Houston Texans Free Agent Prediction Turns Heads

Depending on who you ask, the Houston Texans have a depth problem on defense. That much is understandable given how much the team is paying to its top stars.

The team spent much of the offseason re-signing and extending key players like edge rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and others. The depth at those positions left something to be desired.

Linebacker depth took a hit recently when Houston backup E.J. Speed went down with a leg injury. And while Speed was slated behind Al-Shaair and Henry To'oTo'o at the position, he has proven capable of stepping in and playing at a high level. Now, the Texans are looking at having to play without Speed for some time.

ESPN NFL analyst Andrew Schatz can envision the team making a late addition to the linebacker room. He suggests the team should add former Buffalo Bills linebacker Shaq Thompson. Here's what he had to say of the proposed signing.

"There aren't a lot of holes on Houston's roster, nor are there a lot of pending free agents for 2027 who need to be re-signed. However, the Texans could use some depth at linebacker since E.J. Speed tore his quad and is out indefinitely.

There are a number of depth linebackers who can compete to be the third linebacker, including Jake Hansen, rookie Wade Woodaz and former Patriot Marte Mapu. An addition like Thompson might also make sense. He played 59% of defensive snaps for the Bills last season and had 56 tackles, but the Texans might also consider veterans such as former Raider Elandon Roberts or Mapu's former Patriots teammate Jahlani Tavai."

Thompson has not been as effective statistically in recent season with just 99 tackles over the last three seasons combined. In his prior four years in the league, however, Thomson eclipsed 104 tackles in each of the four seasons. He posted a career high 135 tackles in 2022.

It does not appear that the former Panthers and Bills linebacker will return to his peak play, but he does career 11 years and 135 games of NFL experience. He stands as an ideal pickup for the Texans if they want to shore up depth behind their two starters.

Thompson's best days are behind him, but that does not mean he has none left. Keep an eye on the possible addition as we near the start of preseason.