Texans Assistant Coach Jacques Cesaire Out in Houston?

Houston's defensive line was arguably the franchise's most improved unit in 2023. Under Culley and Smith, the Texans featured one of the league's worst run defenses, allowing opponents to average over five yards per rush attempt. 

Last season, the Texans ranked sixth against the run during the regular season, holding opponents to 96.6 yards per game and 3.5 yards per attempt. Houston also recorded a franchise-high 46 sacks, headlined by Jonathan Greenard (12.5) and rookie Will Anderson Jr. (7.0). 

Houston lost its edge against the run down the stretch. In the Week 18 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, the Texans allowed Jonathan Taylor to rush for 188 yards and a touchdown. In Saturday's 34-10 divisional-round loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Houston allowed 229 yards and gave up two touchdowns to MVP favorite Lamar Jackson. 

Jackson also became the first quarterback to rush for over 100 yards against Houston in 2023. It marked the second time all season the Texans allowed over 200 rushing yards to an opponent. 

“The front, again, is everything for me, and we’ll invest a ton of resources into the front,” Ryans said Monday during his end-of-the-year presser. “If you want to play good defense, your front has to be elite, and that’s what I envision us playing: elite defensive football."

The Texans have questions surrounding the trenches entering the offseason. Greenard and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins are set to hit free agency. So are veteran defensive ends Jerry Hughes and Derek Barnett.

Hughes missed the postseason with an ankle injury suffered in Week 18's road win against the Colts. Barnett, who was claimed off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles, became crucial to Houston's pass rush down the stretch, recording 3.5 sacks and 11.5 pressures in seven games. 

Houston owns the No. 23 pick in April's draft and could target a defensive lineman to fortify the trenches with a youthful approach. 

Early names to consider include UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu, Florida State edge Jared Verse, Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Netwon and Texas interior defensive lineman Byron Murphy. 

The Texans also enter free agency with a projected $71.5 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap, the third-most in the NFL. 

Names to monitor from the outside include Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader, Carolina Panthers defensive end Brian Burns, Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter and Cleveland Browns defensive end Zadarius Smith.