Houston Texans
Key free agents:
CB Bradley Roby (UFA)
DL D.J. Reader (UFA)
RB Carlos Hyde (UFA)
State of the roster: The Texans are mostly set on offense. They have an improved line in place to protect one of the league’s best young quarterbacks in Deshaun Watson, who throws to one of the league’s more talented receiving corps. Houston’s issues are on defense, where the Texans finished 26th in pass defense DVOA thanks to a lack of cornerback depth and a pass rush that was ineffective without J.J. Watt.
Wish list: Though Over The Cap projects Houston to have around $53.9 million in cap space, potential extensions for Watson, left tackle Laremy Tunsil and linebacker Zach Cunningham could eat up a sizable portion of that. Rather than use what’s left on one of the top free-agent corners like Byron Jones and James Bradberry, Houston should add a second-tier defensive back and some interior pass rushing. Logan Ryan, maybe the most versatile defensive back on the market, could be the slot corner Houston needs, plus so much more. And 32-year-old Mario Addison is a reliable rusher who can play all over the line at a relatively affordable price.
Prediction: GM and head coach Bill O’Brien hasn’t sounded optimistic about the possibility that Reader returns. Rather than spend on a two-down, interior defensive tackle, Houston appears likely to invest in a corner along with some lower-tier pass rushers who can supplement Watt and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus. I expect the Texans to ultimately bring back Roby rather than take a chance on a defensive back they don’t know as well.
— Aaron Reiss