Offseason Predictions: Proving Saquon could work and building a FA Class for any Draft Scenario

We have $61 million in cap space (rookie contracts accounted for) and more holes than we would like to think about. Nailing this offseason with the right draft picks and FA signings could set this team up for immediate contention and sustain success. I think we cut Robert Woods and MJ Stewart which would give the Texans about $8 million more in cap space. Using projections like PFF and spotrac, lets see what $69 million can get us.

Offense:

Saquon Barkley (2/$22), Adam Trautman (3/$10.5)

Defense:

Kendall Fuller (3/$40), Xavier McKinney (3/$27), DJ Reader (3/$45), Calais Campbell (1/$8), Frankie Luvu (3/$30)

The difficult thing about free agency is that most of the signings come weeks before the draft, and teams don't know how the draft board is going to fall. To make sure the Texans maximize this year's draft, they have to be smart about who they sign, so they can ultimately draft the best player available. At 23, there are a lot of options from WR, DL, EDGE, DB; all of which are positions of need.

Saquon Barkley needs no introduction and lets not sit here and say he wouldn't add an explosive dimension to this offense that would only help CJ and all the WRs. Saquon would also be an incredible way to allow CJ grow in his game now that DCs will have an entire offseason to figure out his weakness. By adding Saquon, we open up new looks that give our receivers better opportunities without having to spend over $20 million on a FA WR. That money next year can be used to keep Nico and CJ together.

Because there are so many open spots in the defense, Adam Trautman is the only other major offensive addition. He is a good run blocker with a knack in finding space in soft coverage. Him paired with a more developed Brevin Jordan. It makes for an impactful group that provide run blocking and athletic after the catch ability all done on fraction of other FA TE contracts.

Defense is where I would add the most help, but the name of the game is positional flexibility with high impact potential. Kendell Fuller and Xavier McKinney provide all of that in spades not only with their on field play but what that allows us to do in the draft. Having Xavier as the full time FS, Pitre can play his more natural position in SS. This also allows Ward to rotate around to play nickel or in the box while not having to play every down insuring he stays healthy. Kendall Fuller, a top 10 rated corner by pff in 2023, has a history of success outside, inside, and safety. Those 2 player alone make the first 3 rounds of the draft so much easier. If an outside corner falls to us at 23, the Texans can platoon the opposite side of Stingley with that rookie and Kendall, and downs where they want both on the field, Kendall can move around the secondary to find better mismatches.

In the trenches, DJ Reader comes home to be the main 1 tech. Calais Campbell can be used to stop the run and pass rush from the inside or edge. Calais is an enigma; at over 300lbs, he can line up as the 1, 3, or 5 tech giving the Texans the ultimate flexibility not only draft wise but in creating opportunities for WAJ to get to the QB. DJ is also not stuck at the nose. He can play 1 and 3 tech. Both those guys elevate the run stopping ability of the defense from the edge and interior. Hopefully, Dylan Horton comes back healthy and mix in Malik Collins and Kurt Hinish, the Texans are set up for draft success. We could go any way with 23, Sweat at the 1 tech, Byron Murphy II/ Jer'Zhan Newton as pass rushing 3 techs, Laiatu Latu/ Chop Robinson to pair with WAJ on the opposite side, or later round depth.

Lastly, Frankie Luvu who is probably the most off the wall idea. You could easily replace this pick with Bobby Wagner or Josey Jewell which would open up more cap to bring Blake Cashman. But I went with Luvu because I think this team could win it all next year, and to do that, you need great players not just good players. I am not a football expert and won't claim to be so I am just going to refer you to this article: https://texanswire.usatoday.com/2024/02/21/frankie-luvu-could-be-demeco-ryans-dream-linebacker/. I will just add that a great middle linebacker makes a great defense elite. You pair him with Christian Harris; the Texans might have the best LB duo that can do it all from stopping the run, defending the pass, and blitzing the QB.

It is too early to create a draft wish with the combine having yet to start, but this free agent class accounts for all kinds of draft scenarios. Think about your perfect draft class and tell me this wouldn't complement it perfectly.

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QB: CJ Stroud, Davis Mills, Case Keenum

RB: Saquon Barkley, Dameon Pierce, Draft Pick

WR: Nico Collins, Tank Dell, John Metchie, Xavier Hutchinson, Jesse Matthews, Draft Pick, Draft Pick

TE: Brevin Jordan, Adam Trautman, Teagan Quitoriano

IOL: Shaq Mason, Juice Scruggs, Kenyon Green, Jarrett Patterson, Kendrick Green, Nick Broeker

OT: Laremy Tunsil, Tytus Howard, Kilian Zierer, Draft Pick

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IDL: DJ Reader, Maliek Collins, Kurt Hinish, Draft Pick

EDGE: Will Anderson Jr., Calais Campbell, Dylan Horton, Myjai Sanders

LB: Frankie Luvu, Christian Harris, Henry To’oto’o, Jake Hansen, Draft Pick

CB: Derek Stingley, Kendall Fuller, Ka’dar Hollman, Draft Pick

S: Xavier McKinney, Jimmie Ward, Jalen Pitre, Brandon Hill, Draft Pick