The Houston Texans are probably the team most affected by free agency (at least in a positive light) in the NFL. The Texans suddenly head into 2016 with a franchise quarterback and several quality free agents to help this team make a run deep into the postseason.
Thanks to their playoff berth, the Texans will now have the 22nd overall pick during the 2016 NFL Draft. The Texans acquired quarterback Brock Osweiler during the free agency period from the Denver Broncos.
Sure, Osweiler was expensive, but it beats gambling your first overall pick, especially when it is so late in the first round. Osweiler will come in and start immediately. Houston also signed two offensive linemen after losing offensive guard Brandon Brooks to the Philadelphia Eagles and center Ben Jones to the Tennessee Titans.
The Texans replaced these players with former Oakland Raiders center Tony Bergstrom and former Kansas City Chief Jeff Allen. Any offensive line signings should help bolster the line for Osweiler in the future. The Texans also signed running back Lamar Miller.
Miller was the offensive star of the Dolphins as he carried the load on more than one occasion. In 2015, however, the Dolphins barely gave Miller any carries, forcing him to re-evaluate their relationship. Miller decided to hit free agency and join the Texans where it is assumed he will have a gigantic role after they released Arian Foster.
The Texans also re-signed running back Jonathan Grimes as he seemed to be the most consistent backup on the roster. The Texans still have to patch up some holes in their roster regardless of all of their free agent signings.
The Texans needed a productive new defensive end prior to free agency, and they still need one now. The team will also need a wide receiver to compliment DeAndre Hopkins as well as bring in another deep threat for the young Osweiler. Houston could also add some extra protection by strengthening the offensive line through the draft.
Lastly, the Texans need a new tight end, and this draft might be the perfect spot to find the right one. Hunter Henry is easily the best tight end prospect in the entire 2016 class, so he could be a target for the Texans as they will be picking late in almost every round. Drafting a quality defensive end at this position should be tough, but with such a deep class the Texans could find a future star at any point within the first round.
