Dominant defense faces a critical gap. Can Houston's front office secure top free agents to bolster their interior and maintain their championship aspirations?
The Houston Texans just wrapped up a 12-win season, a dominant Wild Card victory, and a defense that ranked first in the league in EPA against the pass. On paper, DeMeco Ryans has built a juggernaut. But as the 2026 offseason begins, the view from the front office is less about victory laps and more about a looming structural crisis.
The Texans don't just have a free agency problem, they have a "middle of the defense" problem. While Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter are elite bookends, the interior is effectively a ghost town of expiring contracts. If Nick Caserio wants to prevent a slide back to mediocrity, he has to stop being "comfortable" and start being aggressive.
Top Free Agency Targets: Defensive Interior
This is Houston’s biggest area of turnover. With veterans like Sheldon Rankins, Tim Settle, and Folo Fatukasi hitting free agency, the Texans need to find partners for breakout nose tackle Tommy Togiai.
- John Franklin-Myers (Denver Broncos): Currently viewed as the "prize" of the interior market, JFM is a versatile defender who can play inside or kick out to the edge. Pro Football Focus and analysts have heavily linked him to Houston as the #1 priority to maintain their elite front.
- D.J. Reader (Detroit Lions): A return of the former Texan could be a veteran "run-plugger" solution. At 32, he would provide the physical presence Houston lacked at times in the run game between the tackles. That’s all based on if he doesn’t re-sign to the Cincinnati Bengals or Detroit Lions.
- Logan Hall (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): If the Texans want a younger, high-upside developmental piece to pair with Will Anderson Jr., Hall offers pass-rush traits from the interior that fit DeMeco Ryans’ aggressive scheme. If the Buccaneers move on from Hall, he could still be solid contributor in Houston.
The Possible Main Target: John Franklin-Myers
If Houston wants to fix their run defense while maintaining a lethal pass rush, John Franklin-Myers (Denver Broncos) isn't just an option, he’s a necessity.
Ranked as a top-10 interior pass rusher in 2025, "JFM" offers the versatility Ryans craves. He can slide outside to give Hunter a breather or anchor the 3-technique to keep linebackers like Azeez Al-Shaair clean. With Houston projected to be roughly $6.6 million in the red initially, Caserio must use his "restructure lever" to move money for Danielle Hunter and Nico Collins. Opening that projected cap space isn't just about flexibility, it's about having the ammunition to outbid teams like Detroit or Cincinnati for a cornerstone like Franklin-Myers.
The Texans' ability to possibly land a "big fish" like John Franklin-Myers or Bryan Cook depends entirely on restructuring veteran contracts. By moving money for players like Danielle Hunter, Tytus Howard, and Nico Collins, Houston can technically open up as much as $72 million in cap space.
Some of the Houston Texans Key Internal Free Agents To Re-sign or Replace:
Denico Autry: EDGE / DL / Unrestricted Free Agent / High (Locker room leader)
Sheldon Rankins: DT/ Unrestricted Free Agent / High (Consistency inside)
Christian Harris: LB / Unrestricted Free Agent / Medium (Injury dependent)
Secondary & Linebacker Depth
The Texans’ pass defense was #1 in EPA for a reason, the pass rush worked. Investing heavy capital in a secondary that already features a star in Derek Stingley Jr. and a breakout safety in Calen Bullock is a luxury Houston can’t afford. Every dollar spent on a CB2 is a dollar not spent on a defensive tackle who can stop a 3rd-and-2 plunge—the exact type of play that ended their season against the Patriots.
With Derek Stingley Jr. blossoming into a star, the Texans may look for affordable veteran depth or a high-upside safety to complement Calen Bullock and Jalen Pitre.
- Bryan Cook (Kansas City Chiefs): A standout safety who excelled in 2025. He would be a "big swing" target if the Texans manage to clear significant cap space through restructures.
- Jaylen Watson (Kansas City Chiefs): A physical corner who fits the profile of what Ryans likes in his secondary. He could serve as a high-end CB2 opposite Stingley. Would be a good second option if the Texans can’t snag Bryan Cook.
- Devin Lloyd (Jacksonville Jaguars): If the Texans move on from Christian Harris (who struggled with health in 2024/25), Lloyd is a versatile, All-Pro caliber linebacker who can play all three downs.
My 2 Cents
The 2026 offseason is the "Full Steam Locomotive" process for the Texans' championship window. They have the quarterback. They have the edge rushers. But the Texans may have to strengthen the gut. If they move some pieces around and add some new ones, the Texans could be a true Super Bowl contender for 2026.