Houston's loaded defense added more ammunition when it traded with Philadelphia for Gardner-Johnson, who logged six interceptions, 12 passes defensed and 59 tackles over 16 regular-season games - and earned a Super Bowl ring. He ranked sixth among safeties with an 85.7 coverage grade in 2024. Adding to an elite secondary unit, the Texans are poised to make a deep playoff run on the strength of their defense and potentially give Gardner-Johnson a second consecutive ring.

• Jacob Parrish
  DB
• Kyle Hamilton
  DB
• Jake Hansen
  LB
• Elijah McGuire
  RB
• Julius Wood
  DB
• James Cook
  RB
• Brian O'Neill
  OL
• Marcelino McCrary-Ball
  LB