With free agency and the draft in the rearview, the NFL offseason is now mostly in the books. Some teams significantly improved their chances to compete next season, while others took a back seat, leaving the offseason with more questions than when they entered.
Houston Texans
Offseason Grade: C+
Notable Additions: WR Christian Kirk (trade), S C.J. Gardner-Johnson (trade), G Ed Ingram (trade), LT Cam Robinson, DT Sheldon Rankins, WR Braxton Berrios, G Laken Tomlinson, DT Mario Edwards Jr. (re-signed), WR Jayden Higgins, WR Jaylin Noel, OL Aireontae Ersery, RB Woody Marks, CB Jaylin Smith, S Jaylen Reed
Notable Departures: LT Laremy Tunsil (trade), G Kenyon Green (trade), S Eric Murray, WR Stefon Diggs
The offseason started a bit rocky for the Houston Texans, as their biggest weakness became even worse. They had the 31st-ranked offensive line in our rankings in 2024, ahead of only the Patriots, which played a major role in C.J. Stroud’s sophomore slump. Houston responded by trading away left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who allowed the second-lowest pressure rate at the position but also a league-leading 17 penalties.
While the Texans got good value from Washington for Tunsil, current starting left tackle Cam Robinson is a massive downgrade. They also swapped guard Kenyon Green for safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, though they signed veteran Laken Tomlinson and made a trade with the Vikings for Ed Ingram.
Houston got the better player in the deal, but they weakened an already weak unit while adding to a secondary filled with talent. Christian Kirk may have been the Texans’ best addition this offseason because they got him for next to nothing.
The Texans’ draft class saved the front office from getting a much lower grade here. Second-round pick Aireontae Ersery is a mountain of a man, and he has starting upside in the NFL, which would be huge given the team’s offensive line woes. They selected a pair of productive Iowa State wide receivers in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel — as Stefon Diggs is gone and Tank Dell is expected to miss a chunk of the upcoming season.
Houston also inked contract extensions for superstar cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and versatile safety Jalen Pitre. Both are foundational pieces of the secondary, so it was smart to lock them down long term.
Dallas Cowboys
Offseason Grade: B-
Notable Additions: WR George Pickens (trade), RB Javonte Williams, RB Miles Sanders, DT Solomon Thomas, DE Payton Turner, DE Dante Fowler Jr., DT Osa Odighizuwa (re-sign), CB Kaiir Elam (trade), LB Kenneth Murray Jr. (trade), G Tyler Booker, EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, CB Shavon Revel Jr., RB Jaydon Blue
Notable Departures: CB Jourdan Lewis, DE DeMarcus Lawrence, OT Chuma Edoga, RB Rico Dowdle, WR Brandin Cooks
The Dallas Cowboys have officially moved on from Mike McCarthy after five seasons, and now the Brian Schottenheimer era begins. After letting several top head coaching candidates come off the board, Jerry Jones and company settled for an internal hire, which was an interesting decision. Only time will tell if it was the right one.
In typical Cowboys fashion, the front office didn’t do a ton in free agency, though they were a bit more active compared to last offseason. Their most notable signings include running back Javonte Williams and edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. — moves that could help offset the losses of Rico Dowdle and DeMarcus Lawrence.
Losing Jourdan Lewis was also notable, as he’s been one of the better slot corners in football. The team re-signed defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, who has shown promise.
Dallas made up for an unspectacular free agency with a rock-solid draft class, including Tyler Booker, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and Shavon Revel Jr., all of whom could become starters in 2025 or soon after. Jaydon Blue also has the potential to overtake veterans Williams and Miles Sanders in the backfield.
The Cowboys’ biggest offseason splash was acquiring George Pickens from the Steelers. They’ve long been looking for a capable receiving threat opposite CeeDee Lamb, and this move forms a lethal duo for Dak Prescott. Dallas is betting on talent above all else here.
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