Who will the Texans sign in free agency? Malcolm Butler? Trumaine Johnson? Nate Solder? Jimmy Graham? Someone you’ve never heard of?
TEXANS FREE AGENCY PREVIEW SUMMARY
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: CBs Johnathan Joseph and Marcus Williams; RBs Alfred Blue, Andre Ellington and Jordan Todman; OTs Chris Clark and Breno Giacomini; Ss Marcus Gilchrist and Eddie Pleasant; G Xavier Su'a-Filo; QBs Tom Savage, Josh Johnson and T.J. Yates; OLB Jelani Jenkins; WR Bruce Ellington.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: ILBs Ben Heeney and Brian Peters; DE Angelo Blackson; WR Cobi Hamilton; C Greg Mancz.
NEEDS: Texans look to have finally found franchise quarterback in Deshaun Watson. Now they need to upgrade offensive line to keep him protected when he returns from knee injury this season. They'll likely let Clark and Su'a-Filo go in attempt to improve with better talent for Watson to play behind. They'll also decide on Savage or Yates to back up Watson, or if they want to look elsewhere after both players struggled with Watson injured. Texans could also be in market for cornerback if they choose not to re-sign 12-year veteran Joseph.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $67.5 million.
FREE AGENCY TRACKER:
- Report: C.J. Fiedorowicz reworks contract, lowers base salary
- Johnathan Joseph returns to Texans
- Texans re-sign Bruce Ellington to 1-year deal
- Texans sign guard Senio Kelemete
- Texans make it official by signing first 3 free agents
- Texans will sign ex-Chiefs OL Zach Fulton
- Report: Texans will sign Seantrel Henderson to 1-year deal
- ANALYSIS: What will Seantrel Henderson bring to the Texans?
- Report: Texans will sign CB Aaron Colvin to 4-year deal
- ANALYSIS: Breaking down what Texans are getting in Aaron Colvin
MORE FREE AGENCY HEADLINES:
OTHER NOTABLE SIGNINGS:
With players and teams agreeing to deals, stick here for the latest news and analysis on all the notable moves.
The move: RB Carlos Hyde is headed to Cleveland on a three-year deal, reportedly worth $15 million.
Analysis: The former 49er becomes the Browns' lead back (for now), joining QB Tyrod Taylor in a new-look backfield. However both players could be bridge and/or backup options if GM John Dorsey is able to get Saquon Barkley and/or a rookie quarterback with his pair of top-five draft selections. - Nate Davis
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The move: D.J. Hayden will become Jacksonville's new nickel corner.
Analysis: Despite a disappointing career riddled with injuries, the former Raiders first rounder nets a reported $21 million over three years to bolster what's probably the best secondary in the NFL. He becomes the Jags' new No. 3 corner behind stars Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. The rich get richer. - Nate Davis
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The move: QB Chase Daniel is leaving New Orleans for Chicago.
Analysis: The journeyman backup will sit behind Mitchell Trubisky for the next two years as a much more affordable insurance policy than Mike Glennon, who will officially be released Wednesday. - Nate Davis
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The move: LB Avery Williamson has agreed to a three-year deal with the Jets, reportedly worth $22.5 million.
Analysis: New York needed help at just about every level of the depth chart. Williamson, a steady and durable piece of the Tennessee defense the past four seasons, likely supplants Demario Davis for the Jets. - Nate Davis
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The move: The New York Jets are adding QB Teddy Bridgewater on a one-year deal after bringing back QB Josh McCown.
Analysis: As the QB dominoes fell on Tuesday, Gang Green found itself resorting to a backup plan. Bridgewater could pay huge dividends if he is healthy and returns to his pre-injury form, but New York remains very much up in the air at quarterback. The Jets should be squarely in the market to draft a passer, but they might have to move up from No. 6 to leapfrog the Broncos and avoid being jumped by the Bills and/or Cardinals. - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
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The move: The Green Bay Packers are bringing on former New York Jets DE Muhammad Wilkerson.
Analysis: Reuniting with former Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, who is now serving in the same role in Green Bay, could be what Wilkerson needs to get his career back on track. The Packers have a grim outlook in the secondary, so they'll need all the pass rushing help they can get. - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
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The move: The New York Jets are signing former Los Angeles Rams CB Trumaine Johnson and former Cleveland Browns RB Isaiah Crowell, according to multiple reports.
Analysis: With the most cap space of any team, the Jets took longer than some might have thought to make a splash. Johnson gives the team the No. 1 corner it desperately needed, though at a high price of an expected $15 million per year. He should fit nicely into Todd Bowles' scheme and add another asset alongside S Jamal Adams. Crowell is a nice addition after he showed promise at times in Cleveland, but it's hard to see how he'll carve out a role behind Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire. - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
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The move: Former New England Patriots CB Malcolm Butler is joining the Tennessee Titans on a five-year, $61.25 million deal.
Analysis: If you can't beat 'em ... take their players? Tennessee was shredded by New England in the divisional round and ranked 25th against the pass, so it once again is looking to the AFC champions to boost its secondary after taking Logan Ryan last year. Butler's payout is exorbitant with $30 million guaranteed, but he should have an edge after his Super Bowl benching. - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
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The move: Former Arizona Cardinals WR John "Smokey" Brown will sign with the Baltimore Ravens, according to ESPN.
Analysis: We see Smoke, but we're not so sure there's fire. Brown can step in for Mike Wallace as a downfield threat, but he had just 28 catches last season and can't be counted on to lift a struggling receiving corps on his own. Baltimore will definitely be in the market for more targets for Joe Flacco. - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
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The move: Former Indianapolis Colts WR Donte Moncrief is expected to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to ESPN.
Analysis: Jacksonville saw Allen Robinson walk, and Moncrief won't bring the same consistency or highs. But there's still plenty of upside in this signing, especially if he can get past the injury issues that have limited him the last two years. In a receiving corps looking for a breakout player, he could find opportunities. - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
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The move: Former Carolina Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart is expected to sign with the New York Giants, according to ESPN.
Analysis: Stewart will be reunited with a couple former key Carolina figures in offensive coordinator Mike Shula and general manager Dave Gettleman. Stewart is a reliable runner but averaged just 3.4 yards per carry last season and turns 31 later in March. His addition hardly rules drafting Penn State RB Saquon Barkley if the option is available with the No. 2 overall pick. - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
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The move: The Green Bay Packers are signing TE Jimmy Graham and releasing WR Jordy Nelson.
Analysis: Aaron Rodgers might be doing flips about landing Graham. The tight end hauled in 10 touchdown catches last year and should be a major red-zone weapon even if he can't recapture his early-career form. Nelson, however, was perhaps Rodgers' favorite target. Though he turns 33 in May, he could be an intriguing addition for a team looking for a reliable veteran target.
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The move: Former New England Patriots WR Danny Amendola is expected to sign with the Miami Dolphins, according to NFL Network's Dan Hellie.
Analysis: The reverse Wes Welker? Eleven years after the Patriots snagged the future star slot man from their division rival, the Dolphins are hoping to get some payback by landing the man who was supposed to replace Welker in New England. Amendola emerged as a postseason star for the Patriots, but his fit in Miami is curious given the addition of Albert Wilson and return of DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills. New England, meanwhile, now needs a healthy Julian Edelman in 2018 more than ever. - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
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The move: Former Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Bradford is expected to sign a one-year deal worth $20 million with $15 million guaranteed.
Analysis: Arizona is likely going to need a fallback plan, as Bradford played in just two games last year with a knee ailment that coach Mike Zimmer described to NFL Network as "degenerative." If he is healthy, he could be a serviceable bridge starter. But general manager Steve Keim and first-year coach Steve Wilks need to invest in a young quarterback via the draft. - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
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The move: Former Seattle Seahawks WR Paul Richardson agrees to a five-year, $40 million deal with the Redskins, per multiple reports.
Analysis: Jay Gruden gets a vertical threat to help fill the DeSean Jackson role in his offense. Washington needed some kind of shift in its receiving corps after Terrelle Pryor fell flat as a free-agent addition and Josh Doctson didn't quite take off as hoped. Richardson is an ascending talent, but this is a rich contract for a player who has 95 catches in four years. - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
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The move: Former Philadelphia Eagles TE Trey Burton agrees to a four-year, $32 million deal with the Chicago Bears, per multiple reports.
Analysis: GM Ryan Pace is intent to lift the league's worst passing attack, and he's off to a good start. WR Allen Robinson was the real prize, but Burton could thrive in Matt Nagy's attack, which has proven to provide plenty of opportunities for TEs. Burton will have to establish a connection with second-year QB Mitchell Trubisky and compete with Adam Shaheen for playing time, but his potential is high. - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
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The move: Former Detroit Lions DT Haloti Ngata agrees to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen.
Analysis: As if the defending champions' line wasn't scary enough, how about adding a 335-pound five-time Pro Bowl selection? Ngata is 34, but he can be used in limited capacity behind Fletcher Cox and Tim Jernigan, with newly acquired defensive end Michael Bennett also occasionally crashing in on the inside. - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
