Steel I think you are right there. My offers for Norwell and Solder are 6 years $72 m with $35 million guaranteed {$18 m signing+ 2018 base of $7 m + 2019 base $10 m= 35) 2018 cap for both : signing $18 prorated over 6 years = $3 + $7 base = $10 m cap for each. That leaves over $40 million for other positions. Of note is both are eligible for cut/trade after third year if needed.
I do like the math and I think those potential offers could be valid and competitive. This should make both players pretty happy since it guarantees Norwell to be the new highest paid NFL OG (RG) and Solder would be right up there as well as far as. OT's go. The Texans must get the Solder Family a complete tour of the Texas Children's Hospital to put them at ease in regards to their son's ongoing treatment. On a side note, my son is really excited now that he's accepted the offer received from TCH. He will assigned to the Oncology Wing.
Back to the post, is there enough wiggle room left to pursue Sitton (LG) in this concept or, could he wind up commanding as much money as Norwell annually but on a shorter contract now that he's hit the FA market?
It would certainly be crazy to contemplate what these signings would do for this team's offense overnight.
LT- Solder
LG- Sitton
OC- Mancz or Martin (Health?)
RG- Norwell
RT- Draft Pick or FA
**If these 3 players were the only top dollar signings by the Texans during the off-season....it's probably enough to put them in serious playoff talks without signing another high dollar FA.**
Competing For Depth Chart or Roster Spot
OT- Julien Davenport (2018 - 2020)
RT- Kendall Lamm (2018)
RT- Jake Rodgers (2018 - 2019)
OG- Chad Slade (2018 - 2019)
OG- David Quessenberry (2018)
C/G- Fuller (2018 - 2020)
**I would add a couple of low cost veteran FA's to this group for Off-Season competition and to strengthen depth but I certainly think there's enough talent to fill depth chart for 2018.**
Cuts
OT- Newton (When Healthy / Cap Savings)
OG- Allen (Cap Savings)
**Little to no loss here with the projected signings....just some very needed cap savings, regardless of the amount...it all goes into the Cap Kitty.**
Draft Targets
OG- Taylor Hearn (Clemson) / RD6 or 7
OT- Greg Senat (Wagner) / RD4 or 6
RT- Bentley Spain (NC) / RD6
RT- Toby Weathersby (LSU) / RD6 or 7
**The projected FA signings already mentioned would make the OL a non-urgency position to fill. It moves the needle back to the late rounds. I would probably designate 1 pick late knowing that there is a possibility of a season on the PS for "safe" developmental work. If any issues surface during the season, the Texans would be in a really good position to address those needs in 2019.**