There are better prospects available in the secondary. Since both areas are vitally important, I think the Texans should target the best values for their capspace.
Who are these better values? I think Trumaine Johnson and Butler are overrated and going to get alot more than they're worth. Solder/Hubbard/Pugh are better values. IMHO The draft is also deeper at CB than OL, not so much S, but there should be a couple of S in the 3rd that are better than Moore/Hal.
If I'm calling the shots, I would sign in FA Solder 5 yrs 75 mil with 25 guaranteed. Pugh- 4 yrs 25 mil with 12 guaranteed Hubbard- 4 yrs 20 mil 9 mil guaranteed Draft in the 3rd Jessie Bates/Holton Hill/Austin Corbett 4th Dalton Schultz This covers most of the holes and if Watson is healthy a playoff team. But there's very little depth.
No. The Texans line is the worst in the NFL and on the roster there is little chance of internal player growth and improvement other than Martin. The Texans need to upgrade at 4 of the 5 line spots. They likely can be passable with an improvement at 2-3 of the spots and scheme to protect the 5th spot.
This is where you're incorrect sir. Sign Solder/Pugh/Hubbard and draft an OG/OT in the 3rd and you will see how good DW$ is playing behind a greatly improved OL. The cash is there to do it. They have enough cap space to sign Norwell instead of Pugh if they want too. McNair just has to spend the money and draft resources to help protect DW4
Solder is injury prone, Pugh,Norwell and Hubbard would be solid then unless Cordy Glenn is cut they should roll with Davenport. That position is very important and he and Deshaun should grow together. So we'd have Martin at c, Norwell (lg) and Davenport (lt) on the left side, Hubbard (rt) and Pugh (rg), draft a big body tight end ( Dalton Schultz or Mike Gesicki) and lets go to war
If ever there was a time to front end load contracts to accommodate an immediate need this is it. Spending $30M next year to reel in any 3 of the 4 you listed puts the team in a good long term situation building around Watson
How many games has Solder missed over the last two years? Over his career? While Davenport is growing DW4 will be getting hurt again. Atleast if they are going to play Davenport they should bring him along like they brought along Brown. Salaam started and Brown started out playing every third series.
Is it worth not extending Clowney to focus in on OLs? Seems like Watson's health should be our number one concern. Or are the two unrelated, i.e., keep Clowney and prioritize OL needs.
The problem isn't focus, the problem is a lack of supply and no high picks. The problem is Rick didn't think OL was important enough to maintain.
I get that. Seems like we have a ton of cap space moving forward, though. Not a cap expert by any means, but it'll be interesting to see how Gaines uses (and further creates) cap space to address our draft deficiency.
I'm talking about now. You don't break your good arm (defensive front) to fix your bad one (offensive line)
