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Texans Should Target Three More Free Agents

Originally posted on The Lead | By Cody Taylor | Last updated May 14, 2025 5:52 PM ET

These are the quiet days of the NFL offseason.

We are in the post-draft, pre-camp period where there isn’t much to look forward to besides the recent 2025 NFL schedule release. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans should still look at ways to improve the team while they’re in the news regarding new stadium options.

Now that the NFL Draft has come and gone, let’s look at ways the Houston Texans can still improve their roster. There are still free agents looking for teams, and three in particular can help the Texans next season.

Another first-place schedule is coming, with matchups against the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens.

JK Dobbins, Running Back

Houston native JK Dobbins saw a bounce-back season in 2024 with the Los Angeles Chargers after an unfortunate injury-ridden start to his career. Rushing for a career-high 905 yards and tying his career high of nine touchdowns, he was a key piece in the Chargers’ attempt to run more and not have Justin Herbert throw on every down.

Dobbins is also a solid option for pass catching, with 153 yards on 32 receptions, not far behind Texans pass-catching back Dare Ogunbowale, who had 198 receiving yards out of the backfield on 19 receptions. Dobbins can provide relief as a backup to pro-bowler Joe Mixon and offers running and pass-catching abilities while not showing the offense’s hand when he is on the field. The Texans struggled when Ogunbowale entered the game because it became obvious it was a passing play.

With a solid backup option, it will keep teams on their toes.

Welcome back, JK Dobbins pic.twitter.com/atXzbk9cx6

— Raymond Summerlin (@RMSummerlin) September 8, 2024

Asante Samuel Jr., Cornerback

Despite a weak market due to injury concerns, Asante Samuel Jr. could be a high-risk, high-reward signing for the Houston Texans. Samuel has a quick twitch and good defensive instincts, resulting in six interceptions through his four-year career with the Chargers. He’s a good nickel option who can come behind All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. and standout Kamari Lassiter.

The Houston Texans’ secondary has had a few strong players but has had moments where it has shown some weakness. With games against Kansas City, Buffalo and Baltimore this upcoming season, plus the offensive additions the rest of the AFC South made during the draft — like Jacksonville’s Travis Hunter, Tennessee’s Cam Ward, and Indianapolis’ Tyler Warren — any addition to the secondary can only help.

While injury concerns may worry some, remember the Texans drafted Derek Stingley. He missed half of his rookie season due to injuries and has come into his own as one of the NFL’s top defensive backs.

Brandon Scherff, Guard

It wouldn’t be a Houston Texans discussion without talking about the offensive line. Protecting quarterback CJ Stroud is, and will continue to be, the top priority. We have seen what weak lines do to great quarterbacks, given what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles did to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2020 and 2024 Super Bowls.

Brandon Scherff is an option that can come in and be the veteran presence on the offensive line, replacing the traded Laremy Tunsil and free agent Shaq Mason. The five-time Pro Bowler is a guard anchor that can help bolster a constantly shifting cast of linemen, starting in every game he has played. He started every game the last three years for the Jacksonville Jaguars and can provide stability on the right side.

Scherff can also provide a sense of control, having only been penalized 40 times in 140 games. The Houston Texans were one of the heaviest penalized offensive lines in 2024, and bringing in a strong veteran to anchor the offensive line moving into a new system will be paramount for CJ Stroud going into year three.

Keeping a consistent member in front of CJ Stroud will make life easier for him as the team prepares to face a tough 2025 schedule.

This article first appeared on The Lead and was syndicated with permission.

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