HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans are coming off back-to-back four-win seasons and are on their second coach in Nick Caserio’s 13 months as general manager.
Houston, which lost eight straight games last season, ended up with the No. 3 pick in the draft. Caserio fired coach David Culley less than a year after he was hired and, after an extensive coaching search, promoted Lovie Smith from defensive coordinator. Caserio also fired offensive coordinator Tim Kelly, who will be replaced by former passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton.
The Texans are expecting a significant amount of roster turnover for the second straight offseason, but they are hopeful they’ve found their starting quarterback in 2021 third-round pick Davis Mills. There is still a lot of uncertainty around Deshaun Watson’s legal situation -- he faces 22 civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and inappropriate behavior -- but the Texans are hoping they can trade the quarterback this offseason after paying him last season to sit out.
Projected salary-cap space: $13.9 million
Top free agents: QB Tyrod Taylor, S Justin Reid, RB David Johnson, DT Maliek Collins, C Justin Britt, CB Desmond King, WR Danny Amendola, LB Christian Kirksey, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB Jacob Martin, TE Jordan Akins
Potential cut candidates: Two guys to watch are tackle Marcus Cannon and linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis. Both players missed significant time because of injury, and the Texans could save $5.2 million by cutting Cannon and $3.19 million by moving on from Pierre-Louis.
What you need to know: For the first time since 2019, the Texans have a first-round pick. While they could take an impact player at No. 3, Caserio hinted at his end-of-season news conference that Houston could trade down in the draft. While he won't be able to get quite the same return for the No. 3 pick as he could in other seasons because it's not a strong draft for quarterbacks, Caserio could get the player he likes and add even more draft capital. Houston currently has nine picks in 2022, including one in each of the first two rounds and two in the third, and that number could go up if Caserio decides to move a few veteran players who are currently under contract, like left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Brandin Cooks.
Best-case scenario for the team’s offseason: If the Texans can trade Watson and get a significant return for the quarterback -- especially if it happens before free agency -- Caserio can take on this rebuild with a huge amount of draft capital and cap space.
Worst-case scenario for the team’s offseason: They can’t trade Watson and have to either cut the quarterback or again have to carry him on their active roster -- this time with a $40 million cap hit. If the Texans can’t move on from Watson, it will delay the progress Houston can make toward finishing with a winning season.
Early look at the NFL draft, from ESPN analyst Jordan Reid: The Texans are still working to build a foundation and find their identity, and Caserio should take the best prospect available with each pick. Building from the inside-out could be an approach the franchise takes, but they have needs at virtually every position.
Top needs: DL, WR, OL
Top pick: No. 3