Texans’ Trenches in Transition: Houston’s Interior Defense Faces Offseason Crossroads
The Houston Texans are coming off a season that turned heads across the league. With 12 wins, a dominant Wild Card showing, and the league’s top-ranked pass defense by EPA, DeMeco Ryans has clearly built something special.
The defense, in particular, was a force-fast, physical, and downright suffocating at times. But as the 2026 offseason kicks off, the celebration gives way to a more sobering reality: the core of that dominant defense is at risk of cracking right down the middle.
This isn’t just a typical free agency shuffle. Houston’s defensive interior is staring down a potential overhaul, and the front office-led by GM Nick Caserio-has some critical decisions to make.
Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter are locked in as elite edge anchors, but inside? It’s a different story entirely.
Expiring contracts have left the middle of the defensive line looking more like a blank slate than a foundation.
If the Texans want to keep their championship window wide open, they’ll need to get aggressive-and fast.
Interior Defensive Line: The Epicenter of Houston’s Offseason
The Texans are set to lose a trio of key interior contributors: Sheldon Rankins, Tim Settle, and Folo Fatukasi are all heading to free agency. That leaves breakout nose tackle Tommy Togiai as the lone returning presence with significant upside. While Togiai showed flashes, he can’t carry the load alone-not in a defense that thrives on rotation, disruption, and depth.
So where does Houston turn? The free agent market offers some intriguing options, and one name is already rising to the top of the Texans’ wishlist.
John Franklin-Myers: The Must-Have Piece
If Houston wants to keep its pass rush elite and shore up the run defense, John Franklin-Myers might be the most important name of the offseason. The versatile defensive lineman-who spent 2025 with the Broncos-is the kind of player who can do a little bit of everything. He’s been a top-10 interior pass rusher, but he’s also stout enough to handle run responsibilities inside and flexible enough to kick out to the edge when needed.
That versatility fits perfectly with what DeMeco Ryans wants to do schematically. Franklin-Myers could anchor the 3-tech, spell Hunter on the outside, or even help free up linebackers like Azeez Al-Shaair by eating up space and blockers. He’s not just a fit-he’s a potential game-changer.
But there’s a catch: money.
Houston is projected to be about $6.6 million over the cap. If Caserio wants to bring in a player like Franklin-Myers-and potentially a few more reinforcements-he’ll need to start pulling financial levers.
Restructuring deals for veterans like Danielle Hunter, Tytus Howard, and Nico Collins could open up as much as $72 million in cap space. That’s not just flexibility; it’s firepower.
Other Interior Options: Depth and Development
If Franklin-Myers proves too pricey-or if he lands elsewhere-Houston has other paths to explore.
- D.J. Reader (Detroit Lions): A familiar face who could bring veteran presence and run-stuffing ability. At 32, Reader wouldn’t be a long-term fix, but he could be a reliable plug-and-play option if the Texans want a physical anchor inside.
- Logan Hall (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): More of a developmental swing, Hall offers interior pass-rush upside and fits the aggressive style Ryans prefers. If Tampa Bay decides to move on, Hall could be a strong rotational piece with room to grow.
Key Internal Decisions: Who Stays, Who Goes?
While the Texans explore external reinforcements, they also have decisions to make in-house.
- Denico Autry: A veteran presence who brought leadership and versatility. His locker room value is high, and his ability to play inside and out makes him a potential priority re-signing.
- Sheldon Rankins: One of the most consistent interior defenders on the roster last season. If Houston can’t land Franklin-Myers, bringing Rankins back might be the next best move.
- Christian Harris: A talented linebacker who’s shown flashes, but injuries have slowed his development. His future with the team could hinge on health and cap considerations.
Secondary and Linebacker Depth: Don’t Fix What Isn’t Broken
Houston’s pass defense was elite for a reason-the front seven brought pressure, and the secondary capitalized. With Derek Stingley Jr. emerging as a true shutdown corner and rookie safety Calen Bullock flashing big-time potential, the Texans don’t need to overhaul the back end. But depth matters, and a few strategic additions could round out the unit.
- Bryan Cook (Kansas City Chiefs): A breakout safety in 2025, Cook would be a splash signing. But like Franklin-Myers, he’d require cap gymnastics to bring in.
- Jaylen Watson (Kansas City Chiefs): A physical corner who fits Ryans’ mold. If Houston wants a reliable CB2 opposite Stingley, Watson could be a strong option-especially if Cook proves too expensive.
- Devin Lloyd (Jacksonville Jaguars): If the team decides to move on from Christian Harris, Lloyd offers three-down versatility and All-Pro potential. He’d be a high-upside addition to an already fast, physical linebacker group.
The Big Picture: Strengthen the Core, Extend the Window
The Texans have their quarterback. They’ve got elite edge rushers.
They’ve got a secondary that can lock down the league’s best. But if they want to take the next step-from playoff threat to Super Bowl contender-they need to reinforce the middle of their defense.
This offseason isn’t about a rebuild. It’s about refinement. It’s about making the kind of smart, aggressive moves that keep a championship window wide open.
If Caserio and the front office can move money, land a cornerstone like Franklin-Myers, and plug the gaps inside, this Texans defense could go from elite to downright terrifying.
The blueprint is there. Now it’s time to build.