Power shopping
As free agency starts, Gaine seeks players to fill areas of need
Plenty of room under the NFL salary cap has new Texans GM in a position to go after free agents.
Texans have about $66 million to spend on free agents in order to fill holes on offensive line and elsewhere
Under first-year general manager Brian Gaine, the Texans are expected to be active in free agency when the frenzy begins this week.
The new league year begins at 3 p.m. Wednesday, and teams can immediately begin signing free agents from other teams.
On Monday, teams can begin negotiations with agents who represent players who’ll become unrestricted, but they’re not allowed to reach agreements — wink, wink.
The Texans are about $66 million under the salary cap as Gaine prepares to use free agency to solve problems on both sides of the ball.
Gaine worked under former general manager Rick Smith during the last four free-agent periods and drafts. Now he’s in charge of the personnel department for the first time.
Gaine will work closely with coach Bill O’Brien, and what they’re able to accomplish in free agency will have a lot to do with players they select in the draft.
“We feel like we have a good core in place,” Gaine said. “We certainly have needs like every other NFL team does, and we’ll address those needs either through free agency or the draft.”
As the Texans pursue players, keep in mind that free agents who did well with other teams might not fit what their position coaches want, and players who didn’t do well with other teams might be a good scheme fit with the Texans.
The biggest needs are the offensive line and secondary, specifically tackle and cornerback.
The Texans also need a tight end, safety, guard, speed rusher, third-down running back, a wide receiver who can stay healthy, a backup quarterback and depth in the defensive line and at linebacker.
“(When) we have the opportunity to upgrade the roster, we’ll do that,” Gaine said. “Free agency, the draft, trades, waiver claims, tryouts, workouts — we’re going to try to improve the roster from spot No. 1 all the way to spot No. 90.”
Tackle could be expensive
The Texans’ biggest need is at left tackle. They have to do everything possible to protect second-year quarterback Deshaun Watson, who’s coming off season-ending surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
It’s a weak free-agent market for tackles. Nate Solder, who has protected Tom Brady’s blind side for New England, is the most attractive player available, and a team like the Texans will have to overpay to get him.
Solder is worth overpaying because the Texans have a desperate need at his position. They were forced to start five left tackles last season because of Duane Brown’s holdout and trade, injuries and ineptness.
They may re-sign left guard Xavier Su’a-Filo. They could have three new starters in the line, possibly even four. The best guard is Carolina’s Andrew Norwell, who’s expected to sign the largest contract in history for a player at his position.
Whatever moves Gaines makes in the line, they have to develop continuity and communication.
“That’s very important,” Gaine said. “I think any offensive line coach or offensive coordinator would tell you that’s a critical part to building an offensive line.
“That’s something that we’re working to address in-house and externally as it relates to options either through free agency and/or the draft. Outside of the physical part, the communication part of working together as a unit is critically important to the success of the group.”
At cornerback, the Texans’ second-most pressing need, there will be talent and depth when free agency begins. Gaine is expected to spend a lot of money to bring in an experienced corner who fits defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel’s system.
The top two corners are the Patriots’ Malcolm Butler and the Rams’ Trumaine Johnson.
Close behind Butler and Johnson are Buffalo’s E.J. Gaines and Jacksonville’s Aaron Colvin, among others.
The Texans also could be interested in cornerbacks like Washington’s Bashaud Breeland or Oakland’s T.J. Carrie.
Keep in mind that when it comes to cornerbacks and safeties, the Texans are looking to improve their speed as well as their talent. Because cornerback is such a premium position, they’ll have to pay dearly to get one they want.
Tight end, backup QB on list
When it comes to a tight end, the Texans have to be prepared for C.J. Fiedorowicz to retire after suffering three concussions in two years and being on injured reserve twice last season.
It makes sense they’ll need to find a tight end who can block rather than a tight end who lines up in the slot and is primarily a receiver. There aren’t many, if any, legit candidates who can fill the Texans’ need.
It’s going to be interesting to see what Gaine does at backup quarterback. One promising target — Ryan Fitzpatrick, who had experience in O’Brien’s offense and would be a mentor to Watson — is off the board after signing to return with Tampa Bay.
Gaine is certainly familiar with Miami’s Matt Moore. Gaine spent six seasons (2008-13) with the Dolphins and saw Moore on an everyday basis.
Defensively, expect the Texans to add a safety in free agency, but it’s not as big a priority at cornerback. The best safeties are San Francisco’s Eric Reid, the Los Angeles Chargers’ Tre Boston and Green Bay’s Morgan Burnett.
Since Gaine has spent his career working behind the scenes, he doesn’t have a track record of calling the shots, but he’s about to start one Wednesday afternoon.