After the Houston Texans missed out on signing one of the top running backs in free agency on Monday, GM Nick Caserio got to work and made a trade for Bengals running back Joe Mixon. And all the Texans had to give up was a 7th round pick.

Mixon will play this year at 28-years old after spending 7 seasons with the Bengals. Mixon rushed for 1,034 yards in 2023, with 9 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 52 passes for 376 yards and 3 TDs last year.

Mixon has rushed for over 1,000 yards four times in his career.

After losing Devin Singletary to the Giants on Monday, the Texans knew they add to add another running back to the roster. Mixon will now join Dameon Pierce in Houston's backfield.

Many believed the Texans would make a big splash by signing Saquon Barkley or Josh Jacobs in free agency. But both backs agreed to huge deals on Monday. Jacobs signed a 4-year, $48 million deal with the Packers, and Barkley agreed to a 3-year, $37,750 million contract with the Eagles.

Instead, the Texans will pay Mixon, who is in the final year of his contract, $5.75 million in 2024.

What does he bring to the table?

Not only will Mixon improve the ground game, but he's also a great target out of the backfield. The graphic below indicates how Mixon will give the Texans a boost in the passing game.

Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss all the ways Mixon can help improve the Texans running game. Especially when CJ Stroud is under center and handing the ball off. That's when Mixon really excels. He's at his best when he's running right at the defense. Only three other teams run the ball from under center more than the Texans. So this trade makes a ton of sense on many levels.

Plus, we discuss how CJ Stroud will have all his top weapons back this season, with the team re-signing receiver Noah Brown and tight end Dalton Schultz.