{"id":6270,"date":"2025-10-16T06:35:27","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T06:35:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/6270\/"},"modified":"2025-10-16T06:35:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T06:35:27","slug":"houston-texans-top-5-trade-deadline-targets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/6270\/","title":{"rendered":"Houston Texans: Top 5 Trade Deadline Targets"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you were to take a quick gander at Houston\u2019s upcoming slate of games<\/a>, you\u2019ll quickly realize that they\u2019re currently at the base of a terrifying mountain of opponents. Seahawks, 49ers, and Broncos, oh my! If the Texans have their eye on a surging towards a winning record, then they will have to steel themselves for the turbulence that lies ahead.<\/p>\n

Though, that isn\u2019t to say their star quarterback, CJ Stroud, hasn\u2019t earned the luxury of confidence after his recent performance. He and new offensive coordinator Nick Caley have plenty to be proud of after their dismantling of the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens, outscoring the two opponents 70-10. But, better defenses like those residing in Seattle and San Francisco will certainly put Stroud\u2019s positive momentum to the test. It looks like the new lineup of Texans receivers are starting to gel with their signal caller, but none have the experience to dominate top-end defenses.<\/p>\n

So, as the crucial midseason slate approaches, what can general manager Nick Caserio do to shift the odds towards his quarterback\u2019s favor? Well, as I\u2019m sure he would agree, it\u2019s about time to consult the trade market for available players! While the trade-deadline frenzy of activity holds no candle to the sheer mania Caserio engages in during free agency or the draft, this period before the November 4th deadline can suffice as a final tuneup for the Texans. Every year, there are several offensive and defensive starters available on the trade block in the middle of the season, creating a unique contest of resource management between GMs. As one team searches for that final piece to an all-star cast, another team hunts for a new body to replace their injured starter. Some teams look for the overlooked players who could contribute intermittently during a playoff run, and other teams – like the Cleveland Browns this year – become the dealers of the bunch.<\/p>\n

So, who\u2019s available? Well, after filing through several depth charts, here are my top five players the Houston Texans should target before the trade deadline:<\/p>\n

\"MIAMI<\/a><\/p>\n

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – SEPTEMBER 29: Breece Hall #20 of the New York Jets walks off of the field after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 29, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Cooper Neill\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n

You can look in the mirror and tell yourself that Nick Chubb and Woody Marks are good enough running backs to get your team through a successful season on the ground, or you can avoid the question altogether by trading for current New York Jets running back Breece Hall. While Chubb has been a pleasant surprise and my adoration of Woody Marks knows no bounds, I still wouldn\u2019t mind another starting-caliber back on the roster that can take the lion\u2019s share of carries in the event of emergency or desperation.<\/p>\n

Houston\u2019s previous star back, Joe Mixon, still remains shrouded in mystery for the most part, with general manager Nick Caserio only recent statement<\/a> on the matter being, \u2018\u201c[Mixon\u2019s] making progress, so we wouldn\u2019t put a particular timetable on it. I think over the next three or four weeks we\u2019ll probably get more information here, kind of see how he\u2019s progressing.\u201d Caserio is hoping that the team will know if Mixon is playing this season at all sometime in the next three or four weeks, so\u2026if he\u2019s playing at all, it won\u2019t be for very long. Whatever this foot\/leg\/turf toe injury really is, it\u2019s enough to have tainted the optimism I formerly had for Mixon and set my mind on finding who will be his heir apparent. Woody Marks very well could be RB1 in the future, but until that future arrives, Breece Hall remains a perfect remedy to Houston\u2019s rushing difficulties.<\/p>\n

Since his achilles tear that ended a remarkable 2022 rookie campaign, Hall has been virtually indestructible for the Jets. He compiled back-to-back seasons of 1,300+ yards from scrimmage and 8+ touchdowns, and he\u2019s already up to 500 this season so far. He may not have the elusiveness of Saquon Barkely or the sheer power of Joe Mixon, but Hall has the juice to be an integral piece to a playoff-caliber offense based in Houston. On top of that, Hall\u2019s recent cryptic instagram post<\/a> may be alluding to his availability on the trade block:<\/p>\n

\"LAS<\/a><\/p>\n

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 12: Tre Tucker #1 of the Las Vegas Raiders completes a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans at Allegiant Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brooke Sutton\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n

Another wide receiver may seem like the last thing this offense needs, especially with the gradual ascension of rookie Iowa State Cyclones Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel\u2026but hear me out! Don\u2019t you think there\u2019s always room for more speed? More 4.40s sprinters catching photogenic passes from CJ Stroud? More stretching of the defenses? I sure do, and Tre Tucker will add plenty more of that!<\/p>\n

Tucker may not get Texans fans leaping out of their seat if he were to join the team, but his recent chemistry with Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith has made me wonder what he\u2019d be capable of with CJ Stroud, instead. Just check out these plays:<\/p>\n

Current Texans receivers Christian Kirk and Jaylin Noel are capable of filling this \u201cspeedster\u201d role, and the eventual return of Tank Dell will give Stroud the chance to throw to one of his favorite targets in 2023. But, why stop there? Why not trade for Tre Tucker and add even more explosive ammunition to the team? The Texans have had a history of seeing their offenses decline when the vertical threat is removed from the equation (see: Will Fuller in 2018-2019, Tank Dell in 2024), so in a season as supposedly important as this one, why not add some insurance to the position? An offense like Nick Caley\u2019s thrives on mismatch opportunities, and Tucker\u2019s speed and recent development as a route runner could amount to many easy completions for Stroud as the season wears on.<\/p>\n

\"MIAMI<\/a><\/p>\n

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 14: Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots is under pressure from Jordyn Brooks #20 of the Miami Dolphins during the second half in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n

Offense is clearly the focus of this list, especially considering the state of disparity between it and the Texans\u2019 defense. The defense has been nothing short of masterful thus far in the 2025 season, leading the league in points and fourth in yards. There isn\u2019t a whole lot of room for improvement on this team, but if you held me down and forced a name out of me, I\u2019d squeak out in a broken voice, \u201cLB Henry To\u2019oTo\u2019o\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

To\u2019oTo\u2019o was one of my very favorite players of 2024. Unassumingly stepping into a starting role for an injured Christian Harris, To\u2019oTo\u2019o practically picked up where Harris left off and became the leading tackler on one of the very best defenses in the NFL. He was a drive-killer for many games in 2024, but in 2025, his struggles in tackling have returned in a big way. What was thought to have been exercised in 2024 returns once again, and despite my belief that To\u2019oTo\u2019o will get back on track, I think the Texans would be remiss not to hit the market in search of a better tackling linebacker.<\/p>\n

Enter Jordyn Brooks, one of the best tacklers in the NFL. Brooks a similar size overall to To\u2019oTo\u2019o, but has excelled more in the NFL thanks to possessing a level of athleticism and inertia that would make To\u2019oTo\u2019o blush. Brooks was a speeding cannon ball while in college, blasting towards any ball carrier silly enough to get in his way. In the NFL, Brooks\u2019 speed and brutality have been nullified a bit thanks to the increased speed of the professional league, but his career has enjoyed a bit a of renaissance in Miami. Considering the Dolphins are 1-5, I wouldn\u2019t put it past them to just go full reset and trade one of their best defenders. This would be luxury spending in Nick Caerio\u2019s eyes, but if the Texans decided to trade for Jordyn Brooks, they may end up with the best defense in the NFL.<\/p>\n

\"CLEVELAND,<\/a><\/p>\n

CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 23: Teven Jenkins #74 of the Cleveland Browns waits for the snap during the second quarter of an NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Los Angeles Rams at Huntington Bank Field on August 23, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett\/Diamond Images via Getty Images) Diamond Images\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

This was still one of the most head scratching free agency events of the 2025 offseason. Teven Jenkins played at a near pro-bowl level with the Chicago Bears in 2024, and not only did they let him walk into free agency, but he went untouched by all NFL teams until late March when the Cleveland Browns pick him up on just a 1-year, $3.05 million deal<\/a>. He was widely expected to get a starting-caliber contract from a guard-hungry team in free agency, and instead became a backup on a team that doesn\u2019t need more guards. Now, if a talented, young player like Jenkins sitting with an undervalued contract like that doesn\u2019t get Nick Caserio\u2019s attention, I don\u2019t know what will!<\/p>\n

It may sound odd pining for a backup and once injured guard to be a trade target for your team. It may sound especially weird considering that Cleveland\u2019s two starters at that position, Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio, are reportedly available on the trade block, according to Adam Schefter.<\/a><\/p>\n

Teller and Bitonio make up one of the best guard duos in the NFL right now, but Bitonio\u2019s age and Teller\u2019s recent declining performance egg me towards preferring Jenkins in Battle Red the most of all. He\u2019s young, on a very affordable one-year contract, and has NFL experience at both guard positions and at left tackle. Based on his performance in 2024, I think Jenkins would make the perfect backup lineman for the Houston Texans, capable of filling in at multiple positions and playing at a high level.<\/p>\n

\"PITTSBURGH,<\/a><\/p>\n

PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 12: David Njoku #85 of the Cleveland Browns in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 12, 2025 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n

At this juncture of the regular season, it is my assessment that Houston\u2019s weakest position group is tight end. Dalton Schultz has absorbed a heavy load on this Nick Caley offense, and to his credit, has performed admirably. But, he won\u2019t be able to bear that weight all season long. Currently, his backups are Harrison Bryant and Brenden Bates. Houston traded for Bryant during the postseason, released him just one week later, then re-signed him after Cade Stover broke his foot<\/a> in week one, and Bates only amounted to 41 snaps split between the Jets and Browns as a rookie last year. Good luck finding anyone that is satisfied with this current tight end\u2019s room, because to me, this team is in desperate need of a tight end like David Njoku.<\/p>\n

Njoku has been the Browns\u2019 starting tight end since they drafted him 29th overall in 2017. He\u2019s been a rock for an otherwise turbulent franchise, averaging over 600 yards a season in his nine years catching passes from one of 17 different Browns quarterbacks. He\u2019s largely a receiving tight end, but his blocking ability is underrated and could be taken advantage of by a coordinator like Caley. Njoku is a big and deadly threat downfield and a veritable mismatch for any would-be tackler after the catch, so a favorite target of Stroud he very much would be. The combination of Njoku and Schultz may not set the world on fire, but to a coordinator like Nick Caley, it would be more than enough to push the quick-pass offense to the next level.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s my list! Really, if you go by Adam Schefter\u2019s list of tradeable players<\/a>, there are a lot of intriguing options for Nick Caserio and the Texans to deliberate on. And they may need it – not only could the Texans use the extra talent at their weakest position groups, but their shallow depth at certain positions could prove to be their achilles heel at the end of the season. Multiple injuries to the tight end and defensive back positions has already pushed backups into significant roles on the team, so fishing at the trade deadline for extra depth should be just up their alley. If this year really is one where the Super Bowl is within reach, or at the very least a playoff win, then engaging the trade market may be a requirement.<\/p>\n

What do you think, though? Should the Texans mortgage their future for an immediate starter, or is Nick Caserio better off saving his draft picks? Do the Texans need another quality tight end, or is their current depth chart good enough until Cade Stover returns? Let us know what you think the Texans should do at the trade deadline down in the comments below!<\/p>\n