Much of the topic the last few days on this message board has been fantasy and wishful thinking.
What do you really expect to happen in 2021? What's (in your opinion) realistic?
First and foremost, I expect Watson to be starting game one for the Houston Texans in 2021. Other players that I expect will remain on the roster (mainly because of their dead cap hits) that have been talked about on this board lately (this season):
Mercilus ($15,000,000+)
Cunningham (18+)
Cobb (12.25)
Eric Murray (6.5)
David Johnson (2.1)
McKinney (1.5)
As much as I'd love to jettison Murray and Mercilus out of here, I'd joyfully drive them to the airport, it would be difficult to trade them. McKinney is interesting because of how Adams played in his absence but I feel the Texans have a better chance of stopping the run with McKinney.
Unrestricted Free Agents that I expect the Texans to let walk:
McCarron
Scarlett
Conley
Fuller
Dylan Cole
Hargreaves
Michael Thomas
Kyle Emanuel
Jon Weeks
Phillip Gaines
I'd like to keep Fuller but I don't expect he'll be in the Texans's price range. The Texans should (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) receive some compensation in 2022 for losing him.
UFA's that I expect the Texans to retain:
Roderick Johnson
Tyrell Adams
Brent Qvale
Of zero dead cap notables I expect the Texans will pay - Cooks, Crossen, Chad Hansen, and Scottie Phillips. I expect JJ Watt and Duke Johnson will playing for some other team in 2021.