Texans Free Agents

[Sideline]

Might have missed this post somewhere, but does anyone have, or could point me in the direction of, a list of Texans who are going to be free agents this off-season (UFA & RFA).

Thanks!

[Playoffs]

You can find free agent info through this link:

http://www.texanstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97644

[Dutchrudder]

From me

Originally Posted by Dutchrudder

Texans 2013 Free Agents:


We have 21 total UFAs, 13 on defense, 6 on offense, and 2 special teams. As you can see, we have several starters that are not under contract next year. By my own estimations, I would list 7 of these 21 as key contributors to this season: Quin S, Barwin OLB, Dobbins ILB, McCain CB, Cody DT, Caldwell OG, Casey TE (5 defense, 2 offense). When constructing mock drafts, I think it's important to see where we are losing depth, and its clear that the defense will be losing quite a bit if these players aren't retained. Before anyone says it, I don't consider either kicker to be a key contributor because they are easily replaced.

[Playoffs]

Originally Posted by Dutchrudder

From me

Nice work, Dutch.

[dream_team]

I think alot of these guys aren't going to be re-signed. We need to think long-term and prepare for when Watt is a FA. If he has anywhere close to the year he had next season, he's going to become the highest paid defensive player in the league.

The only guy I'd be disappointed in losing is GQ.

[AJ-80]

Barwin and Cody are likely gone. Both had down years.

[OilerTexan]

Originally Posted by dream_team

The only guy I'd be disappointed in losing is GQ.

Agreed on GQ, but I would also be disappointed if we lost Brice McCain. I think Brice would have been key against the Patriots.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blo...ouston-texans/

[Big Valley]

Originally Posted by dream_team

I think alot of these guys aren't going to be re-signed. We need to think long-term and prepare for when Watt is a FA. If he has anywhere close to the year he had next season, he's going to become the highest paid defensive player in the league.

The only guy I'd be disappointed in losing is GQ.

Now is the time to lock up Watt. 10 year deal. It's a no-brainer.

Agree on GQ.

[welsh texan]

Originally Posted by Dutchrudder

From me

Dutch have you done your salary cap work as yet? Usually find you manage to offer a pretty good aggregate of the different info available. I know we gain some from Ryans' dead money dropping off the books but otoh we have both AJ & Walter (?) having taken pay cuts this season and signed a few big new contracts that might scale up next season quite heftily so really don't know where we stand right now.

I know everyone looks for the big contributors and higher snap count guys to assess, but over a 3rd of the roster is UFA this season so you can expect a large chunk of those JAG's to be coming back. They know the system and will be ready to play if required.

If they can lock Barwin up long term on the cheap I have no problem with bringing him back, it's been a tough year across the LBs plus you have Watt often generating pressure all on his own. I wouldn't be surprised if the coaches have him graded higher than we do.

Cody, injured quite badly down the stretch and battled through, again lets see how much we can low ball him because he can contribute if cheap.

GQ and Brice I want back, and I hope they feel they can work with Routt because the physical tools are there and he can be real cheap.

Casey frustrates me but that is down to the way they use him over his ability. Don't think he's worth a premium if we aren't going to utilise him but I'd have no problem if he's going to be used as a hb or te, and not just a decoy.

[Dutchrudder]

Originally Posted by welsh texan

Dutch have you done your salary cap work as yet? Usually find you manage to offer a pretty good aggregate of the different info available. I know we gain some from Ryans' dead money dropping off the books but otoh we have both AJ & Walter (?) having taken pay cuts this season and signed a few big new contracts that might scale up next season quite heftily so really don't know where we stand right now.

I know everyone looks for the big contributors and higher snap count guys to assess, but over a 3rd of the roster is UFA this season so you can expect a large chunk of those JAG's to be coming back. They know the system and will be ready to play if required.

If they can lock Barwin up long term on the cheap I have no problem with bringing him back, it's been a tough year across the LBs plus you have Watt often generating pressure all on his own. I wouldn't be surprised if the coaches have him graded higher than we do.

Cody, injured quite badly down the stretch and battled through, again lets see how much we can low ball him because he can contribute if cheap.

GQ and Brice I want back, and I hope they feel they can work with Routt because the physical tools are there and he can be real cheap.

Casey frustrates me but that is down to the way they use him over his ability. Don't think he's worth a premium if we aren't going to utilise him but I'd have no problem if he's going to be used as a hb or te, and not just a decoy.

Yeah, I did put together a salary cap post on the bottom of the second page of this thread: http://www.texanstalk.com/forums/sho...t=96961&page=2

I'm still waiting on admin rights to that forum so I can clean up everything and put it all on the first page. I have more to add to it all, but I'm waiting on that. From what I can tell, we should have about 11.4 million in cap space (only 41 contracts), plus whatever increase in the cap is given by the NFL. John Clayton of ESPN says we will have 12.9 million, so I think we will have money to do quite a bit more than people were expecting this year. I have a section in that thread about cap casualties, and how much money can be saved by cutting Wade Smith, Antonio and/or Kevin Walter. Here's the graphic:



The Texans can open up another 13.5 million by cutting these guys. If nothing else, it gives them flexibility in free agency to have more options. I would gladly cut Walter if it meant getting a WR like Mike Wallace or Wes Welker. I couldn't care less about their run blocking skills, I just care about stretching the defense and upgrading the position. Or maybe they could take that money and spend it on defense, but spend a 1st or 2nd on a promising WR. Whatever, they do, I think there is a lot of flexibility this year to make some changes.

[WolverineFan]

Mike Wallace was awful this year. Dropped a ton of passes. He will cost a lot of money and I'm not sure he's worth it.

An under the radar signing I would like is Domenik Hixon. I doubt the Giants re-sign him because they are loaded at WR. He's an underrated player and has been under-utilized his entire career.

Walter needs to go at some point, but with Posey out next year I don't think we can afford to lose him now. I think we should restructure Antonio Smith. I would like to cut Wade Smith but I don't think we have the talent to replace him right now.

[beerlover]

Bold'ed are the only players I expect Texans to try hard to resign, rest just filler.

Brice McCain -
Alan Ball -
Stanford Routt -
Jesse Nading -
RaShon Harris -
Shaun Cody -
Tim Dobbins -
Barrett Ruud -
Keyron Fox -
Bradie James -
Shayne Graham -
Antonio Caldwell -
Andrew Gardner -
Ryan Harris -
Rashad Butler -
Donnie Jones -
Justin Forsett -
Quinton Demps -
Glover Quin -
James Casey -
Connor Barwin -

[JCTexan]

Originally Posted by beerlover

Bold'ed are the only players I expect Texans to try hard to resign, rest just filler.

Brice McCain -
Alan Ball -
Stanford Routt -
Jesse Nading -
RaShon Harris -
Shaun Cody -
Tim Dobbins -
Barrett Ruud -
Keyron Fox -
Bradie James -
Shayne Graham -
Antonio Caldwell -
Andrew Gardner -
Ryan Harris -
Rashad Butler -
Donnie Jones -
Justin Forsett -
Quinton Demps -
Glover Quin -
James Casey -
Connor Barwin -

I think it depends on the contract Barwin wants. Demps was in the doghouse late in the year. I don't think he'll be re-signed. Brandon Harris played alright late in the year taking over #3 CB duties, so I think McCain's gone also. I thought Forsett did a good job as our #3 RB this year. I would like to see him brought back. Of any of the free agents, Glover Quin should be the main priority.

Of those you don't have bolded: I think Bradie James or Tim Dobbins will be back, possibly both. Even if you brought in more depth at ILB, one of those guys should still be part of a rotation.

[The Pencil Neck]

Speaking of Bradie James and Dobbins at ILB, was anyone else besides me happy to see MR Alexander back on the sidelines and on ST the past couple of games?

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by The Pencil Neck

Speaking of Bradie James and Dobbins at ILB, was anyone else besides me happy to see MR Alexander back on the sidelines and on ST the past couple of games?

I'd like to see how much he can improve next pre-season.

[WolverineFan]

Of all of our FA's I think Quin is the highest priority. I don't know why he gets negged so much he's one of the better FS in the league. Not a great player, but a very solid one.

I would really like to see us re-sign McCain because he is a big cog in the defense in the Nickel. Very solid player. That said, we used a 2nd on Harris and I think he will get the benefit of a doubt and we roll with him next year.

Re-sign Casey. Really like what he brings to the offense. Very versatile. Re-sign Dobbins please. Very good inside player. Great on the goal line. Would like to re-sign Forsett but I think he will have other options.

Bring back James and Cody if you can but it's not crucial. Mitchell is ready to supplant Cody IMO and I think we will be okay at ILB without James.

I'd like Barwin back but only at a low and cap friendly number. He did not earn any money this year. Lost a lot IMO. I'd like to see Butler back too, just to see what he can do, but I doubt that happens.

I could really care less about Demps. We need to draft a Safety high. Wade runs a ton of Nickel and 3 Safety packages so we need those guys to be solid.

[97roc]

I could see almost half of this list being resigned at the vet minimum. GQ is due for a slight raise along with Casey and Barwin. Yes, I said Barwin, lets say 1.2mil/yr. He's still a quality player, just not a premium pass rusher, and if someone offers higher than that, let him walk.

Not sure if we have to guarantee some of those minimum salaries, but the size of the roster increases in the offseason and we should be able to cut at will before the season starts.

[fiasco west]

Barwin is a good vet, that's about it.

Same for the rest on the list outside of Quin. Quin is the only player I'd be upset at losing.

[klockWork]

If we resign Demps, then I'm convince Wade has gone mental. Quin and Casey are high impact players that needs our highest attention this off season.

[Rufus Jarvis]

Big yes for me on resigning Quin.

Might the Texans have the cap room to sign a Chris Gamble, Quentin Jammer or DeAngelo Hall if they become salary cap casualties for their current team?