FA's Texans are "interested" in... [RB Miller, OL Allen, C Bergstrom Signed]
 

With FA about to heat up, I figured I'd start a thread on FA's other than the ones on our roster that the Texans are rumored to be interested in:

Have to say, I'd love to get Miller in that salary slot we had Foster in (or less) and Benjamin would be a nice addition to stretch the field and finally give us a homerun threat at KR/PR. I'm still torn on how hard we should go after Osweiler. I could see them signing him and still drafting Hack or some other QB later in the draft.

Looks like this might happen. I'd be good with it. Young, fast, low mileage... Opens up other options with our high picks. Far better option, IMO, than what the Titans did trading for Murray and still paying the full guaranteed portion of his salary.

I think RB is too easy to acquire to pay serious FA dollars for it.

I also think Osweiller wasn't very good last year. If they were not winning those games with defense and he played at an identical level in losses, he'd be looking for backup jobs. If we pay him like a low end starter (comparable to Fitz and Hoyer) and still get a young guy, I'm good with it. But I don't buy him as an answer at all.

Normally, I'd agree with this 100%. In fact, FA dollars this offseason would be best spent going after a tight end like Martellus Bennett.

But I think Miller is decent buy given his age, mileage, and versatility. He isn't a bell cow, so the team will need to consider a back late in the draft, too, but this lessens the URGENCY at the position in the draft given the departures of Foster and Grimes and the ineffectiveness of Blue (and the still unknown in Hunt).

As for Osweiler, the Texans could be thinking we may love a guy like Wentz or Goff but see no reasonable scenario in which to trade up for him without mortgaging every other position in the draft this year and next. Osweiler would give O'Brien the vet he desires that seems ok in the short yardage game.

I'm less thrilled about adding a WR again in FA, though I understand that Jaelen Strong had an uneven rookie season and has demonstrated maturity issues. Washington has terrible hands, and Shorts is meh. Mumph can return too, but all of these guys lack the package that is Benjamin.

The team's M.O. with UFAs has been to fill holes so the 'best player available' can be selected in the draft. So aside from criminally ignoring the TE position (apparently, considering we're still only in the legal tampering window), I'm intrigued by these early developments.

A guy I'd like to see them sign and give a shot is Ladarius Green. He could possibly be had for a reasonable deal if he thinks he has a true shot at starter reps. If they can't sign Benjamin, which I don't think they will because he'll probably get big $ somewhere else, Green would be my next target.

I agree, but only if you already have a decent bridge RB on your roster, which we don't. I think that if you have the money to spend (a big key in my thinking here) and can fill a major hole with a young, healthy, proven commodity, then you go for it. RB is such a big need right now that we'd likely burn a high pick on one and I think Miller is better than any of the RB prospects beyond Elliott, who we'd definitely have to burn a #1 on. And Elliott might not even be there when we pick. With a bunch of cap space and Miller being a good young player, I don't have a problem with it. I'd rather we go after him than someone like Ivory for slightly less money. I think we still draft a RB, regardless. Just not until RD 4 or 5. Offensively, I think the RBs have the best talent vs. value in FA this year. And Miller is the cream of the crop, IMO, when you factor in age, mileage and skill set. The other positions are going to get way overpaid, which is my fear with Brooks.

As for Osweiler, as I stated previously, I'm not huge fan or convinced yet that he's all that good (maybe he is). However, I can see where the Texans brass would feel he's equal to or better than any option they'll have in late RD1 or late RD2. I mean, if you're OB, would you rather roll with Osweiler who has some game experience and has groomed under Manning and coached by Elway and Kubiak, or roll with Lynch or Cook? It's probably safe to say Osweiler knows what it takes to prepare and likely has a good attitude and work ethic since Elway and Kubiak were and are willing to hand him the reigns. I think the Texans still draft a QB. It would allow them to get a Hack or Prescott much later in the draft to groom for the future.

EDIT: Let me just add, I don't think giving Osweiler a deal similar in $ to Bradford's is all that unreasonable in today's NFL for a starter. That is, as long as it's framed in a way we can get out of it in 2 or 3 years if need be and we draft with a plan. If Osweiler turns out to be great, then it's a great deal and no one cares if Hack or Prescott rides the pine forever. If he fails, you eat it and hope Hack or whoever turns out to be the answer (for the next HC, LOL).

Can't say I like that price tag for a guy like Ivory. If we sign Miller, I hope it's at or under $6MM.

If we give Osweiller Bradford kind of money and then need to get out of it in 2-3 years, O'Brien and Smith will be gone in 2-3 years. If you are betting on Osweiller to the degree you are giving him top half starting QB money, then you are betting your job on him. I think that'd be a very poor bet.

I think OB and Smith's job is dependent upon how the next QB performs regardless if it's Osweiler, Wentz, Goff, Cook or Joe Schmoe. They might be looking at it as if Osweiler gives them far better odds than a rookie for the reasons I stated above. IMO, the time table is still 2-3 years whether it's Osweiler or someone else.

Well, the Texans committed to Matt Schaub with less experience than Osweiler has. And, FWIW, the head coach got axed about the same time Schaub did.

I agree. My point was that they have no motivation to structure a deal with an easy out since they will be out with him.

I also think it is obvious that a rookie QB gives a 3-4 year salary advantage on the NFL since they make about $15 million less than even an unproven vet. You can pay buy a lot of football team with that money. That is part of why I am not very afraid of Indy going forward. Their braintrust wasted 4 years of cheap Andrew Luck and will now have to start gutting the rest of the roster to pay him (like Seattle has had to do the last year).

True. I was thinking (hoping) more from a fan's perspective on the easy-out portion.

I would think Ivory's money is the floor for Miller's deal.

You're probably right. Although, technically, Ivory had a better year last year and hopefully Miller's options are getting a bit more limited and we can work a better deal. Wouldn't shock me to see Miller get a bit more, though.

Travis Benjamin is headed to the Chargers, so scratch him off the list.

Lamar Miller likely to get ~$7 million/yr. Ought to find out soon. Doug Martin just got about the same to stay with the Bucs.

Wayyyy too quiet on the tight end front. The draft is terrible for the position to get an impact player this year. Ladarius Green likely to sign with the Steelers. No talk (yet) of any players on the market that the team has interest in signing.

Boy, might be hard to fit Miller in now that they've reached a deal with Os (have to shorten that name!).

Miller signed 4-yr, $26M per multiple reports. $14M guaranteed.

About to drop Hoyer's $5.25 million salary.

Lost Brandon Brooks to Eagles for 5-yr $40M but will add Jeff Allen for 4-yr $28M.

“Jeff Allen only started eight games in 2015, but he was as critical to the success of the Chiefs offense as anyone on the offensive line. His ability to protect Alex Smith and open up running lanes allowed Kansas City to maintain balance on offense after Jamaal Charles was lost for the season. He possesses some versatility, however is much better suited for guard than tackle. He certainly helped himself by playing so well in a contract year, but will need to be more consistent moving forward to avoid being a future cap casualty.”

Allen is another quality blocker with the kind of size-athleticism combination that should be able to fit in any offensive system. Given how much the Texans lost on the interior with Brandon Brooks and Ben Jones going elsewhere, this is the kind of versatile player they needed to grab and they pulled it off.
http://nflmocks.com/2016/03/09/jeff-...ouston-texans/

Tony Bergstrom, G/C from the Raiders, has been signed. 6'5" 315, 29 yrs old. 2012 late third round pick.

https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/...52143977975808

Guaranteed money is in first two years.

Brandon Brooks in comparison has $21M guaranteed with an $11M in signing bonus. Not a bad move by the Texans. Allen is a good player that looks like a decent value when compared to Brooks.

So need to Welcome these new FA to Houston hope your careers all succeed .

As I said in the other thread, Texans traded Hoyer, Foster, Jones and Brooks for Osweiler, Miller, Allen and Bergstrom. Is it an upgrade? You decide.

QB: Hoyer for Osweiler and keeping our #1 pick = YES
RB: Miller for Foster and keeping our #2, 3, or 4 pick = YES
OL: Allen for Brooks and Cap Savings = YES (I think some experts would say Allen is better)
OL: Bergstrom for Jones = WASH - Jones wasn't bad, but he wasn't great and is replaceable, IMO.

I'm not too concerned about the money, because, by the looks of it, these new contracts have the flexibility to op-out in a couple of years. Plus, we have some vets (Cush, Wilfork, JJoe, Hoyer, possibly Brown, heaven forbid Clowney) that we'll purge off in the next year or two. We'll be OK cap-wise for the future, IMO.

Texans still have about 19 mil in cap space
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/houston-texans/cap/

So, any thoughts how and when might use that? I guess 6 mil for draft picks, maybe 4 mil for reserve after season starts,

So sitting at 9 mil and still likely Hoyer 4 mil to add to that?

What else?

Doesn't appear to have Miller's deal listed in there, or maybe I missed it?

I could see 3rd wave types, could be any where, none with big dollars. Could definitely see some additional OL guys coming, likely a pass rusher or 2. All 1 year type deals would be my guess.

I've seen tweets and heard on the radio that they're not done but it will be 2nd or 3rd tier FA's. Keep in mind, Crick is a FA so signing him might still be in the cards.

DeAndre Hopkins is a free agent after this season. Extend him now before he gets to the market rate.

This team is desperate for a pass catching tight end, too. Sign Jared Cook or trade for Martellus Bennett (who is a FA after 2016, so extend him as part of the trade).

We could do worse than signing Owen Daniels to a 1-yr contract at under $5 mil. True, he's not a great blocker but he already has familiarity with the Texans and Osweiler and would make a great security blanket for Ossie when a play breaks down. As proven in the AFCCG, he can still get open down the seam.

Not big enough to be an OB TE. His familiarity is with Kubiak. Followed him at all stops.

I don't think they're done at center since Bergstrom only has four career starts, unless they think Mancz can be a player. Probably a mid/late round draft pick.

Saw this retweet in the ITB twitter feed and figured I'd post it here.

I'm not sure if that means he's here to talk, has signed, or just here visiting a strip club. It would be a good signing by the Texans, IMO, if that's what's happening. Good, tough runner and good ST player. If they do sign him, one has to wonder which RB is a goner. I'd still like for them to re-sign Grimes and Hunt. Don't really care if they keep Blue or Polk. Cunningham would be an upgrade to those two, IMO.

Heck of a tight end for the Steelers back in the day, too! I wondered what he'd been up to for the past 35 years.

I was thinking Blue had two near 100 yd games to end the 2015 season. So Blue might be the leading RB on the roster in the what have you done for me lately department. . Could be a function of who was healthy when.

For me TE , WR, even OL might be higher need than RB.

Maybe Safety, DE, and DT also still big need.

Of course could be young guys already on roster step up this year, we just don't know right now.

I love Blue as a non-starting RB. He is very multi talented (ST coverage, solid pass catcher, runner, I think he's the biggest of all the guys we're talking about).

In today's NFL, you need more than one good running back. I wouldn't get rid of Blue just because we got Miller. I wouldn't mind adding a back in the draft, though.

I think the Texans are still weak in the middle of our defense so I would be drafting for NT, ILB and S while adding depth at the DE, OLB and CB spots can also be justified. If we can't re-sign Crick, we have a hole to fill at DE.

While I'm not thrilled with our OL, I think we have commitments everywhere but OC that would make it tough for a draftee to stay on the roster. WR and TE need upgrades and we make look to draft a QB to develop after Osweiler.

Funny, for a 9-7 team, this club has very few satisfactory players. Tells you how weak their schedule was.

Looks like Texans signed a safety who was UFA and injured last year from Jets. S Antonio Allen (6-1, 210).