Offensive line needs an upgrade. A veteran guard, recovering from injury, could be the answer Houston must chase.
The Houston Texans are entering a monumental 2026 offseason. The franchise has had plenty of success over the last three seasons, but the organization is looking to make the right moves to get the team over the hump in the postseason. The weak spots on the roster from 2025 are fairly easy to identify, and the offensive line is an area that must be addressed.
The Texans are going to have to make some smart free-agent signings along the offensive line, and the franchise is also going to have to find some talent in the 2026 NFL Draft. With the 28th overall pick in the event, there should be some good talent to choose from, and there are some players to target in free agency who could fix some of the team's issues.
A player the Texans should target in free agency is offensive guard James Daniels. The 28-year-old veteran was recently released by the Miami Dolphins, and he can even be signed before free agency if Houston wants to do that. He is recovering from a major injury that he suffered at the beginning of the 2025 season, but he should be good to go by Week 1.
Daniels has been on three teams so far in his NFL career. He spent four seasons with the Chicago Bears after being selected in the second round by the organization, and then signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he spent three years. He signed a three-year deal with Miami during the 2025 offseason, worth a total of $24 million.
The veteran has had some injury troubles in recent years. In 2024, with Pittsburgh, he tore his Achilles tendon, and in 2025, with Miami, he suffered a pectoral injury. Both injuries were season-ending, so there should be concerns about durability.
The recent injury makes signing Daniels a bit risky, but it also means he shouldn't be too expensive. According to Spotrac, his current market value sits around $6.8 million per season. He is projected to sign a one-year deal, and the price can vary depending on the number of teams interested in acquiring his services.
During his time with Chicago and Pittsburgh, Daniels was well on his way to becoming one of the best right guards in football. The injuries have derailed that progress, but a signing like this for Houston could be very fruitful if he can return to his old form. It is a chance worth taking, especially with how poor the offensive line play was in 2025.