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2024 Free Agency

Edwards is a quality depth piece on the DL. Can count on him to play 30-40% of snaps along the DL and not be a liability.

As far as just edge goes, have to assume Horton will be on inactive list this season battling cancer. That leaves Autry and Myjai Sanders. Would really like to see Myjai Sanders make a year 3 leap and take control of that “designated pass rusher” role Ogbo used to play.

As it stands, the edge rotation looks set with Anderson/Hunter starting and Autry/Edwards/Sanders subbing in as needed.

If a guy like Darius Robinson is at 42 he’d be too good to pass up imo. But I no longer see edge as a need. It’s a strength of this team.
They don't want Hunter playing 1000 snaps which he normally do. Meco want his studs , but he also wants guys fresh in the 4th especially if the other team is in pass mode. Autry will get alot of snaps inside when teams are in pass mode. Edward's and Sanders are going to give the edge guys breathers. If you look at Horton body type, it's the same as Horton. Horton was doing some good stuff before he had the medical.

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Howard is on the decline, but his high point was considerably higher than Nelson's, so I'd probably take Howard straight up. But then you've got to figure in contract costs. I suspect Howard wants to be paid based on his reputation rather than on the expected output, which may be decent to good for a #2 CB, but nobody is expecting a pro-bowl or all-pro at this point—although I'd love it if he did!

The fact that they haven't signed a decent #2 corner (don't tell me JO) tells me they are waiting for these guys to return to earth. They want more than the market is willing to pay. It's not like teams are falling all over themselves, signing corners. Eventually, something will happen...guys will lower their asking price and nab a CB. (I hope).

Even with Howard, Nelson, or some other decent #2...I'd still be very interested in plucking a corner on day 2 of this draft.
 
Howard is on the decline, but his high point was considerably higher than Nelson's, so I'd probably take Howard straight up. But then you've got to figure in contract costs. I suspect Howard wants to be paid based on his reputation rather than on the expected output, which may be decent to good for a #2 CB, but nobody is expecting a pro-bowl or all-pro at this point—although I'd love it if he did!

The fact that they haven't signed a decent #2 corner (don't tell me JO) tells me they are waiting for these guys to return to earth. They want more than the market is willing to pay. It's not like teams are falling all over themselves, signing corners. Eventually, something will happen...guys will lower their asking price and nab a CB. (I hope).

Even with Howard, Nelson, or some other decent #2...I'd still be very interested in plucking a corner on day 2 of this draft.
True, how long we can wait it out playing the waiting game is what no one knows....but we have to sign either a CB or a S before going into the draft...and I dont mean camp bodies or JAG's...we need someone to solidify either one of those positions and defense will be set....for 2 years.
 
True, how long we can wait it out playing the waiting game is what no one knows....but we have to sign either a CB or a S before going into the draft...and I dont mean camp bodies or JAG's...we need someone to solidify either one of those positions and defense will be set....for 2 years.
We have until June 1st.
 
True, how long we can wait it out playing the waiting game is what no one knows....but we have to sign either a CB or a S before going into the draft...and I dont mean camp bodies or JAG's...we need someone to solidify either one of those positions and defense will be set....for 2 years.

I'm not sure about CB, but I think they feel pretty good about the safety position heading into the draft. I don't mean to suggest that they view it as a strength- but not as a glaring weakness or a position that lacks depth (Ward, Pitre, King, Murray- Lonnie Johnson maybe)
 
Why is June 1st the magic date?
NFL Post-June 1 Cut
Let’s start with a straightforward NFL release that occurs at the beginning of the new league year in March. If a team cuts a player at any point before June 1, all of his future guarantees and remaining prorated signing bonus will immediately “accelerate” onto the club’s salary cap.

The team is forced to absorb all of those charges at once. The cap space being allocated toward a player no longer on the roster is referred to as “dead money.”
 
NFL Post-June 1 Cut
Let’s start with a straightforward NFL release that occurs at the beginning of the new league year in March. If a team cuts a player at any point before June 1, all of his future guarantees and remaining prorated signing bonus will immediately “accelerate” onto the club’s salary cap.

The team is forced to absorb all of those charges at once. The cap space being allocated toward a player no longer on the roster is referred to as “dead money.”
That has nothing to do with signing a free agent
 
I think you can designate a released played as a post June 1 guy, even if the calendar is March or April. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

I’d like to see them add a corner both draft and FA. So two. And a safety too, but one only. Draft or FA. Ward is an injury waiting to happen, and while they have depth at S it’s not great depth. And King is a slot corner, although I suspect he can play Safety if necessary.
 
Trent Brown signs one year deal with Cincinnati bengals. Nicky baby? You better have Howard as a starter game one
 
I think we are done with the DL, probably until day 3 of the draft. I think they plan to gobble up their favorite LB, WR, OL (maybe CB)... I expect they will be agressively moving around in rounds 2 and 3 to get what they want.
 
I think we are done with the DL, probably until day 3 of the draft. I think they plan to gobble up their favorite LB, WR, OL (maybe CB)... I expect they will be agressively moving around in rounds 2 and 3 to get what they want.
I still think they are going to get back into the first round. A pick on Thursday at the cost of the 25 first round pick
 
I still think they are going to get back into the first round. A pick on Thursday at the cost of the 25 first round pick
I think it is very likely they move up from 42... They can get to 29-30 without destroying the rest of their draft, but I think it is more likely they jump up to 35 or 36 (that would cost a 4th rounder, jumping back to the bottom of round one would take our 3rd probably)
 
I think we are done with the DL, probably until day 3 of the draft. I think they plan to gobble up their favorite LB, WR, OL (maybe CB)... I expect they will be agressively moving around in rounds 2 and 3 to get what they want.

I think one more DT gets added. Edge is basically set unless the BPA is too good to pass up. And they’d have to be since I don’t see too many rookies projected to be available round 2 and beyond that can crack the Texans current edge rotation. It is the strength of the team now.

Anderson
Hunter
Autry
Barnett
Edwards
Sanders

I’d put that rotation against any team’s in the league.
 
I disagree with both of you. If Nick thought he was drafting someone in the 1st, he would never had traded down in the first place.

Interesting, I think his top plan, so to speak, when he made the trade with Minnesota is that he was going to jump up from 42 and take one of a small group of guys they love which are likely to slip into the 30s... I can imagine, also, a trade down if these unfold poorly or if more guys slide and they can't get more picks... I will be VERY surprised if they stay at 42 and make a pick there... almost shocked.
 
I disagree with both of you. If Nick thought he was drafting someone in the 1st, he would never had traded down in the first place.
Not to the first no... but maybe from 59 to top of 2nd
 
I think one more DT gets added. Edge is basically set unless the BPA is too good to pass up. And they’d have to be since I don’t see too many rookies projected to be available round 2 and beyond that can crack the Texans current edge rotation. It is the strength of the team now.

Anderson
Hunter
Autry
Barnett
Edwards
Sanders

I’d put that rotation against any team’s in the league.
You forgot Davis, Settle, Fatusaki and additional depth in Hinish and Horton and Gaye and Agim and Haynes so far...
 
I think we are done with the DL, probably until day 3 of the draft. I think they plan to gobble up their favorite LB, WR, OL (maybe CB)... I expect they will be agressively moving around in rounds 2 and 3 to get what they want.

It's not that I disagree, I just don't see anybody at cornerback other than Stingley that gives me confidence. I am thinking that they are sitting on Steven Nelson as a last minute addition if they can't find a more favorable situation.
 
I still think they are going to get back into the first round. A pick on Thursday at the cost of the 25 first round pick
That first round pick is only going to be a worth About 300 points You're going to have to Had a lot to it to get higher than 25 or 26 in my opinion Period just depends on who's
There.
 
I think it is very likely they move up from 42... They can get to 29-30 without destroying the rest of their draft, but I think it is more likely they jump up to 35 or 36 (that would cost a 4th rounder, jumping back to the bottom of round one would take our 3rd probably)
I don't disagree but again who is there at that trade up pick that is not equivalent to somebody at 42? This is the fun of this type of discussion for me.
 
Not to the first no... but maybe from 59 to top of 2nd

Why? Just because we’re conditioned for a move up? On draft night there could be a run on a position the Texans want to draft. That happened last year when they moved up to grab Juice, the 3rd center off the board. Plus, you have to have a trading partner. And those picks have value, some teams will see 1st round value. So there’s competition for those picks.

Not as easy as some of you make it out to be and even less likely considering the Texans lack of draft capital.
 
I'm really happy to see that Barnett is coming back. With that move and the other moves, we're pretty much set at DE and should be one of the best overall DE groups in the league.

We're still weak at D tackle, and that's priority #1 in my mind. This is the one area I think they've screwed the pooch on, and most likely they realize it. So, the guys on the depth chart now - I wouldn't let your seat get warm.

At LB, it's pretty bleak at Sam or Mike. I'm not sure where Al-Shaair will be playing—the other position needs a good starter, and depth overall is lacking.

Corner is a day 2 priority if I am playing GM for the day, and I need Howard/Nelson or someone on that level to sign as a FA and be my #2. Odakah is gravy and a depth piece. If he balls out...all the better but I would not rely on him.

Lastly...give me one Safety that can be a starter-level guy or at least very solid depth via either draft or FA.

Fill in all those puzzle pieces, and I see a top ten defense.
 
I don't disagree but again who is there at that trade up pick that is not equivalent to somebody at 42? This is the fun of this type of discussion for me.

I just think when one of their targets gets within range, the plan is to snatch them (my guess is they are very prepared to use a 4th and/or #188 to do it, so somewhere between 34-40.
 
Why? Just because we’re conditioned for a move up? On draft night there could be a run on a position the Texans want to draft. That happened last year when they moved up to grab Juice, the 3rd center off the board. Plus, you have to have a trading partner. And those picks have value, some teams will see 1st round value. So there’s competition for those picks.

Not as easy as some of you make it out to be and even less likely considering the Texans lack of draft capital.
No, I was mainly responding to the idea of giving up the 2025 first to jump back into the first. Nick himself said that he may move back into the first, but I don't think he would use next years 1 to do it
 
I think we are done with the DL, probably until day 3 of the draft. I think they plan to gobble up their favorite LB, WR, OL (maybe CB)... I expect they will be agressively moving around in rounds 2 and 3 to get what they want.

There is no way we are done with the DL. We are super strong on the edges (likely the best in the NFL). However, our Interior Defensive Tackles are nothing but marshmallows. If you like to see opponents time, after time, run right up the gut on us for 1st downs, then we have the D-tackles signed and on the roster, ready to make that happen.

Collin's and Rankin's weren't great against the run last year, but compared to where we are now, they would be Albert Haynesworth and Ted Washington in their prime.

Currently, one of our 2nd round picks has to be a DT, and we should probably be picking a second one later in the draft (remember that Nick likes to double up on position in the draft) as well. In fact it would not surprise me if both of our 2nd rounders were DT's, that is how bad it current is.

There is basically no Defensive tackle talent left in Free Agency, We missed on Reader and Rankins, and we screwed up the trade with the 49er's. So we have signed numerous back-ups and never were's just to put bodies on the roster.. We need a major talent influx on the interior D-line.

The only place we can acquire the badly needed DT talent is in the draft.
 
Is he a JAG or is he still developing? He's 27, but only been in the league 4 years.
In 2020, his rookie season, he had limited snaps in 4 games, In 2021 and 2022 he was on practice squads. 2023 he finally made a 53 with Texans in a rotational role. He showed a little something, with 2 sacks, 4 hits, 17 hurries and 24 tackles (15 assists) in 17 games (including post season).

Under Ryans tutelage, I'd say he's still improving.
 
There is no way we are done with the DL. We are super strong on the edges (likely the best in the NFL). However, our Interior Defensive Tackles are nothing but marshmallows. If you like to see opponents time, after time, run right up the gut on us for 1st downs, then we have the D-tackles signed and on the roster, ready to make that happen.

Collin's and Rankin's weren't great against the run last year, but compared to where we are now, they would be Albert Haynesworth and Ted Washington in their prime.

Currently, one of our 2nd round picks has to be a DT, and we should probably be picking a second one later in the draft (remember that Nick likes to double up on position in the draft) as well. In fact it would not surprise me if both of our 2nd rounders were DT's, that is how bad it current is.

There is basically no Defensive tackle talent left in Free Agency, We missed on Reader and Rankins, and we screwed up the trade with the 49er's. So we have signed numerous back-ups and never were's just to put bodies on the roster.. We need a major talent influx on the interior D-line.

The only place we can acquire the badly needed DT talent is in the draft.

I couldn't agree more. I said it above - they screwed the pooch royally at DT and the cupboard is bare. And there's not a single FA available at the moment that would make a hill of beans of difference. That leaves trade - unlikely but not out of the question...or the draft. That's why I have DT as need #1, and need #2 is way down my list. DT is the only position they 100% have to draft on day 1 (with a trade up) or day 2. No question at all. They would be derelict in their duty to roll out the JAG's they have now and call it a day. Draft one this year and one next year to grow together.
 
I'm really happy to see that Barnett is coming back. With that move and the other moves, we're pretty much set at DE and should be one of the best overall DE groups in the league.

We're still weak at D tackle, and that's priority #1 in my mind. This is the one area I think they've screwed the pooch on, and most likely they realize it. So, the guys on the depth chart now - I wouldn't let your seat get warm.

At LB, it's pretty bleak at Sam or Mike. I'm not sure where Al-Shaair will be playing—the other position needs a good starter, and depth overall is lacking.

Corner is a day 2 priority if I am playing GM for the day, and I need Howard/Nelson or someone on that level to sign as a FA and be my #2. Odakah is gravy and a depth piece. If he balls out...all the better but I would not rely on him.

Lastly...give me one Safety that can be a starter-level guy or at least very solid depth via either draft or FA.

Fill in all those puzzle pieces, and I see a top ten defense.
I just do not see how you consider defensive tackle as a priority over cornerback opposite Stingley. Explain one more time. Are you saying get a defensive tackle like sweat at 42 and a corner at 59? If you reverse that I would be okay.
 
There is no way we are done with the DL. We are super strong on the edges (likely the best in the NFL). However, our Interior Defensive Tackles are nothing but marshmallows. If you like to see opponents time, after time, run right up the gut on us for 1st downs, then we have the D-tackles signed and on the roster, ready to make that happen.

Collin's and Rankin's weren't great against the run last year, but compared to where we are now, they would be Albert Haynesworth and Ted Washington in their prime.

Currently, one of our 2nd round picks has to be a DT, and we should probably be picking a second one later in the draft (remember that Nick likes to double up on position in the draft) as well. In fact it would not surprise me if both of our 2nd rounders were DT's, that is how bad it current is.

There is basically no Defensive tackle talent left in Free Agency, We missed on Reader and Rankins, and we screwed up the trade with the 49er's. So we have signed numerous back-ups and never were's just to put bodies on the roster.. We need a major talent influx on the interior D-line.

The only place we can acquire the badly needed DT talent is in the draft.

Here is why I disagree: Nick and Demeco both talk extensively about valuing DL players that have positional flexibility. So, Autry, Mario Edwards are not strictly backups at DE but also situational rotation pieces at DT. Second, most of the off-season resources to this point have gone to the DL position and they have limited remaining resources to utilize to build other position groups which don't have NFL quality depth yet. Finally, I am looking at 10 contracts for DL players that are very likely going to be playing meaningful snaps on an NFL roster. That is more than they will enter the season with.
 
Here is why I disagree: Nick and Demeco both talk extensively about valuing DL players that have positional flexibility. So, Autry, Mario Edwards are not strictly backups at DE but also situational rotation pieces at DT. Second, most of the off-season resources to this point have gone to the DL position and they have limited remaining resources to utilize to build other position groups which don't have NFL quality depth yet. Finally, I am looking at 10 contracts for DL players that are very likely going to be playing meaningful snaps on an NFL roster. That is more than they will enter the season with.

The Texans have gotten themselves into a pickle at DT. There are still CB's out there in free agency that the Texans can (and should) still sign. Steve Nelson, Stephen Gilmore (age), Tre'davious White (injury), and Xavien Howard are all still available free agents. But at the DT in free agency there is nothing but maybe Teair Tart, who did not seem to mesh at all with the Texans playing style.

The Texans should, sign a free agent Cornerback or two. But at DT, it is a desert out there. And if the Texans do not draft at least one or two 300 (plus) lbs run stuffing DT's early, they will get run over all season long.

If the Texan's don't do address this, every game will pretty much look like the we are are playing Derrick Henry in his prime. RB after RB will be going for over 200 yards up the middle on us. In which case CB won't matter much, because nobody will be passing on us.
 
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Finally, I am looking at 10 contracts for DL players that are very likely going to be playing meaningful snaps on an NFL roster. That is more than they will enter the season with.
Let's look at these DL players.

Elite: Will Anderson (#3 overall pick, DROY), Danielle Hunter (4x Pro Bowl, $25 million AAV FA)
Starter: Denico Autry (6 year starter, $10 million AAV), Folorunso Fatukasi (3 year starter, $10 million AAV)
Backup: Tim Settle ($3 Million AAV), Mario Edwards (1 year contract), Derek Barnett (1 year contract), Khalil Davis (1 year contract, SFA)
Fringe: Myjai Sanders (Waivers), Marcus Hayner (SFA), McTelvin Agim (SFA), Kurt Hinish (UDFA), Ali Gaye (UDFA), Dylan Horton (NFI)

I'm not knocking what the Texans have put together so far. But you can see they need some youth and speed added to the mix. Especially considering the number of aging one year deals on the roster. I'd like to see an interior lineman and an edge drafted. Which is why I'm adamantly opposed to throwing away draft picks.
 
SI.com

Signing with the Texans would have reunited Armstead with coach DeMeco Ryans, who served as the 49ers' defensive coordinator from 2021 to 2022. However, Armstead had another reunion in mind that sold him on Jacksonville.

"Me and Trent [Baalke] have a great relationship," Armstead said per Jaguars media availability on Monday. "He drafted me nine years ago back in San Francisco, and we were able to talk and discuss my situation and where I’m at in my career. I’m very excited to get it going."
 
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