Texans sign a number of free agents

By Tyler Tyre, Sports Editor
Posted 3/26/22

The Texans signed a number of players over the first days of NFL free agency, as the team is expected to have significant turnover after handing out lots of 1-year deals last season.

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Texans sign a number of free agents

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The Texans signed a number of players over the first days of NFL free agency, as the team is expected to have significant turnover after handing out lots of 1-year deals last season.

A good number of players the Teans have brought back including starting center Justin Britt.

Britt, an eight-year NFL veteran was a big part of the Houston offensive last season and resigned on a one-year deal that could be worth up to $5 million.

He played in 11 games last year, after signing with the Texans on a one-year deal and was a leader among the group. The move is a low risk one for the Texans, who wanted to retain some of the same players they had last season at the offensive line position.

Along with Britt, the Texans brought back Terrence Brooks, Pharoah Brown, Desmond King II, Royce Freeman and Maliek Collins.

Collins got the largest deal, getting a two-year contract worth $17 million with $8.5 million guaranteed. The Texans made it a priority to resign the interior lineman, who Lovie Smith raved about throughout the season and was a good fit for the type of defense the Texans will run. Collins totaled 28 tackles, 2.5 sacks seven quarterback hits in his first year under Smith.

King was also rewarded for a strong season, as the five year NFL veteran will return to Houston on a two-year $7 million deal. King was tied for the team lead with three interceptions last season and also had 93 tackles, second most on the team. He did all of this while switching positions from nickel to outside cornerback for the betterment of the team.

Brown has always shown flashes and the physical ability to be a starting caliber tight end and will get another chance at that with his one-year $4 million deal with Houston.

Brown comes off a season in which he had 23 catches for 171 yards over 15 games, not stellar numbers, but he was solid when called upon for the team.  Brown along with Antony Auclair and Brevin Jordan look to be the three tight ends that will be on the roster this season.

Freeman was a surprise resigning. The Texans had the worst run game in the league last season and Freeman totaled just 92 yards on 35 carries, averaging just 2.6 yards per carry on the year. He will likely be a backup this season.

Brooks rounds out the players resigning with the Texans so far and he has been rewarded with a one-year $2 million deal after his play last year. He primarily was a special teams player last year, but he did get some defensive snaps late in the year. He will add good depth in the secondary and is the fourth safety signed.

There will be new faces in the Houston locker room as well, as a number of free agents signed with the Texans over the week.

AJ Cann, a guard, will join the Texans on a two-year, $10.5 million deal that has $4.5 million guaranteed. Cann has been a solid starter for Jacksonville over the course of his career, but suffered an MCL injury last year which limited him to four games.

The Texans then went and got their third lineman from free-agency with Scott Quessenberry signing with the team on a one-year $1.187 million contract. He will get the chance to back up Justin Britt.

Ogbonnia Okoronkwo signed a one-year deal with the Texans, coming over after winning a super bowl with the Rams. Okoronkwo was mostly a special teams player for Los Angeles, but will add needed depth to the Houston defensive line as well. He had 22 pressures last season to go with two sacks and six quarterback hits.

Okoronkwo is a Houston native and a graduate of Alief Taylor.

Like Cann, Dare Ogunbowale will make the trek from Jacksonville to Houston to join the running back group.

Ogunbowale joins on a two-year $3 million deal and will join a group that currently has Rex Burkhead, Scottie Phillips and Royce Freeman.

Ogungowale averaged 3.2 yards per carry last season and will in all likelihood be a backup this year.

Kyle Allen is the final new face to join the group. The Texans were in need of a backup quarterback after Tyrod Taylor joined the New York Giants. Allen will join the team on a one-year $2.5 million deal.

Allen makes perfect sense as a backup for Davis Mills as they have a similar style of play and Allen although young, has the experience to help Mills though his first full year as the Texans starter.

Texans, Houston, NFL, sports, football