Texans Free Agency: Could Houston Sign Big-Name RB?

Texans Free Agency: Could Houston Sign Big-Name RB?

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans took pride in his team's achievements after his first year of guidance.

 Transforming a franchise that had secured only three wins the season before, he propelled them to the playoffs divisional round and clinched their first AFC South title since 2019.

However, this offseason is critical for the Texans and Ryans to "earn it again next year.”

According to Over The Cap, the Texans are poised to have $69.9 million in cap space for the upcoming offseason. This places them third in the league in terms of available funds, with only the Washington Commanders and Tennessee Titans ahead of them, according to PFF's calculations.

Last year’s free agent acquisition of Devin Singletary paid dividends. In four seasons with the Bills, he totaled 672 carries for 3,151 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns while adding 145 catches for 971 yards and four more scores.

In 2023, the Texans' offense had their moments of promise, but they need to address the running back position this offseason. Singletary, who inked a one-year deal, led the team with 898 rushing yards and four touchdowns, despite facing subpar run blocking. 

Re-signing Singletary could be a sensible move for Houston, but if not him, who else is available? Could the Texans use their top-five cap space to go slightly deeper into their pockets to sign a big-name running back?

PFF has ranked the NFL's top free agents. Here's the most notable running backs:

Saquon Barkley, New York Giants- 2024 Free agency rank: 29
Barkley briefly held out last offseason but returned to play on his franchise tag with slim chances of earning incentives. Despite the Giants' dismal season, Barkley showcased his explosiveness and highlight-reel catches in 2023. However, his inconsistency and missed time in recent seasons complicate his market value, especially with a weak 2024 running back draft class.

Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders - 2024 Free agency rank: 30
In 2023, Jacobs, a year removed from winning the rushing title, endured a rough start amid the Josh McDaniels era collapse. Despite a dip in performance, he showed promise under Antonio Pierce's regime before a season-ending quad injury. 

Turning 26 before free agency, Jacobs remains a valuable asset with potential.

Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans- 2024 Free agency rank: 31
Henry's screen receiving skills in recent seasons have added a new dimension to his game. Comparisons to players like Steven Jackson and Chris Ivory fall short. Henry hasn't hit the proverbial wall yet, whether due to age or total carries, evidenced by his impressive 3.32 yards after contact per attempt in 2023. 

While he may not produce as many explosive plays going forward, Henry seems capable of overpowering defenders and scoring double-digit touchdowns for a few more seasons.

Texans Offseason: Breaking Down Every Free Agent Entering 2024

As the Texans prioritize strengthening their rushing game, they recognize the need to bolster their offensive line, acknowledging room for improvement. 

Their objective remains finding the ideal running back for Bobby Slowik's scheme, leveraging the potential appeal of Houston as a destination for free agents, bolstered by C.J Stroud's presence at quarterback.