
Houstontexans.com
About two weeks ago, Fred Faour wrote an article saying the Texans should go all in this offseason, specifically in free agency. His argument for "pushing their chips to the middle of the table" was compelling. It included players to keep (their own free agents), obvious needs, cap impact, and other needs. While I agree with Fred, for the most part, I'm going to attempt to make a more detailed look at potential free agent targets for the Texans this offseason.
RB Tevin Coleman, 6'1 205lbs
Tevin Coleman
Lynn Bass atlantafalcons.com
All the potential LeVeon Bell talk should be squashed. Bell wants too much money and the Texans (specifically GM Brian Gaine via Cody Stoots) already said Lamar Miller is their starting running back next season, you can't resist the temptation to improve the position. Sure, Lamar Miller has been serviceable, and third year back D'Onta Foreman showed flashes his rookie year, but Foreman hasn't been able to show those flashes after recovering from an Achilles injury and Miller has yet to have more than 1,100 yards or 10 touchdowns in a season. Coleman will command around a $5 million dollar yearly salary which is about $2 million dollars less on average than Miller. Getting younger and more explosive for a cheaper price is a no-brainer.
CB Trevor Williams 5'11 191lbs
Trevor Williams
chargers.com
Corner is a position of more dire need for the Texans. Considering Kareem Jackson is a 30+ year old unrestricted free agent, Jonathan Joseph is eligible for senior living community, and Kevin Johnson is the new Mr. Glass, the position is in need of bodies, and talent. Lance Zierlein has been saying the Texans are looking for size/speed guys at this position. Williams ran a 4.44 40 yard dash coming out of college. Coming off a season-ending knee injury last season after a standout 2017 season, Williams may be had on the cheap relative to some other corners. I expect him to command somewhere around a $5-8 million dollar salary yearly. He may even sign a relatively low guarantee deal, similar to Tyrann Mathieu's one-year prove-it deal last year.
OT Ja'Wuan James 6'6 312lbs
Ja'Wuan James
nfl.com
Offensive line help for this team is more than a necessity. This team needs offensive line help more than most fish need water. James is a former first round pick who's potential former team, the Dolphins, is in disarray. He'll be 27 years old by the time next season starts which is prime age for lineman. He'll likely command upwards of $10 million dollars on average yearly salary, but that can be finagled by structuring the deal to contain more guaranteed money on the first couple years of a four or five year deal. He displayed his toughness by playing through injury last season. That's something you want from guys in the trenches.
WR Phillip Dorsett 5'10 192lbs
Phillip Dorsett
Jim Davis, Boston Globe
Here's another speed guy that could be a potential gamebreaker for the Texans. With Will Fuller and Keke Coutee proving to be fragile as field stretchers opposite of DeAndre Hopkins, the Texans have a need for speed. Sure, a more proven route runner or slot receiver would be a better option if those guys are all healthy, but why not light a fire under them by signing a potential replacement? He'll come cheap given that he's a one trick pony and there are more proven vets on the market that provide a similar skill set. I'm guessing a $2-3 million dollar yearly average at most.
These are just some of the free agents I've looked at on a preliminary basis for the Texans at positions I believe they need to fill. Honorable mention goes to: QB Tyrod Taylor; WRs Cordalle Patterson, Randall Cobb, and Breshad Perriman; as well as CBs Steven Nelson, Bryce Callahan, and Darqueze Dennard.This isn't a prediction or projection list. It's merely me doing some research and trying to project decent fits for a good price considering the free agent market. I don't care if you agree or disagree. I'm simply trying to spark a discussion or debate based around my opinions. Feel free to contact me and let me know how good or bad you think my suggestions are. And as always, thanks for reading.
Despite red flags, here's how Astros still control their own destiny
Aug 18, 2025, 12:30 pm
Jordan Westburg hit a three-run homer among four hits with a career-best five RBIs and Dean Kremer pitched seven sharp innings to give the Baltimore Orioles a 12-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Kremer (9-9) allowed just three singles and struck out seven. Grant Wolfram and Corbin Martin finished the six-hitter.
The Astros were shut out for the second time this series after Brandon Young came within four outs of a perfect game in Baltimore’s 7-0 win Friday night.
Westburg hit an opposite-field shot to right-center off Shawn Dubin in the fifth to make it 5-0. He added RBI singles in the seventh and eighth. His four hits matched a career high.
Houston starter Cristian Javier (1-1) left with an illness after allowing one run in three innings. The Astros used five relievers before outfielder Chas McCormick threw a scoreless ninth in his second pitching appearance this week.
The bases were loaded in the third when Jesús Sánchez robbed Gunnar Henderson of a grand slam with a leaping catch into the seats in right field. Jeremiah Jackson scored on the sacrifice fly to make it 1-0.
Sánchez robbed another homer in the seventh with two on when he reached into the seats to snag a fly ball hit by Samuel Basallo, who was making his major league debut. Basallo, the Orioles’ top prospect, drove in two runs with a single in Baltimore’s five-run eighth.
Key moment
There was a brief delay in the top of the eighth when a fan jumped onto the field and ran around before being tackled by security, handcuffed and escorted off the field.
Key stat
Dubin has allowed 11 hits and 11 runs over 2 2/3 innings in his last three appearances.
Up next
Orioles LHP Trevor Rogers (5-2, 1.43 ERA) opposes Red Sox RHP Dustin May (7-8, 4.67) Monday night in the opener of a two-game series at Boston.
Houston RHP Spencer Arrighetti (1-3, 6.38) faces Detroit RHP Jack Flaherty (6-12, 4.76) as the Astros visit the Tigers Monday night.