Houston Texans reportedly make two significant free agency pickups

A pair of non-free agency news items emerged on Sunday, with the team agreeing to a three-year contract extension with star left tackle Laremy Tunsil, in addition to dealing wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the Dallas Cowboys. Houston had two more notable moves on Monday, this time bolstering its roster via free agency.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported in the late afternoon that the Texans have agreed to terms with former Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary. Less than an hour later, fellow NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero tweeted that ex-Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz is also headed to Houston. Both players should make an instant impact for an offense that ranked among the worst in the NFL last season.

Devin Singletary #26 of the Buffalo Bills runs the ball against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on January 8, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York.

Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Singletary’s deal is a one-year contract worth up to $3.75 million. The 25-year-old led the Bills in rushing in each of his first four years in the NFL, rushing for 819 yards and five touchdowns while hauling in 38 catches for 280 yards and a score last season. Singletary’s arrival should help ease the workload of breakout rookie Dameon Pierce, who rushed for 939 yards and four touchdowns last year before missing the final four games of 2022 with an injury.

Schultz is also reportedly signing a one-year deal, with a potential compensation of up to $9 million. He is an imposing figure at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, and he’s proven to be a starting-caliber receiving weapon with 198 receptions, 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns over the last three years in Dallas. At only 26 years old, perhaps this short-term signing could become a long-term contributor for the Texans.

These additions likely decrease the odds Houston targets either the running back or tight end position early in next month’s NFL draft, with quarterback, offensive line, receiver and the defensive front among the areas they could address during the first two days.