Being that the Texans are heading into 2 seasons where the draft has been somewhat taken away from them....then the team must be somewhat cognizant of the fact that they will not be able to address all their needs in the next 2 drafts.
The Texans may have to cut some salaries in order to be flexible with UFA's and in giving their draft direction.
I feel very strongly that the Texans offense is the easiest side of the ball to address with immediate results. 6 moves should do the trick:
1. Sign UFA RG, Brandon Scherff (13-14M PS)
2. Sign UFA WR, Emanuel Sanders (8-9M PS)
3. Sign UFA TE, Darren Fells (3-4M PS)
4. Sign UFA, RB, Carlos Hyde (2-3M PS)
5. Sign UFA QB, AJ McCarron (1.5-2M PS)
6. Draft RD2-25-057: C, Cesar Ruiz / Michigan (If he's still on the board, this is my pick since it helps remove the final weak link.)
**C, Nick Martin and TE, Jordan Aikens could be made available for trade....picks won't be great but it certainly beats a sharp stick to the eye.**
**Texans could market Coutee for a draft pick and re-sign Deandre Carter (250K-350K PS), which wouldn't be a bad move at all in my book.**
Tunsil and Watson would be addressed in 2021 when the CBA and Cap figures are announced. Texans should be in a great position to get both under contract.
Continuity on offense should be the theme for the Texans over the next 5 seasons and with these moves......they could get pretty close with these moves, not to mention they'd be cost effective.
Defense......defense has got a whole slew of problems and they're at each level. No way this gets fixed in 1 off-season but with the moves on offense......maybe the offense scores enough to make life easier on the defense as it transitions. The defense has assets, they a few decent depth players but the 2020 moves and draft have to make some headway.
Bradley Roby is scary in regards to what an inflated market may allow him and his agency to command contract wise. I'm not 100% sold on Roby being worth the money the team may have to give him, nor am I all that excited about his play. Texans should let this guy test the market before making a decision. If he walks, fine. Since the Texans could tag him, they should also be able to receive a 2021 COMP Pick (RD4) if he signs elsewhere.
McKinney could be a solid chip to move based on his cap hit and potential return in regards to pick(s). I think the Texans could keep a lot of money on the table by letting DJ Reader move on to a new team and collect a 2021 RD3 COMP Pick in return.
The Texans could literally utilize the bulk of the 2020 and 2021 draft picks to shore up their defense. But a couple of solid UFA signings could go a long way towards easing the pain of the transition.
My moves on defense:
1. Sign UFA DE, Robert Quinn (11-12M PS)
2. Sign UFA DT, Ndamukong Suh (5-6M PS)
3. Sign UFA CB, James Bradbury (6-8M PS)
4. Sign UFA OLB, Kyler Fackrell (2-3M PS)
5. Sign UFA DT, Brandon Dunn (2-3M PS)
6. Sign UFA SS, Jaleel Adams (1-1.5M PS)
7. Sign UFA FS, Mike Adams (1-1.5M PS)
8. Sign UFA CB, Phillip Gaines (550K-850K PS)
9. Sign UFA ILB, Dylan Cole (550K-850K PS)
Quinn and Suh would be short 2 to 3 year deals with an early out. Bradbury and Fackrell could be longer deals since both are young with plenty of tread on the tires.
**Fackrell would be my massive sleeper signing since he fell from starting for GB to being backup after posting 10.5 sacks in 2018. He's 6-5 @ 245 lbs with outstanding length for the position. The front 7 could be outstanding in regards to getting pressure on the QB.
10. Let DT, Reader move to another team. This would ensure the Texans a 2021 RD3 COMP Pick.
11. Let CB, Roby Move to another team. This should ensure the Texans a 2021 RD4 COMP Pick.
12. Trade ILB, McKinney. The pick return in this trade could be solid as well as the cap savings.
Texans could be really strong in either a 4-3 or 3-4 Defense with these moves. With the defensive front 7 being capable of putting pressure on the QB's again.....it could allow Lonnie Johnson the opportunity to become better especially with Reid and Gipson at S and Bradbury moving to CB1. There would be depth there, not to mention draft picks as well.
Leaving via FA:
1. CB, Roby
2. RB, Miller
3. CB, Joseph
4. QB, Webb
5. OT, Clark
6. DT, Reader
Leaving via Trade:
1. OC, Martin
2. ILB, McKinney
3. RG, Fulton
4. OG, Kelemete
5. TE, Aikens
**6. WR, Coutee**
Gaining via UFA:
1. RG, Brandon Scherff
2. WR, Emanual Sanders
3. DE, Robert Quinn
4. DT, Ndamukong Suh
5. OLB, Kyler Fackrell
6. CB, James Bradbury
3 short term contracts and 3 long term contracts should get the Texans past the 2021 season and back on track for a complete draft in 2022.