The 2025 NFL free agency period is just over three weeks away from starting, meaning it won't be much longer before hundreds of millions of dollars in new contracts are thrown around.
While watching one's favorite time spent to the salary cap limit is fun, free agency isn't an exciting time for some fanbases. A handful of franchises are already above next year's cap or at least close to it, and that includes the Houston Texans, who Spotrac lists as only having $1.6 million remaining.
In other words, general manager Nick Caserio will have to make budget-conscious decisions this offseason. Fortunately, there's one specific low-cost free agent who can help the Texans GM with one of his team's most pressing needs.
Texans Should Target OG Will Hernandez in Free Agency
The Texans' offensive line was horrid last season, especially when it came to helping the ground game. After finishing with the eighth-worst run blocking grade (57.3) on Pro Football Focus, it makes a ton of sense for Houston to pursue veteran offensive guard Will Hernandez in free agency.
Hernandez, 29, is a seven-year NFL veteran who was drafted 34th overall by the New York Giants in 2018. The former UTEP blocker has spent the last three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, starting in all 35 of his appearances during that stretch.
Despite being a well-proven guard, Hernandez can likely be signed at a discount this offseason.
The Las Vegas, NV native is coming off an injury-riddled 2024 campaign that limited him to just five appearances. Given that he's turning 30 before the new season begins, he'll likely have to prove himself on a cheaper one-year contract before any team offers more money and longer term.
While Hernandez's latest injury might scare off some offensive line-hungry teams, rolling the dice on a cheap deal might be worth it for the Texans. The 6-foot-2, 332-pound guard proved that he's an adequate blocker when healthy by his playing to 74.2 pass block and 66.0 run block grades on PFF last season.
If the Texans want to give Stroud & Co. their best shot at success next season, adding reliable veteran blockers like Hernandez is a must this offseason. Even if a potential deal doesn't work out, Houston can easily cut its losses after one year before moving on next offseason.
The Texans will have their first chance to negotiate with Hernandez (and any other free agent) when the NFL's tampering window opens on Monday, March 10.