5 million guaranteed, his agent told ESPN.
What it means: Collins is a player the Texans prioritized bringing back. This offseason, coach Lovie Smith said the athletic Collins “fits the profile” of the type of defensive tackle he wants in his defense. In his first season in Houston, Collins had 2.5 sacks and seven quarterback hits. “I think Maliek was just at the tip of the iceberg on what we can be,” Smith said. “There's so much more that he'll be able to do going forward.”
What's the risk: The Texans gave Collins a two-year deal, but just $8.5 million is guaranteed. It’s a bigger contract than the Texans have been giving out since Caserio took over, but after Houston trades Watson and his $35 million base salary, they should have plenty of cap space available for deals like this.
Desmond King II, CB
King is signing a two-year, $7 million deal with $3.5 million guaranteed, his agent told ESPN.
What it means: King, who moved outside from the slot during the season, had three interceptions, six passes defensed and a forced fumble. King’s three interceptions were tied for the team lead and matched the franchise’s total of interceptions for the 2020 season.
Texans cornerbacks coach Dino Vasso said that although King’s “optimal position” is nickel, the corner “took the move pretty well” last season.
“He embraced it, and he did what was best for the team, and not necessarily what was best for Desmond King,” Vasso said. “And you win with football players like that.”
What's the risk: King was benched for a game for disciplinary reasons, but clearly that’s not a lingering issue because Caserio and Smith wanted King back. This contract is a raise from the one-year, prove-it deal he had a year ago.
Pharaoh Brown, TE
The Texans signed Brown to a one-year contract worth up to $4 million, according to NFL Network.
What it means: The Texans continue to re-sign players from their 2021 roster. Brown had 23 catches for 171 yards in 15 games last season. There’s still time for this to change, of course, but right now the three tight ends on Houston’s roster (Brown, Antony Auclair and 2021 fifth-round pick Brevin Jordan) are the same three the team ended the season with.
What's the risk: Brown did lead the team with 10 penalties last season and did not catch a touchdown. Brown is making more than he did last season, but clearly Caserio and the coaching staff wanted him back in Houston.
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
Okoronkwo signed a one-year contract, according to NFL Network.
What it means: Mainly used on special teams with the Rams, Okoronkwo likely signed in Houston for a bigger role on defense. According to PFF, Okoronkwo had a career-best 79.2 grade on defense last season, and he has 50 career pressures on 376 rushes. Signing Okoronkwo could mean the Texans don’t bring Jacob Martin back.
What's the risk: Okoronkwo missed his rookie season with a foot injury and hasn’t played a full season yet because of injury. It’s only a one-year deal -- and unless it ends up being a huge contract -- this is another low-risk signing for Houston.
Terrence Brooks, S
The Texans and Brooks agreed to terms on a one-year, $2 million contract, agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN.
What it means: The Texans brought back Brooks, who saw some increased defensive snaps in two of the games safety Justin Reid did not play in last season. Brooks primarily played special teams for Houston, playing 64% of the Texans’ special teams snaps during the 2021 season. Houston now has four safeties on the roster: Brooks, Eric Murray, Jonathan Owens and Grayland Arnold.
What's the risk: As many of the Texans deals will be during free agency, this is a low-risk move for Houston. At $2 million, general manager Nick Caserio brings back a special teams player the Texans thought fit well a year ago, and Smith gets some depth in the secondary from a veteran player with familiarity in the head coach’s defensive system.
A.J. Cann, G
Cann signed a two-year, $10.5 million deal with $4.5 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network.
What it means: Cann is the first free agent the Texans signed who wasn’t on the roster last season, but he is a familiar face to new offensive line coach George Warhop, who coached Cann with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the last three seasons. Cann primarily played right guard for the Jaguars, a position that the Texans split between 2019 second-round pick Max Scharping and veteran Justin McCray last season. Howard, who moved from right tackle to left guard last season, could stay inside and play opposite Cann.
What's the risk: The 30-year-old guard has played in 95 games for the Jaguars in his career, but only played in four last season after he injured his right MCL. Only $4.5 million of Cann’s contract is guaranteed, according to NFL Network, which means it’s not a financial risk for the Texans.
Justin Britt, C
Britt signed a two-year deal to remain with the Texans, a source confirmed to ESPN. According to PFN, the deal is for $9 million, with a maximum value of $10.5 million.
What it means: The Texans were happy to bring back Britt, who had signed a one-year deal worth up to $5 million with Houston last offseason. The 30-year-old was a cheap replacement for Nick Martin a year ago, but he clearly impressed Caserio in his season in Houston. Britt will keep some continuity on the offensive line, who lost offensive line coach James Campen to the Carolina Panthers. Last season, guard Tytus Howard credited Britt for helping him through his position change.
What's the risk: Again, this is a deal that feels low-risk to the Texans because they had him in the building last season. Britt played 11 games in 2021 after missing time with a knee injury. The veteran center had only missed one game in his first five seasons before tearing his ACL in October 2019. Britt was released by the Seahawks the next offseason and did not play in 2020.