Cap room gives Texans roster flexibility Spoiler PFF’S TOP 75 FREE AGENTS OF 2016 28. Brandon Brooks, G 2015 team: Houston Texans Brooks was a top-10 guard in 2013 and 2014 before experiencing a dip in run-blocking performance last season. On the plus side, he did have his best year in pass protection, and there is good reason to believe he can bounce back going forward for a team with a zone-heavy offense. 74. Ben Jones, C 2015 team: Houston Texans Jones didn’t have as much success last year after moving from guard to center, but he proved capable of playing the position and should do better if he can cut down on the penalties. 50 predictions to 50 NFL offseason questions 15. Are the Texans gonna come back in Week 1 with a playoff roster and Brian Hoyer as the QB? Texans owner Bob McNair has all but publicly demanded general manager Rick Smith and head coach Bill O'Brien to replace Hoyer. They might have a playoff roster, but Hoyer will not be the starting quarterback. -- Tania Ganguli
I'd expect our FO to draft a RB, but the FA market looks ripe with talent at that position. Not sure if Forte or Doug Martin would be good fits here (or worth the cost), but both are stud RBs.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Also, I am pretty convinced that the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash">#Texans</a> are seriously considering keeping Arian Foster.</p>— PDSmoove (@PatDStat) <a href="https://twitter.com/PatDStat/status/699261074940399616">February 15, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
They better seriously be able to negotiate a much lower deal with Foster. Instead of making $9 million it should be down to about $4 million. Playing in only 25 out of 48 games in the last 3 years is not someone you pay that kind of money to. If they keep Foster at his current contract it's just another item on the list why Rick Smith should be fired.
I think Nate had most of the drops, but seemed to get open more. Cecil just never really had much of an impact. Pretty crappy WR crew after Hop
Mel Kiper mock 1. Tennessee Titans - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss 2. Cleveland Browns - Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State 3. San Diego Chargers - DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon 4. Dallas Cowboys - Jared Goff, QB, California 5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State 6. Baltimore Ravens - Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State 7. San Francisco 49ers - Myles Jack, LB, UCLA 8. Miami Dolphins - Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame 9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida 10. New York Giants - Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky 11. Chicago Bears - Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame 12. New Orleans Saints - Sheldon Rankins, DL, Louisville 13. Philadelphia Eagles - Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State 14. Oakland Raiders - Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State 15. Los Angeles Rams - Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss 16. Detroit Lions - Jarran Reed, DL, Alabama 17. Atlanta Falcons - Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson 18. Indianapolis Colts - Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama 19. Buffalo Bills - Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson 20. New York Jets - Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama 21. Washington Redskins - A'Shawn Robinson, DL, Alabama 22. Houston Texans - Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State 23. Minnesota Vikings - Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State 24. Cincinnati Bengals - Josh Doctson, WR, TCU 25. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech 26. Seattle Seahawks - Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss 27. Green Bay Packers - Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas 28. Kansas City Chiefs - Jihad Ward, DE, Illinois 29. Arizona Cardinals - Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State 30. Carolina Panthers - Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson 31. Denver Broncos - Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
Kinda need to take a QB in the first round if you think Rams will get one with one of their 2 picks in the 2nd
NFL.com trolling Texans fans http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...rround-mock-draft-20-browns-chargers-snag-qbs 1-22 Vernon Butler - DT, Louisiana Tech Vince Wilfork can't last too much longer, so adding more bulk in the middle of the defense is a must for the Texans. 52. Houston Texans: Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama 85. Houston Texans: Jacoby Brissett, QB, North Carolina State 119. Houston Texans: Roberto Aguayo, K, Florida State
I'd rather take a look at Dwayne Allen. I think he could be had for cheap since he's been dealing with injuries for much of his career.
There's little doubt if Arian returns his contract will be incentive-laced. Team should be ready for injury by upgrading their #2 through FA or the draft. Every RB on the current roster is a backup, at best. Blue not scoring that TD vs the Chiefs looked like a blooper. Texans' #2 needs to be #1 capable, if Foster starts the season #1.
There are multiple ways to fill holes -- free agency, waivers, the draft, trades. Do not reach for a QB in the first round. Strengthen the OL and the skill positions as an alternative if there is really strong talent available at those positions. Reaching for a QB need in the first round conjures up images of the Titans and Jaguars drafting Jake Locker and Blaine Gabbert, respectively, ahead of JJ Watt in 2011. The highest priority in the first round is to get a solid contributor, as the salary commitment will be high. The worst use of a roster spot on a team is an overpaid player.
Lynch at 22 is not a reach if BOB likes him at all. (Is he a Kaepernick clone?) There would be relatively better RB picks in the second and third , unless BOB likes Elliott/Cook. 12 Ezekiel Elliott RB 1 Ohio State Jr 6-0 225 1 41 Derrick Henry RB 2 Alabama Jr 6-2 242 2 60 Alex Collins RB 3 Arkansas Jr 5-11 218 2 64 Devontae BookerRB 4 Utah rSr 5-11 212 2 75 Kenneth Dixon RB 5 Louisiana Tech Sr 5-10 215 2-3 83 Jordan Howard RB 6 Indiana Jr 6-1 225 2-3 91 Jonathan WilliamsRB7 Arkansas Sr 5-11 219 3
