2025 Moves….

[OptimisticTexan]

If it were my call:

HIRE:
OC- Nick Caley (Rams- Pass Game Coordinator / TE Coach)
OLC- Zak Kromer (Rams- Asst OL Coach)

CUT:
Howard +14,170M Cap Savings
Mason +9.442M Cap Savings

SIGN:
WR- Tee Higgins (CIN) / Going to cost, but gives Texans the best available WR in the NFL.
Would like to re-sign the DL minus Hinnish.
Texans couldn’t re-sign Diggs if Higgins were to replace him.



**Trade with Washington. Texans send RD1-25 and RD7-243 to Commanders for RD1-29, RD3-79 and RD7-207.

**Grey Zabel should answer the call at LG. Wehr brings good depth to the line. Zabel, Wehr, Scruggs, and Patterson are interchangeable along the IOL positions. Texans may have to sit tight at 25 in order to select Zabel.

**Adding Tee Higgins and Jayden Higgins to a receiver room that has Collins, Hutchinson, and Metchie could be all CJ needs.

**Adding Walker to the IDL would be a key addition for Ryans. A real key to the trade.

**Gunnar Helm would provide a TE that could do it all from the start. I’m not certain how the Texans could rid themselves of Schultz without a nasty cap hit. Even if they were to trade him, they’d probably be eating a good chunk of his contract. I’d be a bit more optimistic with this TE group being Helm, Stover, and Jordan….especially with a coach like Caley giving them some guidance.

**After his Senior Bowl performance, I doubt Dan Jackson is still on the board this late, but if he is….it could be a big win for Ryans and the defense. He should be an instant hit on ST’s and as a rotational SS. I’d love to see him add 10 lbs during his first season.

UDFA TARGETS:
WR- Dont’e Thornton Jr (Tennessee) / He could slip, but I’m hoping he does. Talented WR who could take the top off defenses. Would really be crazy if he could be added like this.
TE- Maliq Carr (Houston) / Carr will be there for the taking. Solid blocking TE with the size to do the job.

 

[Lucky]

Howard +14,170M Cap Savings

If you wanted to keep Howard, you could restructure and save about $10 million. Same with Tunsil.

Where's the Stingley extension?

 

[OptimisticTexan]

If you wanted to keep Howard, you could restructure and save about $10 million. Same with Tunsil.

Where's the Stingley extension?

I know the Stingley extension is also a priority. Caserio will need to be a financial Houdini this off season.

If Higgins proves to be unsignable, get that money moved towards the priority extensions. Keep Diggs around on less money.

 

[steelbtexan]

I know the Stingley extension is also a priority. Caserio will need to be a financial Houdini this off season.

If Higgins proves to be unsignable, get that money moved towards the priority extensions. Keep Diggs around on less money.

Not really , look at the way the Eagles structure their contracts.

 

[badboy]

As of now, I am thinking Howard is the LG game one unless Fisher fizzles preseason. Scruggs will be given his chance at RG with maybe an "average " free agent brought in. Fans will be told new OC/OL coaches will significantly improve [and maybe a new scheme].

Zabel or Charles Grant could be drafted or even Zabels side kick at North Dakota State.

WR and a corner like Jahdee Barron that can play multi positions could be our top two picks.

After the attention grabbers of Stroud and Will Anderson in 2023 then Danielle Hunter in 2024; it will be a bland off season. I do expect Nick to his trade magic again.

 

[steelbtexan]

I'm hoping the draft and FA go something like this.

FA Will Fries OG Colts. Bo Melton WR Packers, Tylan Wallace WR Ravens, CB Isiah Rodgers CB Philly

Draft

Rd1. Grey Zabel Center South Dakota St.
Rd 1. Trade up, Jake Bech WR TCU
Rd. 4 Brashard Smith RB SMU
Rd.5 Jackson Hawes TE Georgia Tech
Rd.6 Dan Jackson S Georgia
Rd.6. Thomas Perry Center Middlebury

That's my Senior Bowl/ East, West Bowl Mock that I will be putting out soon. There will probably be a change or two after I go back through my notes. I really like My under the radar FA pickups.

 

[JB]

I'm hoping the draft and FA go something like this.

FA Will Fries OG Colts. Bo Melton WR Packers, Tylan Wallace WR Ravens, CB Isiah Rodgers CB Philly

Draft

Rd1. Grey Zabel Center South Dakota St.
Rd 1. Trade up, Jake Bech WR TCU
Rd. 4 Brashard Smith RB SMU
Rd.5 Jackson Hawes TE Georgia Tech
Rd.6 Dan Jackson S Georgia
Rd.6. Thomas Perry Center Middlebury

That's my Senior Bowl/ East, West Bowl Mock that I will be putting out soon. There will probably be a change or two after I go back through my notes. I really like My under the radar FA pickups.

Looks good but is it realistic? When was the last time NC drafted a small school guy? And you have him drafting 1 first round? And another with 1 of his prized 6ths?

 

[steelbtexan]

Looks good but is it realistic? When was the last time NC drafted a small school guy? And you have him drafting 1 first round? And another with 1 of his prized 6ths?

True, but Zabel is a different cat.

Hopefully they draft one of Zabel/Jackson/Booker at 1-25.

You would think that since Caserio comes from John Carroll he would have an affinity for small school players. Guess not.

 

[Lucky]

True, but Zabel is a different cat.

Did you watch the Senior Bowl game when Zabel matched up with LSU's Sai'vion Jones? Jones gave Zabel all sorts of problems attacking the gaps. I think Zabel was just slow to react to game speed.

Small college, position change. I think the 1st round talk is very premature. Zabel has talent, but he's not plug and play like you'd want from a 1st round pick.

 

[Errant Hothy]

One of the professional draft guys wrote that Booker is the WAJ of this year's Alabama offense, and instantly makes me think he's going to be way up the Texans draft board.

 

[steelbtexan]

Did you watch the Senior Bowl game when Zabel matched up with LSU's Sai'vion Jones? Jones gave Zabel all sorts of problems attacking the gaps. I think Zabel was just slow to react to game speed.

Small college, position change. I think the 1st round talk is very premature. Zabel has talent, but he's not plug and play like you'd want from a 1st round pick.

Jones beat him on a couple of plays when Zabel was at RG on the 1st series (Nerves?). Nobody beat him when he was at Center. Zabel was the best player at the Sr. Bowl IMHO.

 

[steelbtexan]

One of the professional draft guys wrote that Booker is the WAJ of this year's Alabama offense, and instantly makes me think he's going to be way up the Texans draft board.

If Booker falls to the Texans at 1-25, he should be the pick. Then trade back into the 1st for Zabel and add Fries in FA. Finally the OL will be fixed by tough smart players that are dedicated to football. Do I think there's a chance this could happen? Nope, but after this yr there's a case to be made to do whatever it takes to protect CJ at all costs. This would be an at all costs move.

 

[AcresHomesTexan]

One of the professional draft guys wrote that Booker is the WAJ of this year's Alabama offense, and instantly makes me think he's going to be way up the Texans draft board.

If that is the case, Booker won't make it anywhere near the 25th pick even as an interior OL.

 

[badboy]

Now that we have our offensive coordinator, I'm going to predict the draft first two rounds. Using an A to Z Sports Mock [had us taking Tre Harris and Jack Sawyer which would be good] with tight end Warren going to Denver. I could see Broncos going a different direction with Warren falling to us at 25. No other team is interested it seems in a tight end from 19 to 25. Round two tight end Harold Fannin to be a wide receiver perhaps a high slot receiver.
Round 3 could be Zabel which would make several happy.

 

[Errant Hothy]

Now that we have our offensive coordinator, I'm going to predict the draft first two rounds. Using an A to Z Sports Mock [had us taking Tre Harris and Jack Sawyer which would be good] with tight end Warren going to Denver. I could see Broncos going to a different direction with Warren falling to us at 25. No other team is interested it seems in a tight end from 19 to 25. Round two tight end Harold Fannin to be a wide receiver perhaps a high slot receiver.
Round 3 could be Zabel which would make several happy.

I'm resigned to the potential that Warren goes to Indy, and he terrorizes use for the next decade.

 

[OptimisticTexan]

I’m not so sure Zabel falls to late RD3. His Senior Bowl performance and upcoming Combine / Pro Day probably bumps him to late RD1 early RD2.

If Simmons were to slide to late RD1, it’s going to be b/c of his injured knee and his current rehab condition.

Two picks towards the OL will probably be the max investment. I just hope the team doesn’t convince themselves that Howard and Mason can be improved and decide to restructure and extend both players. Cut them and move on.

I’d like Booker but he’ll be gone before pick 25. I guess the old theory of teams not using RD1 picks on OG’s is leaving the room this draft.

I’m still good with Zabel and Wehr as OL investments. I’m even good with the idea of signing Colts Fries versus going after Kelly. Fries, Zabel, and Wehr would add a starter and build valuable depth.

 

[ghostlight]

I started out standing firm on Booker at 25 but it seems most mocks has him gone by then. So precombine I’m buying into the chatter on our forum that we should look at best avl OT to move inside or move Fisher inside. I don’t have Zabel as a 1st rd G or ot however I’ve read where he is a good center prospect at #25. If that is the case then it would create a firestorm battle for the guard positions. The combine is going to shake up the OL mocks this year as it already seems most have had names moved around already. I have Conor Williams UT as a 2nd round look see before the combine.

 

[steelbtexan]

Now that we have our offensive coordinator, I'm going to predict the draft first two rounds. Using an A to Z Sports Mock [had us taking Tre Harris and Jack Sawyer which would be good] with tight end Warren going to Denver. I could see Broncos going a different direction with Warren falling to us at 25. No other team is interested it seems in a tight end from 19 to 25. Round two tight end Harold Fannin to be a wide receiver perhaps a high slot receiver.
Round 3 could be Zabel which would make several happy.

Zabel is probably going within the top 40 picks

 

[steelbtexan]

I started out standing firm on Booker at 25 but it seems most mocks has him gone by then. So precombine I’m buying into the chatter on our forum that we should look at best avl OT to move inside or move Fisher inside. I don’t have Zabel as a 1st rd G or ot however I’ve read where he is a good center prospect at #25. If that is the case then it would create a firestorm battle for the guard positions. The combine is going to shake up the OL mocks this year as it already seems most have had names moved around already. I have Conor Williams UT as a 2nd round look see before the combine.

I'm hoping they draft Zabel at 1-25. Jackson falls to 2-35 or 2-40 and Caserio drafts him. Then goes out and signs Fries in FA. In addition to drafting the best blocking TE in this draft in the 5th, 6rh rd. This the kind of commitment that Caserio needs to make to fix the OL. This way you would have great battles for the IOL positions in TC with Patterson, Scruggs, Zabel, Jackson
.
A good young ol would be intact for the next 3 years.

Tunsil, Jackson, Zabel, Fries Fisher

Reserves Scruggs, Patterson.

Sign me up for this

 

[Errant Hothy]

I'm hoping they draft Zabel at 1-25. Jackson falls to 2-35 or 2-40 and Caserio drafts him. Then goes out and signs Fries in FA. In addition to drafting the best blocking TE in this draft in the 5th, 6rh rd. This the kind of commitment that Caserio needs to make to fix the OL. This way you would have great battles for the IOL positions in TC with Patterson, Scruggs, Zabel, Jackson
.
A good young ol would be intact for the next 3 years.

Tunsil, Jackson, Zabel, Fries Fisher

Reserves Scruggs, Patterson.

Sign me up for this

I'd be more than ok with this, just don't see them moving on from Howard. Not sure they could even if they wanted to.

 

[badboy]

I'm resigned to the potential that Warren goes to Indy, and he terrorizes use for the next decade.

Perhaps we get Fannin and we terrorize them right back!

 

[badboy]

I’m not so sure Zabel falls to late RD3. His Senior Bowl performance and upcoming Combine / Pro Day probably bumps him to late RD1 early RD2.

If Simmons were to slide to late RD1, it’s going to be b/c of his injured knee and his current rehab condition.

Two picks towards the OL will probably be the max investment. I just hope the team doesn’t convince themselves that Howard and Mason can be improved and decide to restructure and extend both players. Cut them and move on.

I’d like Booker but he’ll be gone before pick 25. I guess the old theory of teams not using RD1 picks on OG’s is leaving the room this draft.

I’m still good with Zabel and Wehr as OL investments. I’m even good with the idea of signing Colts Fries versus going after Kelly. Fries, Zabel, and Wehr would add a starter and build valuable depth.

I think Zabel has potential but I don't see him as a starter Year One and that has to be a goal for a round one pick. I think Zabel is rising off of steam from the Senior Bowl as you stated. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.

 

[badboy]

I'd be more than ok with this, just don't see them moving on from Howard. Not sure they could even if they wanted to.

Interesting, why couldn't they move on from Howard? Think he stays but they definitely can move on from him and put big money at the salary cap

 

[badboy]

Zabel is probably going within the top 40 picks

There is that word again probably.

 

[Errant Hothy]

Interesting, why couldn't they move on from Howard? Think he stays but they definitely can move on from him and put big money at the salary cap

I think there are a lot better uses of the cap space than getting rid for Howard, and I'm all for an upgrade at RT or LG

 

[steelbtexan]

There is that word again probably.

Wanna bet?

Contributor bet.

This is after I said I would never give another dime to this site until a certain moderator is gone. I'll make an exception for this.

 

[steelbtexan]

Interesting, why couldn't they move on from Howard? Think he stays but they definitely can move on from him and put big money at the salary cap

I think they will move on from Howard to help pay for Stingley.

 

[xtruroyaltyx]

Rams trading kupp. Texans should inquire.

 

[steelbtexan]

Rams trading kupp. Texans should inquire.

Not at 20 mil per yr for the next 2 yrs.

 

[xtruroyaltyx]

Not at 20 mil per yr for the next 2 yrs.

They absolutely should inquire. Especially since the Contract can be renegotiated.

 

[steelbtexan]

They absolutely should inquire. Especially since the Contract can be renegotiated.

If Caserio can somehow unload Schultz contract that would certainly help.

 

[badboy]

Wanna bet?

Contributor bet.

This is after I said I would never give another dime to this site until a certain moderator is gone. I'll make an exception for this.

no thanks.

 

[badboy]

Rams trading kupp. Texans should inquire.

Why? 32 yoa + average stats for $20 million... I'd rather take a chance on Stefon Diggs.

 

[xtruroyaltyx]

Why? 32 yoa + average stats for $20 million... I'd rather take a chance on Stefon Diggs.

I said inquire. Whats the big deal?

I didnt say they absolutely have to make this move happen.

But this is a guy who has still been productive. We really dont have even a number 2 wr this upcoming year. Diggs is coming off a year ending injury. Tank is????

Kupp was more productive catching passes this season than anyone we had sans Nico. Plus, ya know, he's coming from the same system our new oc is from so theres probably a lot of familiarity with the two. Kupp may be able to help some of the guys out on the roster and fast track their development.

But remember i specifically used the word "inquire". Meaning kick the can... Do a little digging... If its something that doesnt make sense financially and/or precludes you from signing higher end talent at the wr position then you dont do it. But i definitely think Nick should inquire/poke around/send out feelers... Just to see if theres anything that can be reasonably worked out.

 

[badboy]

I said inquire. Whats the big deal?

I didnt say they absolutely have to make this move happen.

But this is a guy who has still been productive. We really dont have even a number 2 wr this upcoming year. Diggs is coming off a year ending injury. Tank is????

Kupp was more productive catching passes this season than anyone we had sans Nico. Plus, ya know, he's coming from the same system our new oc is from so theres probably a lot of familiarity with the two. Kupp may be able to help some of the guys out on the roster and fast track their development.

But remember i specifically used the word "inquire". Meaning kick the can... Do a little digging... If its something that doesnt make sense financially and/or precludes you from signing higher end talent at the wr position then you dont do it. But i definitely think Nick should inquire/poke around/send out feelers... Just to see if theres anything that can be reasonably worked out.

Cool but I don't see why we would inquire about somebody that's going to cost us that kind of money at that age? Even at a rework you're going to be pushing quite a bit of money into the future either in a signing bonus prorated or void years.

 

[Errant Hothy]

Perhaps we get Fannin and we terrorize them right back!

Fannin played at <checks notes> Bowling Green, not a Power 5 school. Guess who won't be a Texan?

And yes, I know this can be applied to Zabel. But tendencies are tendencies

 

[badboy]

Fannin played at <checks notes> Bowling Green, not a Power 5 school. Guess who won't be a Texan?

And yes, I know this can be applied to Zabel. But tendencies are tendencies

I agree however, what I look for in small schools players is not only skill set but overwhelming statistics that you would not see in a powerschool. Fannin meets those requirements and I believe other people think so because I have not seen him lower than a round two at the top.

 

[IDEXAN]

Did you watch the Senior Bowl game when Zabel matched up with LSU's Sai'vion Jones? Jones gave Zabel all sorts of problems attacking the gaps. I think Zabel was just slow to react to game speed.

Small college, position change. I think the 1st round talk is very premature. Zabel has talent, but he's not plug and play like you'd want from a 1st round pick.

Is Zabel an OT who probably needs to move to the inside because he lacks the athletism to play his college position vs edge rushers at the next level ?

 

[Lucky]

Is Zabel an OT who probably needs to move to the inside because he lacks the athletism to play his college position vs edge rushers at the next level ?

Zabel is a small college LT that projects to move inside due to less than ideal arm length at 32-1/4". I think Zabel is an NFL athlete as far as core strength and agility.

 

[ghostlight]

The key word is mock which is 100% opinions so my opinions seem to change often as do the professional mockers. So with that said, I have yet to decide on who will be my choice if Booker is not there at 25. I just don’t think Zabel is a option fur us as a 1st round at this time. There are several very qualfied OT that have the run game power to move inside and be avl. if they need to slide outside. This is where I’m at for our 1st round selection. THe 2nd round would be sweet if Cameron Williams slides to us in the 2nd. I have bought into the idea of Landon Jackson for our round 2 pick.

 

[OptimisticTexan]

OG- Will Fries and OC- Ryan Kelly are both UFA’s this off-season. Fries is coming off a broken tibia. He’s probably ready to go when the off-season work-outs start. His projected market value has him at 4 years 54M with 30M+ guaranteed. Kelly’s a little older but still productive as a veteran center. Kelly can probably be signed for a lot less money. Colts will probable have to pick one to re-sign.