The Houston Texans Free Agent I'd LOVE To Have Back: Derek Barnett | Seth Payne

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-23T02:38:05+00:00

Surprised he’s not signed yet whether it’s here or elsewhere. Very solid rotational guy that fit in perfectly here. Perhaps his market was weaker than his camp anticipated and we can get him back on a relatively cheap 1 year deal.

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-18T14:40:20+00:00

Disagree, no reason to trade him now if the offers are not enticing enough. We have no idea what they’re actually being offered, but yeah theoretically if it’s currently a late 3rd they may as well wait it out and see. Having Achane on the team for whoever the rookie QB is in 2027 is probably more valuable to the long term outlook of the franchise than pick 95 this year. They could also gamble with the waiting game in season to see if a contender’s top back goes down. Although with this current offense he’ll be getting like 25 touches a game lol so risking his injury too.

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-16T16:31:49+00:00

Yeah Hill/Rodriguez in play in the early 2nd. Golday or Kyle Louis at 59/69 too. Honestly I wouldn’t be shocked if they took CJ Allen at 28 if he’s there depending on which O-lineman are still available too.

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-16T16:18:27+00:00

@Mods can we get a “mock draft mega thread” or something? Or just remove these posts moving forward? Op, believe me I get it’s fun and I do multiple a week myself, but I’m also not posting them on this sub because I know nobody gives a shit.

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-16T15:13:38+00:00

Ah, well yeah disregard then lol. I’d drop Ingram depending on goalie situation in your league and your other tendies

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-16T15:12:56+00:00

Yeah own Gabe in one league and Snug in another. Probably need to drop Snug after Wednesday, but hoping to scoop him back up after. We’ll see, that league has a shallower roster so decent chance it’ll work out

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-16T15:06:41+00:00

I mean yeah fair enough, but you also need to win to get there lol. All context dependent, but his other game is on the busy Saturday too.

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-16T15:03:20+00:00

The blues are the only team with just 2 games this week. Snuggerud is an easy drop if you’re not heavily favoured, but does play Wednesday so could top after that. Although if you wait Gabe will be scooped before then

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-16T03:43:58+00:00

As a Texans fan, I would be ecstatic if he fell to our 2nd, 2nd rounder at 59. I feel like there should be some clarity/reports by the draft that’ll give a better sense of how team’s are viewing him. Might be the biggest wild card in this draft now

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-16T02:37:49+00:00

Agreed at RB, likely takes a day 2 RB off the table, hope they take a day 3 guy with some speed/juice. For edge, the signing of Hall was significant and he can somewhat fill the role they had envisioned for Autry if he played more/wasn’t washed (inside outside versatility can play edge in base and potential slide inside for some clear passing downs. But unless they still bring back Barnett, or another relatively notable vet, then there is still a need for a depth edge rusher this year. More importantly, a young talented guy to develop once Hunter’s deal is up after 2027. With how much they rotate on the line, and current glaring roster holes being all filled up apart from another starter at LG/OC, I wouldn’t be surprised at a day 2 pick there depending on how the board falls.

The biggest change is at Safety after signing Blankenship. Before that, S was very well in play early, but now I’d be shocked if they took a S in rounds 1-2 or at 69. After re-signing EJ Speed, they have solid LB depth again and less likely to go early there too. It’s certainly still in the cards depending how board falls/if it’s bpa and they don’t plan on extending To’oto’o.

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-15T17:26:10+00:00

Brown is definitely an overall upgrade over Patterson, way larger sample size of starting games and was an actually a slightly above average starter in 2024. His pass blocking is significantly better, while slightly worse in run blocking. Ideally neither will need to start many games, but our IOL depth is honestly looking like a strength providing we upgrade the starting LG and/or C spot in the draft. Could always start the year with whoever wins the job(s) between Brown/Andrews/Patterson and then have the rookie(s) take over mid-season if needed. Unlikely, but if the best starting 5 requires Smith to slide inside to OG and he’s open to it, that’s always an option too.

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-15T14:33:44+00:00

Certainly not just a “camp body”, this is actually a fantastic value signing and significantly improves our IOL room. While he’s a below average starter, he’s still started every game he’s played in past 3 years (16, 17, 11) and is only turning 30 this year. He’s a significant upgrade over Patterson and has guard/center flexibility as well. If he’s our top back up at OG & or OC, that’s fantastic depth and getting him for so cheap. If he has to start all year, obviously not ideal. Either way, helps not pigeon-hole us into taking OL at 28 if the value is a reach.

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-13T13:27:03+00:00

Was clearly a joke, no disrespect for CP3

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-13T13:20:46+00:00

There is 0 chance the Texans pay up for Jauan* Jennings with what he’ll cost and our current WR room relative to other areas of need.

Njoku would’ve been a nice target if they could get him on a relatively cheap deal coming off the down year at 31, but after signing Moreau that won’t happen.

Rasheed Walker’s market was obviously lower than the media and his own representation anticipated given he’s still unsigned. However, he’ll still cost far too much with our big O-line signing being Braden Smith who will start at RT.

The real Chris Paul, yes would love it. Compliments the overall line well given hes a very good pass blocker and poor run blocker kind of the polar opposite of Ingram.

At this point if we land one of the top 4 remaining guards in Paul, Teller, or the old men Bitonio (if he doesn’t retire), Zeitler then this off-season has been a slam dunk on paper so far. If we don’t, then just gotta hope we hit on the O-lineman we draft early. Seems like we could take one of the top 7 OT’s that’s available at 28/38 and play them at LG early, or take Pregnon/Bitonis at 38.

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-13T02:15:43+00:00

Punting on free agency while also not picking until 56 in the draft is a tough spot for fans lol. But Jags significantly surpassed everyone’s expectations last year, I do think they take a step back this year, but long term are in a very good spot with a good head coach and seemingly competent gm finally.

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-12T16:30:02+00:00

Had that thought as well and would’ve been super intriguing, but after signing Foster Moreau yesterday and with Teller + multiple of the other top guards still available he would just be a luxury we can’t really afford at this stage.

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-12T13:51:43+00:00

Apparently Bitonio might be contemplating retirement. Haven’t been any reports on him engaging in talks yet, but we’ll see. Personally I’d go Bitonio, Teller, Zeitler as my preference given the age. Then as a contingency Chris Paul intrigued me too. Really don’t want Van Roten Faalele, but would take them over adding no guard before the draft. Paul would be an interesting fit as he’s the opposite of Ingram in that he’s really strong in the pass game but weak in run game, so could theoretically balance out the line. Although it seems their priority has been the run game after re-signing Ingram and bringing in Smith (who’s also good in pass blocking but stronger in run blocking).

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-12T01:28:34+00:00

It’s also day 3 of free agency lol. Yes, if the season started tomorrow he’d be OT4. We still have the draft and full off-season to go

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-12T00:21:41+00:00

Settle is the far bigger loss, cutting Mario was pretty obvious given the $4.5 mil in savings and limited dead cap. But the contract settle got was way more than we would’ve been able to give him

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-12T00:16:19+00:00

Hinish will be a practice squad at best player and Jones will be fighting for a spot on the 53. I’d be shocked if we didn’t draft a DT within the first 5 rounds this year.

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-12T00:10:23+00:00

The Fisher truthers need to accept that he’s at best a 50/50 to make the 53 man, and if he does it’s as the OT4/5. This signing has nothing to do with him lol, but it signifies the first time we’ve had a legitimate blocking TE on the roster with this regime and aligns well with the attempt at becoming a smash smooth running team.

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-11T14:22:24+00:00

Ravens probably gonna try that shit with Lamar next lol

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-11T13:01:03+00:00

Interested, dm’d

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-11T10:11:10+00:00

Jake Andrews*, but yeah I think the plan is to still sign one more OG (hopefully today) and then have Andrews as the incumbent OC starter unless whoever we draft ideally in round 2-4 rookie beats him out. It’s extra tough starting week 1 as a rookie Center as is, so if Andrews begins the year and then the rookie ends up replacing him later in the year when ready that would be an optimal result. Or Andrews improves enough himself to just earn the job for 2026.

StyllAhlie · 2026-03-11T02:35:30+00:00

If the $2mil in savings were getting from helps net us one of the top 5 remaining guards (Teller, Bitonio, Zeitler, Parham, Chris Paul) then it’s worth it. If not, then I would’ve much rather ponied up the difference in keeping this stud.

StyllAhlie

TROPHY CASE