The NFL free agency frenzy has slowed down after an eventful couple of days earlier in the month. Houston made massive changes along the trenches on both sides of the ball while also being active in the trade market.
The NFL Draft is right around the corner but the Texans were still making moves on the free agent market.
On Saturday, Houston is signing LB E.J. Speed to a one-year, $5 million deal per Jordan Schultz. He spent the past six seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and now will be going down to H-Town.
Breaking: The #Texans are signing former #Colts LB E.J. Speed to a 1-year $5M deal, sources tell @NFLonFOX.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 29, 2025
Speed spent six seasons in Indy and is coming off a career-best year with 142 tackles in 15 games, including 7 TFLs and 5 PBUs. pic.twitter.com/XVsSj9hUTj
NFL News: E.J. Speed is Signing With the Houston Texans
Speed is known for his athleticism and range over the middle of the field. He played quarterback and receiver in high school, which helped in terms of athletic ability.
In his six-year career, Speed has racked up 354 total tackles, 27 TFLs, 12 pass deflections, and six forced fumbles. He's finished with 100-plus tackles in two straight seasons, including a career-high 142 in 2024.
While his overall PFF grade was 56.7 last season, it was his run defense that stood out. He posted a 72.2 run-defense grade, showing his ability to be a disruptor in that phase of the game.
Houston had a linebacker trio of Azeez Al-Shaair, Christian Harris, and Henry To'oTo'o leading the charge, but with Speed getting into the mix, he gives this unit another difference maker.
Snagging him from a division rival only makes the acquisition that much sweeter. We'll have to see how his play on the field in 2025 is, but this is a kind of low-cost signing that could be differential for the team when the season rolls around.
It's only a one-year deal, so if things don't work out, Houston can easily move on. That's not what the Texans are hoping for, but it's clear they are getting an instinctive defender on the second level.