Free agency has been productive for the Houston Texans as they have added pieces throughout the roster to give credibility to new coach DeMeco Ryans’ system.
The Texans have even made some subtractions throughout the process, such as the releases of guard A.J. Cann and defensive end Mario Addison. However, one expected departure has not occurred, and that has left observers puzzled.
According to Sam Monson from Pro Football Focus, the Texans should have traded receiver Brandin Cooks by this point in free agency.
With such a weak group of free agents in several key areas, it seemed likely that teams might turn to the trade market the way they did a season ago when elite playmakers seemed to be constantly on the move.
While some big names have been involved in trades this free agency — namely Jalen Ramsey and Darren Waller — the likes of DeAndre Hopkins and Brandin Cooks have yet to be traded, let alone any of the other players who were the subject of trade rumors before free agency began.
There is still plenty of time for such trades to materialize, but many expected the trade market to be much livelier than it has been, especially since the draft class is also weak in several key areas.
According to Over The Cap, the Texans would eat over $16.2 million in dead money with a salary cap savings of over $10.2 million. Cooks would continue to count on the Texans’ books in 2024 as his contract would incur over $8.1 million in dead money but Houston would still save $16.5 million with the salary cap.
The Texans’ moves indicate they may be willing to move on from Cooks as they have signed wideouts Robert Woods and Noah Brown. What may be holding up the Cooks’ trade is compensation as general manager Nick Caserio seeks the best deal possible given how long the Texans will still be on the hook for his contract.
