Biggest free-agent targets include two from Patriots
Team makes push for left tackle Solder, cornerback Butler
As the NFL legal tampering period officially launched Monday, the Texans began an immediate, aggressive push to try to land several top free agents.
That includes making a serious run at New England left tackle Nate Solder and Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
One of the Texans’ biggest weak spots is the pivotal left tackle position. They’re trying to make a major move to upgrade a spot where they have no viable option currently on the roster.
However, Solder will be expensive even at age 29.
The Denver Broncos are also involved with the 6-8, 325-pound Colorado native. A potential return to the Patriots hasn’t been ruled out, but New England will have to get close to other offers to be competitive.
When Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins made a recruiting pitch to Butler on social media, he was onto something.
The Texans are trying to land the former Super Bowl hero, Pro Bowl selection and undrafted free agent.
Butler was controversially benched by Patriots coach Bill Belichick in the Super Bowl under mysterious circumstances. In the past, Butler was celebrated for his game-sealing interception in the Super Bowl of a pass from Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
With Texans coach Bill O’Brien’s connections to New England, he’ll surely have plenty of information about that situation and Butler’s personality and work habits.
The Texans are among several teams displaying strong interest in Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard-center Zach Fulton, according to league sources.
Fulton could command over $7 million per year.
Fulton is a versatile blocker who could step in at guard for the Texans next to center Nick Martin. Fulton is a 6-5, 316-pound former Chiefs sixth-round draft pick from Tennessee.
He started 12 of 15 games last season and has started 46 of 63 career games.
Gaines on radar
Meanwhile, Buffalo Bills free-agent cornerback E.J. Gaines is firmly on the Texans’ radar, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
The Texans also have a high grade on Los Angeles Rams freeagent corner Trumaine Johnson.
Texans general manager Brian Gaine worked last season for the Bills’ executive department.
Gaines is expected to have a strong market with multiple teams, including the Texans, interested in him. Gaines could cost roughly $9 million per year.
Gaines had a good season for the Bills after being acquired from the Los Angeles Rams in the Sammy Watkins trade.
A former sixth-round draft pick from Missouri, Gaines, 26, recorded 59 tackles, one interception, three forced fumbles and nine passes defended last season in 11 starts.
Gaines is 5-10 and 190 pounds and has a lot of pop as a tackler with sound coverage skills and is regarded as an ascending, high-character player in NFL circles.
Gaines has some durability issues in the past, missing the entire 2015 season with a Lisfranc injury and missing six and five games over the past two seasons, respectively.
The Texans haven’t ruled out bringing back veteran cornerback
Johnathan Joseph, a twotime Pro Bowl selection.
For veteran Texans offensive guard Xavier Su’a-Filo, free agency represents a time of uncertainty and possibilities.
After four years with the Texans, the former second-round draft pick’s four-year, $5.57 million contract that included a $2.357 million bonus has expired.
Su’a-Filo could stay
As an unrestricted free agent, the former UCLA all-conference lineman is hoping to have lots of good choices and potential suitors after starting 31 of the past 32 games over the past two seasons for the Texans.
One scenario that’s under consideration is Su’a-Filo staying with the Texans. The Texans feel like Su’a-Filo began to hit his stride as a blocker during the second half of last season as he upgraded his technique and played more aggressively.
The door isn’t closed to a potential return for Su’a-Filo, 27, but the Texans will ponder the merits of a guard market that includes expensive Carolina Panthers free agent Andrew Norwell, and Su’aFilo is expected to explore his options. Sources emphasized not to rule out Su’a-Filo being back with the Texans but cautioned that it’s a fluid situation.
“I would definitely be grateful to stay here,” Su’a-Filo said. “They drafted me. It’s a big decision that will affect my wife and my kids. Hopefully, it will be an opportunity to continue my career. I’m just a grateful guy.”