Houston Texans appear to be maneuvering for even more after latest splashy moves
KEEP THE MOVES COMING!
13 March 2024
We can't wait to see what the Texans do next! Composite Getty Image.
The Houston Texans started off slow on Day 1 of free agency, but you could argue they won Day 2. First, they traded for Bengals RB Joe Mixon. While Mixon was not a free agent, he would have been had the Texans not traded a 7th round pick to bring him to Houston.
But the next move to come was something fans have long been waiting for. Instead of signing another mid-market player, GM Nick Caserio went all-in by signing the best pass rusher on the market, Danielle Hunter.
Now when we look back at what the Texans did on Day 1 with some context, those decisions look even better. Denico Autry was brought in to play alongside Will Anderson and Hunter. Not be the one-to-one replacement for Jonathan Greenard.
And the signing of linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair also looks like a great move. He should be an immediate upgrade at the position. His experience in San Francisco has us believing he was handpicked by DeMeco. Not just a player they added that fit their budget.
Plus, the addition of cornerback Jeff Okudah looks more like a low-risk move to add depth at the position. Not a crown jewel in free agency.
Seeing the puzzle come together, instead of reacting in the moment, can greatly change one's perspective.
Speaking of which, the Texans traded defensive tackle Maliek Collins to the 49ers on Wednesday for a 7th round pick. Which should save the team a little over 2.5 million in cap space in 2024. On the surface, this deal doesn't make a ton of sense.
But a move like this could lead to the Texans signing 49ers DT Arik Armstead or another player Houston has in their crosshairs.
#49ers officially released Arik Armstead. He has interest from #Texans #Bengals #Lions among others, per league sources
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 13, 2024
The Texans reportedly have interest in Armstead, could he be the next big move coming?
Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss why DeMeco was willing to move on from Collins, and how we're seeing a pattern from the Texans that could give us some clues about their next big move.
Jose Altuve and rookie Jacob Melton drove in three runs each as the Houston Astros jumped on Chris Paddack early and cruised to a 10-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.
Paddack (2-6) tied career highs by allowing 12 hits and nine runs — eight earned — in just four innings for his third straight loss.
Houston rookie starter Colton Gordon (2-1) gave up six hits and two runs with five strikeouts in a career-high six innings.
Jeremy Peña tied a season-high with four hits and rookie Cam Smith had two hits and two RBIs as the AL West-leading Astros won their third straight.
Willi Castro, Royce Lewis and Ty France all hit solo homers for the Twins, who were blown out for the third time in four games after losing to Texas 16-4 Tuesday and 16-3 Thursday.
Lewis, who missed the start of the season with a hamstring strain, pulled up as he was running to first base on a single in the ninth inning and was replaced by a pinch-runner. There was no immediate word on his injury.
The Astros got to work early in this one. The bases were loaded with two outs in the first when Smith hit a two-run single to center field to make it 2-0. Melton followed with a single to right field to drive in another run.
There were runners on first and third with one out in the second when Altuve’s double scored two to make it 5-0.
The Twins loaded the bases with two outs in the third but Carlos Correa grounded out to end the threat.
Melton hit a two-run triple with no outs in the bottom of the inning to push the lead to 7-0. A sacrifice fly by Mauricio Dubón made it 8-0.
The Twins got on the board with Castro’s two-out homer in the fourth inning.
Altuve homered to left-center to start the bottom of the inning and make it 9-1.
Key moment
Smith’s two-RBI single in the first that gave Houston the lead for good.
Key stat
The Astros had four doubles to give them 15 in their last three games.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (8-3, 1.82 ERA) opposes Twins RHP Joe Ryan (7-2, 2.96) on Saturday.
