NFL free company is true across the nook and Nick Caserio appears to be like like a participant.
The Houston Texans wish to construct on their 11-8 AFC South season in 2024. They’ve the best coach in DeMeco Ryans. They’ve a franchise quarterback on a rookie contract in Wunderkind CJ Stroud.
Houston additionally has younger core items with a number of years left on their present offers. Breakout receiver Nico Collins is the one participant eligible for an extension, whereas defensive stars Derek Stingley Jr., Jalen Pitre and Christian Harris nonetheless have so much to show earlier than negotiations start in 2025.
The Texans have roughly $63 million in cap area, in accordance with Over The Cap, but additionally have 30 free brokers. Certain, Houston might spend on participant two, making them a proposal that may't be turned down, however additionally they want steady depth now dealing with a 2024 top-seed plan.
Ought to the Texans let Jonathan Greenard, Sheldon Rankins, Blake Cashman, Steven Nelson and Devin Singletary stroll, these spots will turn into essential positions to focus on as soon as the statutory hitting interval begins on Monday.
Listed below are 5 potential outdoors names who needs to be on the Texans' radar if the worth is true.
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DL Christian Wilkins
If the Texans are going to make a transfer on one of many large names, Wilkins needs to be the goal. He was a fixture within the Dolphins' entrance seven for 5 seasons as one of many league's greatest operating backs, however he stepped it up a notch this season with 9 sacks.
Wilkins completed with a grade of 73.4 or increased as a run defender in accordance with Professional Soccer Focus as of 2020. Arguably Ryans' most notable accomplishment was turning the worst seasons of the run protection right into a prime 10 unit. . The Texans wish to construct on that with Anderson off the sting. Wilkins, who might play each three-tech and one-tech, can be a plug-and-play addition to the trenches and considerably of a mentor to the previous three.
Nonetheless, all of it depends upon the costs. Now that Chris Jones is again in Kansas Metropolis on a profitable $95 million deal, Wilkins is the perfect defensive sort out in the marketplace. He’ll command anyplace between $22 million to $26 million per 12 months. Are the Texans prepared to cough up the dough?
If he doesn't, the Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns might all be suitors for the 28-year-old. The Minnesota Vikings could possibly be a darkish horse given the connection to former head coach Brian Flores.
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LB Azeez Al-Shaair
Talking of the connection, it's arduous to think about Al-Shaair not being on the Texans' radar. He grew to become one of many higher backs within the league underneath Ryans with the San Francisco 49ers final season earlier than becoming a member of rival Tennessee on a one-year, $5 million deal.
Al-Shaair wished an opportunity to play for Mike Vrabel whereas establishing himself as a three-kill large man. Each targets had been completed regardless of a dismal 6-11 marketing campaign that led to a change in command. The 26-year-old had 163 whole tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 4 move breakups and 7 quarterback hits as a frontrunner up the center.
Harris is greatest utilized in area, which implies whoever provides Houston must be comfy taking part in middle. That's the place Al-Shaair shined in Nashville and will construct on that subsequent season. Patrick Queen and Frankie Luva had been rumored to be targets in Houston, however a mixture between Ryans and Al-Shaair would make for a seamless transition.
Houston gained't be alone in attempting to land the previous Florida Atlantic star. Sources informed TexansDaily.com throughout the mix that Al-Shaair could have a much bigger market than another participant on the place due to his versatility.
RB Tony Pollard
Saquon Barkley is the final word dream for all Texans followers. The fact is Houston will possible be taking a look at two operating backs for the price of one. Singletary, who took over as head bullpen halfway by means of the season, stays in reunion talks, however the Texans gained't sit idly by as he decides what occurs subsequent.
Pollard's manufacturing went up in Dallas final offseason after the discharge of Ezekiel Elliott, however his general numbers dipped. Because the No. 2 again, Pollard averaged over 4.8 yards per run in 4 of his 5 seasons. He completed with over 1,000 yards for the second straight 12 months, but additionally averaged a career-low 4.0 yards per try and scored simply six touchdowns.
Scheme-wise, Pollard would simply match underneath Bobby Slowik's workers. He's the kind of operating again who might elevate the operating sport behind a wholesome offensive line, conserving the chains shifting whereas serving as a secondary piece reverse Stroud.
Pollard can even present worth as a receiving menace. In 5 seasons with the Cowboys, he averaged 7.5 yards per catch and 5 touchdowns. Over the previous three years with the “different” staff in Texas, Pollard has recorded no less than a dozen first downs.
D'Andre Swift is one other title value watching, however from a schematic standpoint, it's arduous to not envision Pollard as an possibility. The Texans might shock the world and spend large on Barkley, but when they determine to go extra reasonably priced, the 6-footer on Interstate 45 could possibly be the most suitable choice.
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WR Curtis Samuel
The Texans don't want a No. 1 receiver after Collins' 1,200-yard season. Actually, Houston can be coming into treacherous waters in the event that they signed Collins as one of many prime names heading right into a contract season.
Including a No. 3 goal would take the stress off Collins and Dell. The slot receiver position was a continuing revolving door between John Metchie III, Noah Brown, Xavier Hutchinson and even Dell in seasons that by no means discovered an id.
Samuel is usually in comparison with Deebo due to their versatility, however he is a sturdy automated goal who has at all times felt comfy because the “second” within the offense. With Carolina, he served as No. 2 alongside DJ Moore. With Washington, he performed sidekick to main man Terry McLaurin after which moved to the No. 3 spot when Jahan Dotson joined the combo.
Barring an damage within the 2020 season, Samuel has hauled in no less than 54 balls yearly since 2019 and averaged practically 10 yards per catch. He additionally has seven speeding touchdowns and is nice for 12-18 carries on the season. For Slowik, he can be a artistic chess piece to work into his system, very similar to Deebo Samuel was a couple of years in the past.
If a two-year contract value lower than $20 million can be sufficient, Samuel needs to be within the sport.
CB Jeff Okudah
The Texans are prone to draft a nook inside their first three picks, however they want a veteran to pair with Stingley to begin the open spots. Nelson could return, however he's additionally 31 and could also be in search of a payday that Houston isn't prepared to offer.
Why not go for a venture participant with some upside? That's Okudah, the previous No. 3 out of Ohio State who didn't enable a landing in three seasons with the Buckeyes. After a blended three seasons with the Lions, Okudah joined the Falcons and appeared like a extra pure slot in Ryan Nielsen's protection.
Over the Cap estimates Okudah to be value about $5.1 million per 12 months, considerably lower than names like Kendall Fuller and Chidobe Awuzie. Including Odukah, who is barely 25, doesn't take drafting a cornerback at No. 23 off the desk both.
Greatest case situation? Okudah is changing into a sturdy No. 2 linebacker in a surging protection. Worst case situation? Offers depth for secondary expertise.
Honorable Mentions
DL DJ Reader: Reader started his profession in Houston earlier than receiving a large elevate from the Bengals. If Rankins walks and Wiki is simply too costly, this could possibly be the proper center floor, particularly for run defenses.
DB Quandre Diggs: A transfer to nickel may gain advantage Jalen Pitre, however a gap stays up prime. Diggs, a former nickel again turned free security, picked off 13 passes as soon as he moved into the backfield and is a sturdy sort out. He's 31 and beginning to decline, however he'd be an excellent match.
LB Jordyn Brooks: Brooks' greatest season got here in 2021 on the MIKE place, when he had 184 whole tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6 move breakups. Over the previous two years, the previous Texas Tech star has logged no less than 100 stops and improved as a blitzer. Brooks is a Houston native, so he may be prepared to affix the staff at a literal hometown low cost.
WR Tyler Boyd: If Houston is in search of a stable slot receiver, few are extra constant than Boyd. Since 2019, the 5-11 goal has hauled in no less than 67 balls for 670 yards, averaging 11 yards per sport. He's 29 and regular, one thing the Texans want of their sport.
DE Chase Younger: How a lot are Texans prepared to spend? Let's say Younger needs to re-emerge now that he's totally recovered from his ACL tear and is prepared to simply accept a one-year “show it” value lower than $10 million. If the previous Defensive Rookie of the 12 months finally ends up with greater than 7 sacks and greater than 12 tackles for loss, it's a win for each side.
DL Javon Kinlaw: The previous 14th decide within the 2020 draft may want the Rankins therapy to get again on observe. As a rotation possibility final season, Kinlaw was greatest utilized in passing units, totaling profession highs in QB hits (seven) and sacks (3.5). He already understands what Ryans is in search of in a quarterback, and his attributes are too good to disregard.
RB Gus Edwards: If Singletary walks, Edwards could possibly be the alternative. He was higher as a No. 2 position with Baltimore, however can play a management position if accidents happen. Final season, with JK Dobbins out, Edwards totaled 13 touchdowns and averaged 4.1 yards per carry.
LB Willie Homosexual Jr.: Homosexual was greatest utilized in sub-packages off the sting and ultimately moved to the No. 3 position for Steve Spagnuolo's protection. Nonetheless, Houston wants lightning down the center. Ought to Homosexual transfer from the surface in, perhaps a one-year deal, since Cashman's alternative isn't far-fetched?
CB Adoree Jackson: Coming from Wink Martindale's aggressive blitz protection, Jackson ought to be capable to maintain his personal in protection. He performed higher within the nickel than outdoors, however his versatility ought to make him expendable. One factor Jackson informed reporters on Radio Row throughout the Tremendous Bowl is that he needs to play for a Tremendous Bowl contending staff.
