The Houston Texans have been busy overhauling their offensive line but they also need to add depth during free agency. One of the areas where Houston could use bodies is their pass rush, which ranked fifth in the NFL last season with 49 sacks but ranked 13th with a 22.8% pressure rate.
The Texans started upgrading their defensive line with the signing of Sheldon Rankins and bringing back Mario Edwards Jr. and Derek Barnett. But there’s still work to be done and Houston’s latest move came while most of their fans were sleeping on Wednesday night.
Texans Add Former Bills Edge Rusher Casey Toohill In Midnight Signing
The Texans have agreed to terms with Casey Toohill on a one-year contract according to his agency, Wasserman Group. The 28-year-old spent last season with the Bills where he registered 20 total tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery and a pass defense over 14 games.
A former seventh-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020, Toohill has grinded his way through the his career, spending time with the Washington Commanders and the Bills. In five seasons, Toohill has 1000 total tackles including 11 tackles for loss, eight sacks, four fumble recoveries and three passes defensed.
Toohill’s addition makes the Texans’ defensive front a little clearer. Houston returns Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter as their premiere edge rushers but Toohill will join fellow free agent addition Darrell Taylor, 2023 fourth-round pick Dylan Horton, Denico Autry, Kingsley Jonathan and Solomon Byrd as Houston’s depth heading into the offseason.
The Texans still have some questions on the interior where Rankins will team with Tim Settle Jr. But Houston has also been connected to drafting a defensive tackle in the first round of next month’s draft including Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander.
It makes Toohill’s addition the next step toward making Houston’s pass rush formidable again in 2025 and improve their chances of three-peating of AFC South champions.