Houston Texans add exciting pieces to defensive line and receiver group
WHEELING AND DEALING
11 March
The Texans reloaded on the defensive line. Composite image by Brandon Strange.
Edge rusher Darrell Taylor and wide receiver Braxton Berrios have agreed to one-year contracts with the Houston Texans, two people with knowledge of the deals told The Associated Press on Monday.
Both people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t announced the deals. Taylor is getting $5.25 million and Berrios will receive $2 million.
Taylor had 24 1/2 sacks in four seasons with Seattle and Chicago. He had a career-best 9 1/2 sacks for the Seahawks in 2022.
The Texans added wideout Christian Kirk in a trade with Jacksonville last week. The deal won’t be official until the new league year begins Wednesday. Former Chiefs receiver Justin Watson also agreed to a deal with Houston on Monday.
Berrios, a return specialist, was limited to six games last year because of injuries. He had a career-high 46 catches for the Jets in 2021 and played for Miami the past two seasons.
According to reports, the Texans also brought back defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins after spending his last season with the Bengals. Pass rusher Derek Barnett was also re-signed.
How Jeremy Peña’s breakout season comes with a twist for Astros
Jun 24, 2025, 4:31 pm
Jeremy Peña is putting together the best season of his career, and it’s time to start asking some serious questions about what comes next.
After a strong rookie campaign and a magical playoff run in 2022, Peña has reemerged as one of the best shortstops in baseball. His numbers are now right in line with, and in some cases better than, Bobby Witt Jr., the player many consider the gold standard at the position. But Peña's resurgence isn't the only headline, he’s now officially signed with Scott Boras, baseball’s most powerful agent, signaling that a major payday could be on the horizon.
That decision raises real questions about Peña’s future in Houston. With just two years left on his deal, is he heading toward the same path as other homegrown stars who have ultimately walked in free agency? Or will the Astros finally reverse course and invest long-term in one of their own? The team’s payroll philosophy, built around letting expensive veterans leave while developing new talent, has worked for years. But Peña’s rise is testing just how far that system can stretch.
As his star continues to rise, the pressure is mounting. Will Houston commit to keeping him, or let another one slip away?
Be sure to watch the video below as ESPN Houston's Paul Gallant weighs in!
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