Houston

Texans

A knee injury suffered in late November ended Howard’s 2023 season, as the veteran tackle required surgery to correct the issue. While we don’t know the specifics of the injury, we do know that Howard was sidelined for the majority of OTAs and minicamp while recovering. Now appearing healthy to kick off the first day of training camp, it looks as if Howard is nearing a full return in the coming days.

Cobb is walking away from the field and entering the broadcasting game as a studio analyst for the SEC Network. The former Kentucky wide receiver was a second-round pick of the Packers in 2011 and established himself as one of the league’s top slot receivers during his second season when he went for 80-954-8 on 104 targets. Cobb’s production topped out at 91-1287-12 in 2014, but the veteran receiver strung together a long, productive career in which he totaled more than 7,600 receiving yards along with 54 receiving touchdowns. His final season, which came last year with the Jets, was an underwhelming one. After being brought in by long-time Packers teammate Aaron Rodgers, Cobb played a minimal role for the team in 2023, catching just five passes over the 11 games he appeared in.

Collins was sidelined throughout the spring as he recovered from offseason shoulder surgery. Fresh off signing a new three-year, $72 million deal, the Texans are hoping Collins can replicate the success he had in 2023, which led to a breakout campaign that saw him total 80 receptions for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games. Collins posted career numbers across the board while also averaging a career-high 16.2 YPR in Bobby Slowik’s offense. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound receiver will face stiff target competition with the arrival of Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell (ankle) returning from injury, but Collins should still have plenty of upside as a high-end WR2 in an offense that’s expected to take a massive leap forward after last year’s success.

Tunsil underwent the procedure in February and is “expected to ease into the start of camp,” per Wilson. The veteran left tackle started 14 games for the Texans last season and was named to his fourth Pro Bowl in five years after allowing just five sacks on 20 pressures. His PFF pass-blocking grade of 85.4 ranked as the second-highest grade amongst all tackles (min. 300 pass-blocking snaps). Tunsil, who turns 30 in early August, reportedly “dealt with some swelling and tightness” last season, per a February report from Wilson. We’ll assume this wasn’t anything too serious and that he’ll be up to full speed in short order, barring any setbacks.

The report comes from NBC Houston’s Aaron Wilson. Fisher spent the 2023 and 2024 UFL seasons playing defensive line for the D.C. Defenders, initially rushing the passer as a defensive tackle before moving to the edge the following year. He played well in both roles, producing a 10.8 percent pass-rush win rate in 2023, third among 39 UFL interior defenders with at least 150 pass-rushing snaps, and tied for second in sacks (seven) in 2024, ranked among 25 edge rushers with at least 150 pass-rush snaps.

Hughes will return to play in his 15th NFL season. The veteran pass rusher has spent the last two seasons in Houston, totaling 12 sacks in 34 games. Playing in a reduced role under head coach DeMeco Ryans, Hughes managed just three sacks on 474 snaps, playing on 215 fewer snaps than he did in 2022. He turns 36 in August and will likely be tasked with playing a similar role this season.

Metchie’s pro career has been derailed by a January 2021 ACL tear and a cancer diagnosis in 2022. In offseason practices, the former Alabama star has worked in a rotational role with Houston’s first-team offense. He had 158 yards on 16 receptions in 2023. Metchie will remain an afterthought in the Texans offense for as long as Tank Dell, Stefon Diggs, and Nico Collins are healthy.

At just 31 years old, Nelson has opted to call it quits. The former third-round pick tied a career-high with four interceptions last season while playing on over 1,000 defensive snaps, and, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, fielded multiple offers from teams this offseason. Nelson appeared in 130 regular season contests during his career, racking up 13 interceptions while also recovering four fumbles His 12 pass breakups tied for 23rd most in the league amongst defensive backs last season, as he helped solidify a Texans secondary that allowed the fewest touchdown passes (17) in the league.

Collins’ breakout 2023 campaign (80-1,297-8) has paid off as he’s now contractually set as the Texans’ WR1. Even with Diggs being traded to the Texans, this comes as no surprise as Collins is the younger (and home grown) talent. Collins should be considered in the second round in all one-quarterback, redraft fantasy leagues.

Pierce continues to gain offseason steam in the coach-speak department despite the Texans trading for Joe Mixon and signing him to a three-year, $27 million contract extension. Ryans praised Pierce for his work this offseason, saying he “changed his body” and “has everything it takes to be a really good running back” for the Texans. Pierce struggled mightily in his second season as a pro, rushing for 145-416-2 while averaging a dismal 2.9 YPC. He eventually lost the starting role to Devin Singletary, seeing just 40 touches over the final seven regular season games. Mixon will be 28 at the start of the season. While he’s expected to handle the majority of backfield touches, he’s on the wrong side of the running back age cliff and could be spelled frequently for Pierce in hopes of keeping both backs fresh. Pierce doesn’t have much fantasy upside as long as Mixon is healthy and playing well, but he’s worth rostering as a backfield backup if Mixon were to miss time.