Just place "
https://www.houstonchronicle.com" on the exempt list in your cookies setting.
But if you can't:
Texans and free agency: position-by-position analysis
Brooks Kubena, Staff writer
March 12, 2022
Texans general manager Nick Caserio said at the NFL combine that it was hard to believe it’s been a year since he’s been on the job. The initial roster overhaul, which Caserio has described as a “massive undertaking” of a rebuild, fielded a team filled mostly with rookies and veterans playing on one-year deals last season. The strategy wrought a 4-13 record, but it also helped improve a cap space situation that was so alarming cap that Caserio once joked it ranked 40th out of 32 teams.
The Texans now have moderate flexibility with $15.52 million in cap space, which ranks 17th according to Over The Cap, although the franchise ranks fourth with $35.57 million in budget-inhibiting dead money. While Caserio can spend more liberally than he could a year ago, it isn’t likely he can make too many splash signings with big-time free agents.
That could change if Deshaun Watson,
whom a grand jury chose Friday not to indict with criminal charges, is traded soon to another team. Any trade would
clear about $24 million in cap space associated with Watson’s contract, and Texans coach Lovie Smith said last week the franchise “would like a prompt resolution” to the situation.
There’s no other indication the Texans are in a hurry to offload Watson’s contract in time to hunt premier free agents once the league’s tampering rules are temporarily lifted Monday and teams can start signing players Wednesday. For now, here’s a full breakdown of the Texans roster, an analysis of their positional needs and the potential free agents the rebuilding franchise could pursue.
TEXANS CAP SPACE: $15.52 million.
Note: Texans players’ 2022 cap hit is in parentheses. Free agents’ last team and 2021 average annual salary is in parentheses. All numbers are per Over The Cap.
QUARTERBACK
Players under contract (3): Deshaun Watson ($40.4 million), Davis Mills ($1.87 million), Jeff Driskel ($1 million)
Notable free agents: Teddy Bridgewater (Broncos, $11.5 million), Andy Dalton (Bears, $10 million), Jameis Winston (Saints, $5.5 million), Marcus Mariota (Raiders, $3.5 million), Mitchell Trubisky (Bills, $2.5 million)
Analysis: Smith has said that Davis Mills is essentially “their guy” in 2022, although he walked back a little at the NFL combine by saying “we don’t give starting positions out this time of the year.” We’ll go ahead and give it out.
Smith called it “a must” to retain Pep Hamilton and elevate him to offensive coordinator in order to continue Mills’ development. With other draft needs and moderate money to spend in free agency, it would make sense for the Texans to pursue an affordable veteran to back up and push Mills in training camp. Tyrod Taylor made $5.5 million on his one-year deal last season, and, if questions about his injury proneness weren’t confirmed in 2021, he’d be a logical player to re-sign. Mitchell Trubisky made $2.5 million as Josh Allen’s backup in Buffalo last season, but it’s likely the 2017 No. 2 overall pick will leverage the bullish quarterback market to land with a team as a potential starter. Think more culture/system fits like Jacoby Brissett, whom Caserio helped draft in New England, or Marcus Mariota, who’s familiar with Hamilton’s West Coast playbook and worked with new Texans tight ends coach Tim Berbenich, Hamilton’s longtime colleague, for two seasons with the Raiders.
RUNNING BACK
Players under contract (3): Rex Burkhead ($2.47 million), Scottie Phillips ($895K), Darius Anderson ($705K)
Notable free agents: Leonard Fournette (Buccaneers, $3.25 million), Rashaad Penny (Seahawks, $2.69 million), Sony Michel (Rams, $2.4 million), James Conner (Cardinals, $1.75 million), Devonta Freeman (Ravens, $1.07 million)
Analysis: The Texans don’t have the kind of
“home-run hitter” running backs coach Danny Barrett says the franchise wants, and that can actually be a pretty appealing pitch to free agent running backs looking for a place where they can be the leading rusher. If the Texans make any splash signing, it seems they’d be most able to splurge at this position. The NFL set its 2022 non-exclusive franchise tag numbers this week, which averages the league’s top five cap hits at that position, and running back was the second-lowest ($9.57 million) ahead of only kickers/punters ($5.22 million). Translation: Running backs are affordable. Darrel Williams, who totaled 1,010 scrimmage yards with the Chiefs last season (558 rushing, 452 receiving), fits the all-around mold Caserio likes. So does Leonard Fournette, 2017’s No. 4 overall pick, who may be out of Houston’s league. It appears Fournette is poised to enter free agency after two years with the Buccaneers. But would “Playoff Lenny” want to join a rebuilding franchise? That’s really the paradox the Texans are facing in their pitch with any free agent: Yes, you can get plenty carries. But you also have to play behind one of the league’s most inefficient offensive lines. Which free agent will sign up for that? Is there enough assurance Houston will shore up their line in the draft and free agency? With so many questions, the Texans may find their best option at running back in the draft.
TIGHT END
Players under contract (2): Brevin Jordan ($913K), Paul Quessenberry ($705K)
Notable free agents: Zach Ertz (Cardinals, $8.5 million), C.J. Uzomah (Bengals, $6.1 million), Mo Alie-Cox (Colts, $3.38 million), Will Dissly (Seahawks, $777K), Tyler Conklin (Vikings, $628K)
Analysis: Imagine the bargain the Texans have if they trust Brevin Jordan enough to be their top tight end in 2022? The 2021 fifth-round pick’s four-year, $3.83 million contract doesn’t expire until after the 2024 season, and, even then, the cap hit will only be about $1.14 million. Jordan became an ample receiving threat late into his rookie season and even was targeted in key one-on-ones on third downs. He’ll need to develop more, but Smith complimented Jordan for being “pretty flexible” in what will again be a tight-end friendly offense. Smith did say Jordan’s not an “ideal” option at the in-line Y position — the tight end who lines up next to the offensive tackle (Jordan is best at splitting out as a receiver) — so it’s likely the Texans pursue a complimentary player who more fits that mold. It’s unlikely Houston re-signs Pharaoh Brown, who along with injury issues, was the team’s most penalized player. The Patriots valued the position highly while Caserio was in their front office, but the Texans don’t really have the budget to make a big splash signing here. Think more of an acquisition like Will Dissly. The 6-4, 265-pound tight end was a moderate pass-catcher (900 yards receiving, 9 touchdowns in four seasons) who was best used in the run game with the Seahawks. Seattle also just acquired tight end Noah Fant as part of their blockbuster Russell Wilson trade with Denver. They may not have the need or desire to re-sign Dissly.
WIDE RECEIVER
Players under contract (6): Brandin Cooks ($16.2 million), Phillip Dorsett ($1.18 million), Nico Collins ($1.1 million), Davion Davis ($895K), Jalen Camp ($825K), Damon Hazelton ($705K)
Notable free agents: Juju Smith-Schuster (Steelers, $8 million), Sammy Watkins (Ravens, $5 million), Christian Kirk (Cardinals, $1.47 million), Braxton Berrios (Jets, $644K), Jakobi Meyers (Patriots, $588K)
Analysis: The Texans were often
too reliant last season on Brandin Cooks, and they’ll likely want to shop for wide receivers who can give Mills more downfield passing threats. Nico Collins could emerge as a formidable No. 2 receiver after a promising rookie season. The Texans have
agreed to bring Chris Conley back a one-year deal, but there are also a few veteran options available in the free agent market the Texans could pursue to fill one of their more modest needs on the roster, particularly at slot receiver. Caserio seems to have confidence in former Patriots receiver Phillip Dorsett, who re-signed on a one-year deal, and former FCS All-American Davion Davis, who broke his leg after one catch last year, will also be back as a potential slot receiver. But maybe the Texans put themselves in play to sign an established No. 2 with a player like JuJu Smith-Schuster, who’s a risk but expected to be a bargain signing after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in 2021. Maybe Caserio could sneak the burgeoning Jakobi Meyers, a restricted free agent with the Patriots, away from his former franchise. The Texans won’t likely be able to afford a big name at slot receiver like Christian Kirk, and they may be more in line for someone like Zach Pascal, who, in the last three seasons with the Colts, totaled 123 catches, 1,620 yards and 13 touchdowns. Braxton Berrios, a pending Jets free agent, is someone to watch as a former Patriots Caserio helped draft. But Berrios, an all-pro kick returner last season, could crowd special teams responsibilities already held by cornerback Tremon Smith.
Players under contract (11): OT Laremy Tunsil ($26.1 million), OT Marcus Cannon ($5.2 million), OL Tytus Howard ($3.89 million), G Max Scharping ($2.9 million), G Justin McCray ($2.59 million), C Jimmy Moreland ($2.54 million), OT Charlie Heck ($1.07 million), OG Jake Eldrenkamp ($895K), OG Jordan Steckler ($835K), G Sam Cooper ($705K), OT Carson Green ($705K)
Notable free agents: OT Cedric Ogbuehi (Signing, formerly Bengals), C Ryan Jensen (Buccaneers, $10.5 million), C Ben Jones (Titans, $6.75 million), G Brandon Scherff (Commanders, $18 million), G Laken Tomlinson (49ers, $5.5 million), G James Daniels (Bears, $1.73 million), G Connor Williams ($1.37 million)
Analysis: The Texans have already taken action to bolster one of the weaker offensive line units in the NFL last year by
agreeing to terms with veteran tackle Cedric Ogbuehi on a one-year deal. Ogbuehi, 29, is a former first-round pick who only played in three games with the Seahawks and Ravens last year while dealing with a bicep injury. Since the Texas A&M product has primarily played right tackle in his career, Ogbuehi’s signing signals the Texans may be poised to move on from the oft-injured Marcus Cannon, 33, whose release would save the franchise $5.2 million in cap space. Either way, Houston’s roster is top-heavy with tackles.
Laremy Tunsil remains under contract. The Texans desperately need improvement along the interior. While the franchise could
potentially address the need with the No. 3 overall pick with Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu, since both tackles also play guard, the Texans ought to add key guard free agents and could use a veteran center to compliment Jimmy Moreland in his second year. Again, what can the Texans afford? Probably not Ryan Jensen, 30, a center who’s coming off his first Pro Bowl season with the Buccaneers. Think more Ben Jones, 33, who might consider returning to Houston at a bargain after six seasons with the Titans. At guard, James Daniels, 24, could be seeking too lucrative a deal after an impressive season with the Bears. Connor Williams, 24, may be a more affordable option with potential upside. But the former second-round pick out of Texas was the NFL’s most penalized lineman last year with the Cowboys.
TO BE CONTINUED IN ANOTHER POST
www.profootballrumors.com
