Battle Red Blog
The roster is a fluid concept. Players can come and go, and just because a player has packed their bags and left NRG Stadium doesn’t mean they’re gone for good.
There are multiple former Houston Texans still available via free agency. The Texans have the 11th most cap space available with $28M to spend on their roster. That provides them with plenty of ammunition to stock up on one or two depth pieces to complement the current team. Instead of bringing in an unknown commodity, they could choose to re-sign a former Texan to bolster the roster. The below options are all available for Nick Caserio to explore.
One of the best players in Texans’ history is still a free agent as training camp approaches. The 34-year old would be entering his fourteenth season. His prime years are behind him, but he remains durable and productive. He has played at least sixteen games in each of the past three seasons and averaged more than four touchdowns per year during that stretch.
Hopkins could compete for the sixth or seventh receiver spot and would immediately become the oldest player on the roster. Even with his age, he brings reliable hands and a steady presence on third down. Stroud and Hopkins never played together, and the idea of Hopkins finishing his career where it began adds an interesting wrinkle to the Texans receiver room.
For some reason, Barnett remains a free agent and is the only remaining player that is worthy of re-signing . I could have swore that either Houston or another team would have snapped him up after back-to-back five sack seasons. Players such as Denico Autry, Mario Edwards Jr., all are over 30 and underperformed in 2025. Houston needs to move on from those veterans and develop the young options on the roster.
Barnett is probably looking for a starting role and long-term contract, but Houston needs another short-term deal for a contributing backup. Starters Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter are slated to lead for the foreseeable future with major salary guarantees. If the two sides can come to an agreement, Barnett would be welcome back in Houston anytime.
Brown’s injury issues have plagued is entire career. He landed on the Injured Reserve twice in 2025 and has been disappointing since leaving Houston in 2023. The 30-year old receiver However, Houston lacks a downfield option that can burn defenses and lengthen the field. Brown could be an extremely cheap option for later in the season when he heals from his rib and back injuries suffered in Week 15. Brown...
