Ravens Sign Texans Free Agent Josh Jones - Houston Free Agency Tracker

The 2024 free agency period will be a busy time for the Houston Texans, who are one of the top destinations with nearly $70.0 million to spend.

MARCH 21 JONES SIGNS Per an announcement from the team, the Baltimore Ravens have signed former free agent Texans offensive tackle Josh Jones.

Jones, a former third-round pick of the Cardinals, played in 13 games for Houston in 2023 with three starts. 

Jones had spent the previous three seasons with Arizona, where he played in 47 games with 21 starts.

MARCH 20 SIMS RETURNS According to reports from KPRC 2, the Texans are set to re-sign special teams ace Steven Sims to a new deal. 

Sims played in three games last season for Houston making three catches for 25 yards and returning four punts for 49 yards, as well as three kicks for 71 yards. 

In the playoffs, Sims was at his best, returning a punt 71 yards for a score vs. Baltimore.

MARCH 13 AFC SOUTH STAR SWITCH The Houston Texans were hoping that star Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley would be on his way out of the AFC South after not coming to terms on a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars before free agency began. 

However, it appears that won't be happening. According to reports from NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Tennessee Titans are signing Ridley to a massive four-year deal, that is worth $92 million with $50 million guaranteed.

Ridley had 76 catches on 136 targets for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games. In two games vs. the Texans, he totaled eight catches for 129 yards and a score. 

MARCH 13 HOUSTON ADDS OFFENSIVE LINEMAN According to the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Alexander, the Texans signed offensive lineman David Sharpe Wednesday morning, marking the start of Day 3 of NFL Free Agency. 

Sharpe last played for the Carolina Panthers during the 2023 season. The signing marked Sharpe's second stint with the Texans. His first came in 2018 when he played on the team's practice squad roster before his release in October.

MARCH 12 HUNTER TO HOUSTON? According to reports from KPRC 2, there is mutual interest between the Houston Texans and star Minnesota Vikings free agent pass rusher Danielle Hunter. 

However, according to the report, nothing is imminent between the two parties, and multiple teams are interested in Hunter's services.

Hunter, 29, has been with the Vikings for nine years, although he did not play in 2020 due to a severe neck injury. Aside from that, though, he's been a dominant force throughout his career, racking up 87.5 sacks in eight seasons.

According to Spotrac, Hunter's market value is just over $20 million annually. A hefty price tag to be sure, but for a player like Hunter, who ESPN ranks as the eighth-best free agent in this class, it's a price that many teams will happily pay.

MARCH 11 TOWNSEND SIGNED The Houston Texans are signing free agent and former Kansas City Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend to a two-year $6 million deal, according to multiple reports. 

The Texans had a void at the punter position after the departure of Cam Johnston, who agreed to his own deal in free agency on Monday, 

Last season, Towsend had 59 punts for an average of 47.1 yards per punt, and downed 20 of his attempts inside the 20 for the Super Bowl champions. 

MARCH 11 JOHNSON SIGNS The Houston Texans have added some cornerback help, signing defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr. to a one-year $2.5 million deal, per a report from KPRC 2.

Johnson was originally a second-round pick of the Texans out of Kentucky in 2019 before he was traded. Johnson then spent 2022 with the Titans before a stint with the Saints last season. 

He has 192 total tackles, four interceptions and 15 passes defended in his five-year career. 

MARCH 11 POLLARD GONE Another Houston Texans running back target is off of the board. 

Shortly after D'Andre Swift agreed to sign with the Bears on Monday afternoon, Texans running back target Tony Pollard quickly followed suit, signing with the Tennessee Titans on a three-year, $24 million deal. 

Counted on to be a young, cheaper Ezekiel Elliott last season in Dallas, Pollard disappointed in his solo spotlight last season. He had one just 100-yard game and the Cowboys rushed for almost 20 yards less per game in 2023 with him than in 2022 with Elliott.

MAR 11 TEXANS OUT ON SWIFT D'Andre Swift was the first running back to sign with a team. According to KPRC, Swift signed a three-year, $24.0 million deal with the Chicago Bears. The Texans are still in the running for All-Pro running back Saquon Barkley. 

#Bears three years, $24 million for running back D'Andre Swift, per a league source

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 11, 2024

MAR 11 TEXANS LIKE MOSS? Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans has expressed interest in improving the Texans' running back market. 

But Despite rumors of Saquon Barkley, KPRC reports that the Texans have expressed interest in running back Zack Moss. The Titans, Packers and Browns reportedly also have eyes for Moss.

Last year with the Colts Moss finished with 183 carries for 794 yards and five scores, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He also added 27 catches for 192 yards and two scores.

Texans' coach DeMeco Ryans celebrates victory inside NRG Stadium.  / © Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

MAR 11 TEXANS RUNNING IT BACK?  At the start of free agency, the Texans have re-signed seven of their 25 pending free agents, headlined by tight end Dalton Schultz. 

He agreed to a three-year deal worth $36.0 million. Schultz recorded 59 passes for 635 yards and five touchdowns while averaging a career-high 10.8 yards per catch.

MAR 11 TEXANS SIGN FATUKASI The Texans agreed to terms with former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Foley Fatukasi, who reunites with Matt Burke.

Fatukasi wanted to sign with a franchise before the start of the tampering period on March 11 because of the expanded market. Since he was released, the 29-year-old defender did not need to wait until March 13 to sign with a different franchise.

A sixth-round pick out of UConn in 2018, Fatukasi played for Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke as a member of the New York Jets in 2021. Fatukasi also spent one season in Robert Saleh’s defensive front, which mirrors similar schemes to Texans’ Ryans.