Best, worst offseason moves for Houston Texans

The 2023 NFL Draft will be held in Kansas City from April 27-29. Texans GM Nick Caserio has worked hard this offseason to ensure his team doesn't finish with a bottom-three record for the fourth consecutive season. Despite being applauded for most of his moves, Caserio has made a few questionable decisions.

Here are Houston's best and worst offseason moves: 

BEST | Hiring HC DeMeco Ryans

During their coaching tenures in Houston, David Culley and Lovie Smith failed to establish a culture, so who better to turn to than Ryans, the franchise's former team captain? Ryans, the 2022 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year with San Francisco, was one of the most sought-after candidates during this offseason's coaching carousel.

While he just has six seasons of coaching experience, he has already gained a reputation as an emerging star. With the ultimate goal of developing a winning environment, Ryans' hiring will likely end its annual streak of changing coaches.

The hiring has already influenced free agency signings, as Ryans brought along a pair of ex-49ers in safety Jimmie Ward and defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway. The two hope to swiftly turn around a defense that allowed the sixth-most points last season (420). 

BEST | Extending LT Laremy Tunsil 

Having entered the offseason loaded with cap space while not being an ideal destination for free agents, Caserio wisely signed Tunsil to a three-year, $75M contract extension. The deal made Tunsil the highest-paid tackle in NFL history for the second time in his career. 

Last season, Tunsil earned his third career Pro Bowl selection after allowing just one sack, which occurred during Week 1. Since Houston acquired Tunsil from Miami in 2019, he has only surrendered six sacks. Houston will likely select a quarterback in the draft, and whomever it will be in good hands with Tunsil as their blindside protector.

WORST | Trading WR Brandin Cooks at a discounted price

After failing to agree to terms on a deal at the trade deadline, the Texans sent Cooks to Dallas ­for a 2023 fifth-round pick and a 2024 sixth-rounder. Houston will also pay $6M of Cooks' guaranteed $18M salary this season.

Although Cooks made it clear he didn't want to stay in Houston, Caserio might've secured a higher draft pick if he had lowered his asking price at the deadline. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Houston asked for a second and fourth-round pick for Cooks along with the trade partner covering his entire salary, which caused negotiations to break down.

Teams will never want to eat cap for a player who isn't with them, but Houston is far from making the playoffs. Had Caserio been willing to take on more of Cooks' contract or asked for a single pick, he probably could've acquired a higher selection from the Cowboys during the season. 

WORST | Signing WR Robert Woods

Houston had the eighth-fewest receiving yards in the league last season, which is even more concerning considering it attempted the 13th-most passes. Now that Cooks is in Dallas, Caserio decided to give Woods the sixth-most guaranteed money a receiver earned in free agency ($10M), which he may regret.

With at least 500 yards every season, the 31-year-old wideout has been consistently productive throughout his career. However, the career-low 527 yards he totaled with Tennessee last season should raise concerns, given he was coming off an ACL tear and isn't getting younger. 

Sure, Woods will likely be a reliable target and valuable veteran presence, but Houston could've just spent one of their two 2023 first-round picks on a true difference-maker at the position.