How does one look at the Houston Texans‘ free agency period and decide how to grade it?
Overall, the Texans improved. Yes, there needs to be more added to fix the offensive line long-term, but the re-signings of Ed Ingram and Trent Brown, plus the additions of right tackle Braden Smith and do-it-all lineman Evan Brown might be enough to hold the franchise over until the upcoming NFL draft.
As for the defense, how much more improved can the best unit in sports get? Re-signing defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins only strengthens the run defense, but the welcomed additions of defensive back Reed Blankenship and defensive lineman Logan Hall fortify a unit that, seemingly on paper, has little room to gripe about on-field results.
Still, was the lack of offensive line help enough to keep the critics at bay? Apparently not, since Yahoo Sports’ Frank Schwab wasn’t moved by the recent additions, giving Houston an overall C- grade.
“The Texans seemingly had one job, and that was to fix their offensive line. They traded away versatile lineman Tytus Howard and didn’t add any offensive linemen in the first day of free agency,” Schwab wrote. “There’s still plenty of time to go, and the draft will be huge for Houston, but its nonchalant approach to the offensive line the past couple years has been strange. The Texans signed safety Reed Blankenship, who is a good player, but didn’t seem like a pressing need. Trading for running back David Montgomery was fine, but his effectiveness will be determined by Houston’s plan to fix its offensive line, if there is one.”
Free agency isn’t over just yet, so there are plenty of moves Houston could make to shore up the offensive line. Wyatt Teller, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Greg Van Roten and several other players could be putting pen to paper in the coming days to bolster Houston’s trenches.
Will the Texans still make a splash? The big-name players will all be signed soon, so the Houston must at least upgrade one other roster spot before April rears its draft-minded head.
