There have been several notable acquisitions this offseason, but which Texans currently on the roster are ones you mustn't forget about in 2025? Texans TV's Drew Dougherty and Team Analyst/Radio Sideline Reporter John Harris shared some off-the-radar choices to keep in mind this season.

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Don't you forget about THESE Texans in 2025 | In the Lab presented by Xfinity

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Braden Smith signs from the Colts and Ka'imi Fairbairn gets extended as the Texans' free agency haul takes shape. Marc and John go live on new league year eve.

Marc Vandermeer and John Harris go live from the Sports Radio 610 studios on the eve of the new league year, reacting to Day 2 of legal tampering and a free agency haul that's taking clear shape. The headline signing: Braden Smith, the former Colts right tackle, joins the Texans on a two-year deal worth up to $25 million. John provides the scouting deep dive — Smith was a guard at Auburn (90-plus percent of his college snaps), drafted 37th overall in the same class as Quentin Nelson, and only moved to tackle because a Colts staffer suggested trying him there during OTAs. The hosts leave the guard-vs-tackle decision open, noting it's March 10th with six months until kickoff, and emphasize that Smith's mentality fits the swarm culture regardless of position. John also highlights Jonathan Alexander's article on Smith's openness about mental health and anxiety, calling it impactful for the Houston community.

Ka'imi Fairbairn receives a contract extension, cementing the kicker's status as one of the most important players on the roster — Marc spotlights his clutch 51-yard field goal against Pittsburgh in the playoff opener that pushed the lead to 10-6 and effectively changed the complexion of the game. The Texans also officially announced the signings of Ed Ingram, Trent Brown, Dalton Schultz, E.J. Speed, MJ Stewart, and Danielle Hunter's extension, plus added special teamer Jake Hummel and defensive end Dominique Robinson.

The offensive line discussion dominates the show, with the hosts mapping out the current group — Aireontae Ersery, Jared Patterson/Braden Smith, Jake Andrews/Eli Cox, Ed Ingram, Trent Brown/Blake Fisher — and making the case that the draft's interior linemen (guards especially) are the sweet spot for picks 28, 38, 58, and 68. John draws an extended parallel between Ersery's development trajectory and Duane Brown's, noting Brown told him it took three or four years to truly master the position, and argues Ersery's year-two leap could be significant. Marc delivers the show's signature math: David Montgomery (two years, $6-7 million) plus Reed Blankenship (three years, $24 million) cost roughly what Kenneth Walker alone commanded (three years, $45 million) — and you get a complete running back plus a starting safety for the price of a first-and-second-down-only runner.

Braden Smith Signs, Fairbairn Extended & Free Agency Day 2 Recap

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Marc and John went live for free agency day one. Ed Ingram re-signs, Reed Blankenship joins from Philly, and the O-line rebuild plan comes into focus for 2026.

Marc Vandermeer and John Harris go live from the Sports Radio 610 studios for the first night of the NFL's legal tampering period, reacting in real time to signings, reported deals, and the inevitable fan panic. The headline: Ed Ingram re-signs with the Texans on a three-year, $37.5 million deal — a move both hosts love, especially compared to the Cleveland Browns paying Zion Johnson three years and $50 million for a player Marc would take Ingram over in a heartbeat. The other major acquisition is safety Reed Blankenship from the Eagles on a three-year, $24.75 million deal, bringing a coach's kid with championship experience who fits the swarming defensive identity.

Texans Free Agency Reactions: Ingram, Blankenship & Draft Strategy

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Joe Mixon released, Danielle Hunter extended and Wade Smith breaks down the O-line rebuild. Plus Nick Caserio on cap strategy ahead of Monday's tampering period.

John Harris hosts a loaded Friday show on the eve of the legal tampering period, packing in a week's worth of roster news, a Wade Smith interview, and Nick Caserio audio. The biggest headline: Joe Mixon has been released at his own request, saving the Texans $8 million in cap space and officially closing the book on his Houston tenure after an injury-plagued 2025 season. That move pairs with several other transactions — Danielle Hunter receives a contract extension providing both long-term security and immediate cap relief, Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre restructure their deals to free up space, MJ Stewart returns on a one-year deal to shore up the secondary, and Dalton Schultz gets a one-year extension to remain through 2027.

Former Pro Bowl guard Wade Smith provides the episode's analytical centerpiece in a pre-recorded interview with Marc Vandermeer. Wade credits Cole Popovich and the offensive line staff for genuine improvement in 2025, explains from personal experience why playing multiple positions can extend a career but may prevent maximizing at one spot, and describes the emotional rollercoaster of free agency — visiting Buffalo where former coaches tugged at his heartstrings, falling in love with Houston on his visit, then being pushed by his agent to leverage an Arizona trip he didn't want to take. On the current roster, Wade sees Aireontae Ersery and Trent Brown as likely starters at the tackle spots and emphasizes the need to invest in the interior, noting Ed Ingram's career-best season will price him high on the open market. He also raves about the Toro District facility at Bridgeland, comparing it to Frisco, Texas and the Cowboys' Star complex.

The final segment features Nick Caserio's appearance on Sports Radio 610's Sean & Seth show, where the GM provides a candid look at the free agency big board process — starting with all available unrestricted free agents, narrowing to 25-30 realistic targets across positions, and eliminating mismatches in value quickly so the team doesn't "waste time." Caserio speaks warmly about Tytus Howard's professionalism, acknowledges the difficulty of managing competing contract demands, explains why the offensive line turnover isn't an indictment of individual players but a roster construction reality, and pushes back on PFF grades as "a data point" that lacks the context of being in meeting rooms. The show closes with league news including Taylor Decker's release from Detroit, Geno Smith's release from the Raiders, and DJ Moore's trade to Buffalo.

Wade Smith on O-Line + Caserio on Trades, Free Agency & Cap Moves

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Don't you forget about THESE Texans in 2025 | In the Lab presented by Xfinity

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