The Texans bolstered their defense in free agency and the draft by adding nine players. They will continue to see if others become available, but they have a strong nucleus to work with now as new defensive coordinator Frank Bush begins implementing his philosophy and game plan.
On offense, the Texans still need a backup running back, but they were able to nab two tight ends and an offensive lineman in the draft. All should play a role this season either on offense or on special teams.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: CB Dunta Robinson: Tendered at $9.957M.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--TE Mark Bruener.
--OL Scott Jackson.
--LS Bryan Pittman.
--RB Cecil Sapp.
--CB Jimmy Williams.
--DT Jeff Zgonina.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered)
--DT Earl Cochran (RFA rights terminated after being tendered at $1.01M).
--WR Harry Williams (not tendered as ERFA) had an injury to his spinal cord last year and will be forced to retire from football.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--TE Owen Daniels (tendered at $2.792M with first- and third-round picks as compensation) just attended his first Pro Bowl and remains the future for the Texans at tight end. He is an integral part of the team's offense as a receiver and a blocker.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--WR David Anderson: RFA; $4.5M/3 yrs, $1M SB (Texans matched Broncos offer sheet).
--T Rashad Butler: RFA; tendered at $1.01M; terms unknown.
--TE Joel Dreessen: RFA; tendered at $1.01M; $3.6M/3 yrs, guarantee unknown.
--S Nick Ferguson: UFA; terms unknown.
--DE Stanley McClover (not tendered as RFA); terms unknown.
--C/G Chris White: UFA; terms unknown.
--S Eugene Wilson: Potential UFA; $11.3M/3 yrs, SB unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--DT Shaun Cody: UFA Lions; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
--LB Buster Davis: FA Colts; $445,000/1 yr.
--LB Cato June: FA Buccaneers; $1.5M/1 yr, $500,000 SB.
--QB Dan Orlovsky: UFA Lions; $9.15M/3 yrs, $2.4M SB.
--DE Antonio Smith: UFA Cardinals $35.5M/5 yrs, $12.5M guaranteed.
PLAYERS LOST
--TE Courtney Anderson (released).
--S C.C. Brown: UFA Giants; $1.4M/1 yr, $400,000 SB/$300,000 base guarantee.
--S Will Demps (released).
--CB DeMarcus Faggins: UFA Titans; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
--RB Ahman Green (released).
--LB Morlon Greenwood (released).
--QB Sage Rosenfels (traded Vikings).
--OT Ephraim Salaam (released).
--DE Anthony Weaver (released/failed physical).
