Live Updates: Houston Texans Free Agency Tracker + Trades

Today is the second day of NFL’s free agency period and the Houston Texans are looking to add to their roster. Battle Red Blog is tracking all the big updates and rumors throughout the opening bell of free agency.

TEXANS FIND BACKUP CB IN RONALD DARBY

Houston brings in journeyman CB Ronald Darby on a one-year, $2.5M contract, per Adam Schefter. Darby has spent time with six other franchises, never more than two years in one place. Corner was among the biggest depth concerns on the defense and now they have a short-term solution behind Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley Jr.

TEXANS SIGN A FULLBACK - JAKOB JOHNSON

Johnson comes from the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program as he is from Germany. He’s spent time with the New York Jets, Giants, New England Patriots, and Las Vegas Raiders. He will compete with British Brooks for the fullback role.

TEXANS BOLSTER DEFENSIVE LINE, RESIGN MARIO EDWARDS JR.

The productive and stable veteran returns to Houston on a two-year deal worth $9.5M. Edwards turned 31 this January and posted three sacks in a rotational role in Houston.

The Texans defensive end depth chart just got very crowded. They have Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr., Derek Barnett, Dylan Horton, Mario Edwards, Darrell Taylor, and Denico Autry. That’s seven defensive ends for four to five spots. However, Edwards played primarily defensive tackle for the Texans and could see a full-time move to that position as a pass rush specialist.

TEXANS FINALLY ADD TO THE OFFENSIVE LINE WITH LAKEN TOMLINSON

Caserio is up and running today. After the Kenyon Greed deal, he’s signed journeyman guard Laken Tomlinson to take over the left guard spot. Tomlinson spent last season with the Seahawks but was previously with the Jets, 49ers, and Lions.

Tomlinson just turned 33 and will be entering his 11th season in the NFL. His stats and grades last season were not promising nor his best work. Ideally, Tomlinson is a backup option, but he did start 17 games last season on a woeful Seahawks offensive line.

TEXANS TRADE KENYON GREEN FOR C.J. GARDNER JOHNSON

The deals keep on dealing. The Texans have shipped off another offensive lineman. This time in the much maligned guard Kenyon Green to the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

The Texans and Eagles exchange 2026 day-three draft picks in the deal. It’s safe to say Houston will have a new offensive line in 2025.

TEXANS SIGN DE DARRELL TAYLOR FROM BEARS

Houston continues to build its defensive line depth with the addition of end Darrell Taylor. Taylor signed a one-year, $5M contract with the Texans. Taylor lasted one season with the Bears before hitting free agency again. He is a third down specialist with high potential for sacks, but has yet to hit his early production marks.

TEXANS SIGN SUPER BOWL CHAMP JUSTIN WATSON

Another addition to the wide receiver room. WR Justin Watson leaves the Kansas City Chiefs and joins the Houston Texans Another death knell for fans wanting the Texans to resign Stefon Diggs.

Watson played four seasons for the Bucs before three productive and winning years with the Chiefs. He is known for his blocking and big plays in key moments for the Chiefs. His addition will provide depth to the room in the wake of Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs’ injuries.

TEXANS TRADE LAREMY TUNSIL

In the biggest move of the free agency opening, the Houston Texans have TRADED away Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders. Houston receives a second, third, and fourth round pick.

The trade: The Texans are giving up Tunsil and a 2025 fourth-round pick in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick, 2025 seventh-round pick, 2026 second-round pick and 2026 fourth-round pick.

I repeat - Laremy Tunsil is no longer a Houston Texan.

ERIC MURRAY JETTISONS FOR THE JAGS

The Houston Texans lose their first marquee free agent in safety Eric Murray.

The deal is for three years and $22.5M. This is a fantastic contract for Eric Murray who started 14 games with the Texans last season.

The 31-year old safety was a mainstay on the defense and a critical piece to the Texans secondary. He now will be playing for division rival Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags have added Jourdan Lewis earlier today to revamp their secondary.

This deal could potentially end up as draft compensation for the Houston Texans.

TEXANS SIGN DB TREMON SMITH

Nick Caserio is cooking this morning. He signs another player with Houston Texans experience in DB Tremon Smith. This deal is for two years and $7.5M according to Aaron Wilson.

Smith is a key special teamer and would be one of, if not the highest paid special teams player. Houston has leaned on their special teams throughout the Nick Caserio era and this continues the trend.

DEREK BARNETT RESIGNS

Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle and Ian Rapoport announced an agreement with DE Derek Barnett to a one-year, $5M contract to stay with the Texans.

Barnett was a fantastic rotational addition to the team last year on the defensive line to give them edge depth. His five sacks last season was his most since 2020 with the Philadelphia Eagles.

TEXANS ADD WR BRAXTON BERRIOS

The Houston Texans are off and running this morning. They have added veteran WR Braxton Berrios to a one year deal according to Adam Schefter.

Berrios is entering his seventh season and only played six games in 2024 for the Miami Dolphins. Berrios is a slot receiver and should be a short-term fix until either Stefon Diggs or Tank Dell possibly return in 2025.

SHELDON RANKINS COMES HOME

Defensive Tackle Sheldon Rankins signs a one year, $7M deal to come back to the Houston Texans. He signed a two year deal with Cincinnati in 2023 before the Bengals cut him loose after one season.

NEWS: Stefon Diggs in Houston for Rodeo

Former Houston Texans wide receiver and current free agent Stefon Diggs was spotted at the Houston Rodeo yesterday. He was donning a cowboy hat, belt buckle, and frills outside at the NRG rodeo grounds.

The star WR being in Houston the day before free agency kicks off is a good sign for the Texans to resign him, but it is also reported the Houston Texans aren’t in the market for Diggs.