Houston Texans are forced to be aggressive in free agency

The Houston Texans have no choice. They need to spend and spend big.

Without a first-round pick after trading for left tackle Laremy Tunsil, the Texans don’t have the luxury of snagging a top player in the 2020 NFL Draft. However, Houston does have a bevy of cap space, checking in with $52 million.

With cornerback Johnathan Joseph and nose tackle D.J. Reader hitting free agency, the Texans know their reality. They must address the defense early and often, while potentially finding a weapon for quarterback Deshaun Watson to utilize.

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Head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien needs to figure out the best way to use the resources he has. Looking at the roster, here are three potential fits with the upcoming free-agent class:

1. Byron Jones – CB

With Joseph leaving Houston, the Texans need both a replacement and upgrade. Jones certainly represents both, being one of the league’s best cornerbacks over the past two seasons. With the Dallas Cowboys mismanaging their situation and allowing him to test free agency, the Texans should take advantage and keep him in-state, signing Jones for what promises to be a record-setting deal for a corner.

The cost is high, but Houston has both the money and need to make a deal happen.

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2. Joe Thuney – G

The Texans have struggled to block for Watson over the years. With Tunsil and first-round pick Tytus Howard on the edges, it appears the tackle position is set. However, guard is anything but. Thuney is going to reset the market for his spot, but he’s worth the investment.

It’s not often a team is wise by going big at two different positions in the same offseason, but this is a unique scenario. Watson is due for a franchise-changing contract extension soon, and so why not put the best possible team around him before his cost explodes?

3. Anthony Harris – S

Finally, more help in the secondary. While it would be wonderful to grab another tight end to go with Darren Fells, it makes more sense to build on the back line. Harris is the best safety hitting the market with Justin Simmons getting the franchise tag from the Denver Broncos.

Harris would immediately upgrade the safety spot, which has been a weak spot since the team let both Tashaun Gipson and Tyrann Mathieu left before last year. O’Brien should seriously consider laying out a major offer to steal Harris from the Minnesota Vikings.