Grading the Texans' free agent legal tampering period: Houston has been active early with both big and small moves

The Houston Texans have been one of the most active teams in the NFL during the free agent legal tampering period.

Not only have they agreed to terms with multiple free agents, but they've also re-signed some of their own key players and have made three big trades. Every decision that the Texans make is geared toward taking the next step in becoming a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Here are our initial grades and thoughts on each move Houston has made so far . . .

Texans re-sign DL Mario Edwards Jr.: B+

This was a logical move for Houston to make as Edwards has been a steady and versatile player for the Texans last season. He recorded three sacks and 11 quarterback pressures in 2024, and can play both defensive tackle and defensive end.

Texans re-sign DE Derek Barnett: A

Yet another no-brainer decision. Barnett had a resurgent year in 2024 with five sacks and 12 QB pressures in a rotational role. Keeping him and Edwards around will help keep the Houston pass rush one of the most productive in the league.

Texans sign DL Sheldon Rankins: B

Rankins returns to the Texans after spending the 2024 season with the Cincinnati Bengals. A hamstring injury and illness cost him over half the year in Cincy, leading to his early release. One of Rankins' best years of his career was in 2023 with Houston, so he should fit right back in.

Texans sign DL Darrell Taylor: C+

Taylor displayed good pass rush ability early in his career with 16 sacks during his first two seasons, but has declined each of the last two years. He only registered three with the Chicago Bears in 2024. If he can regain his early form, he'll be a good third down pass rush specialist. 

Texans sign WR Justin Watson: B

Watson is a nice depth signing. He played well for the Kansas City Chiefs as a rotational WR and occasional starter. Watson has underrated speed and is a very smart player who is always in the right position.

Texans sign WR Braxton Berrios: C

Braxton is another depth signing, but he's coming off an ACL tear that cost him the final 11 games of the 2024 season. The Texans are wise to stockpile on WRs, but he won't be a lock to make the roster, especially if he isn't fully recovered.

Texans sign OL Laken Tomlinson: C

This one is a bit tough to grade as it is dependent on whether or not Houston views Tomlinson as a starter. The 33-year-old has plenty of experience and started all 17 games for the Seattle Seahawks in 2024, but didn't grade very well. He would make for fine depth, but ideally not someone you want starting.

Texans sign DB Tremon Smith: B

The Texans are reuniting with another one of their former players, as Smith spent 2021 and 2022 in Houston. While he doesn't contribute much defensively, he will once again be a core special teams player for Houston. 

Texans trade 2026 seventh-round pick for WR Christian Kirk: A

If Kirk can stay healthy, this could be one of the biggest steals of the offseason. Kirk is one of the best slot WRs in the league and is just two years remove from a 1,000 yard season. Injuries have hampered him each of the last two years, but in 2024 he averaged a career-high 14 yards per reception.

Texans trade LT Laremy Tunsil and 2025 fourth-round pick for multi-year draft haul: B+

The only factor preventing this move from earning an A is that Houston will have to hit on whoever it brings in to replace Tunsil. Otherwise, it was very smart to move on from him as he is now on the wrong side of age 30 and is coming off the worst year of his career.

Texans trade OL Kenyon Green and 2025 fifth-round pick for S C.J. Gardner-Johnson and 2025 sixth-round pick: A

Moving on from Green is a positive move as he has been one of the worst guards in the league over the past couple of seasons. Gardner-Johnson is coming off one of the best years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles and will solidify the Texans' secondary as one of the best in the NFL.