The 2024 NFL draft is in the books, and theHouston Texans have improved as a roster. At least that’s how DeMeco Ryans feels with the nine newcomers set to better Houston’s odds of winning a Super Bowl come February in New Orleans.
“We like all the guys that we were able to pick,” Ryans said early Saturday evening. “We want to work with these guys. We’re fired up about it.”
The Texans are confident this could be their year. They should, too, after spending over $150 million in guaranteed money to secure high-profile free agents like defensive end Danielle Hunter, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and defensive lineman Denico Autry. Houston also traded draft capital to acquire Pro Bowlers Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon and elevations to an already promising offense headlined by C.J. Stroud.
Houston’s all-in for 2024 because it has to be. Next offseason, 46 of the current 87 players on staff will hit free agency. And sure, several lower-tier names are easy to replace, but Diggs isn’t one of them. Neither is potentially Jimmie Ward, Houston’s defensive captain and vocal leader on the field.
Don’t forget about Nico Collins, either. The breakout pass-catcher is coming off a career season and wants to be properly compensated. General manager Nick Caserio has mentioned talks of an extension, but that was before the team acquired Diggs. Now, Collins might be willing to bet on himself for more money on the market.
Before rookie minicamp begins, let’s take an early look at the 46 Bears players slated to hit free agency in 2025.
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Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) reacts after the game against the Kansas City Chiefs 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 05: Head Coach DeMeco Ryans of the Houston Texans talks with Jimmie Ward #1 before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Jeff Okudah (1) warms up before the Detroit Lions game at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 10: Quarterback Davis Mills #10 of the Houston Texans looks to pass during the second quarter during the preseason game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 10, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 06: Andrew Beck #47 of the Houston Texans reacts after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 06, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Oct 6, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans long snapper Jon Weeks (46) during the game before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Noah Brown (85) makes a catch against the Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (18) throws against the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023.
Nov 5, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) is tackled by Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart (29) in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Robert Woods #2 of the Houston Texans is tackled by Del’Shawn Phillips #53 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Dec 17, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Houston Texans place kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn (15) celebrates with linebacker Neville Hewitt (43) after kicking the game-winning field goal in overtime to beat the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 27: Charlie Heck #67 of the Houston Texans makes a reception against the Cincinnati Bengals at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 21: Eric Murray #23 of the Houston Texans celebrates after a defensive stop against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 15: Khalil Davis #94 of the Houston Texans tackles Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 05: Dare Ogunbowale #33 of the Houston Texans kicks a field goal in the fourth quarter of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
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Aug 27, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Houston Texans safety Grayland Arnold (25) warms up during pregame during pregame against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Feb 27, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Arkansas defensive lineman McTelvin Agim (DL01) speaks to the media during the 2020 NFL Combine in the Indianapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Houston Texans defensive tackle Kurt Hinish (93) warms up during pregame during pregame against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans helmet on the sideline during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
HOUSTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 19: Jake Hansen #35 of the Houston Texans tackles Salvon Ahmed #26 of the Miami Dolphins in the first half during the preseason game at NRG Stadium on August 19, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
Jul 28, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; A view of a Houston Texans helmet during training camp at the Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Detailed view of a Houston Texans helmet against the Indianapolis Colts during the AFC Wild Card at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
