Trading Watson top of the list
As the start of the new league year approaches at 3 p.m. Wednesday, general manager Nick Caserio is listening to offers for quarterback Deshaun Watson and trying to reduce the Texans’ list of free agents.
With the grand jury declining to file criminal charges against Watson, teams are lining up to express their interest to Caserio. When Watson is traded, the Texans will free up $24.2 million under the salary cap. Because of his no-trade clause, he can reject any team, so the Watson beat goes on.
Of the teams inquiring about Watson’s availability and what it would take to get him, Seattle, Carolina, New Orleans and Tampa Bay seem to be showing the strongest interest.
Meanwhile, Caserio and his staff are trying to re-sign a lot of their free agents. Of the six players who re-signed with the Texans last week, the most prominent were linebacker Christian Kirksey and wide receiver Chris Conley.
Caserio also signed free agent offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, who was available because he was released by Tennessee in December.
Starters who need to be resigned are defensive tackle Maliek Collins, outside linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill and cornerback Desmond King II. Releasing starting cornerback Terrance Mitchell could mean the Texans are trying to sign King to a new deal.
Everyone knows the Texans have a lot of needs during Phase 2 of their rebuilding program. They finished 4-13 last season and replaced coach David Culley with Lovie Smith, the defensive coordinator and associate head coach.
They’re not scaling back even more. How could they considering Caserio already has taken a bulldozer to his offense and defense. Only special teams didn’t get demolished in his first season as general manager.
Smith, who works closely with Caserio, is heavily involved in personnel decisions even though the general manager has the final say.
What the Texans would like to do in free agency is solve some of their problems before the draft begins April 28.
Let’s examine the offense first. Caserio, Smith and offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton like Davis Mills as their quarterback, so that position isn’t an issue this year. It could be next year, but that’ll be determined by Mills’ performance in his second season.
As a rookie, Mills had a 66.8 completion percentage, 2,664 yards, 16 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and an 88.8 rating. The Texans like what they saw over the last four games in which they were 2-2. Mills connected on 68.9 percent of his passes for 927 yards, eight touchdowns, two interceptions and a 106.1 rating.
If the Texans played Sunday, Mills’ top three receivers would be Brandin Cooks, Nico Collins and Conley.
What Mills needs the most to maximize his performance is a productive running game that can’t be ignored by the opposing defense. The Texans finished last in the NFL in rushing and had the worst running game in franchise history, so it has to be dramatically improved in free agency and the draft.
Caserio needs offensive linemen and running backs. What he does in the draft depends on what he’s able to do in free agency and with trades. Expect him to target both areas because Caserio knows how desperate the Texans are to enhance that part of the offense.
If Watson is traded to Carolina, part of the package would be the Panthers’ sixth overall pick in the first round. If he’s traded to Seattle, included in the deal would be the ninth overall pick the Seahawks acquired from Denver. That would give Caserio two of the first 10 picks.
No matter where Watson is traded, the Texans are expected to have multiple first-round picks that’ll give Caserio options.
Another need on offense is a tight end. Brevin Jordan, who’s going into his second season, is the only tight end under contract, and he’s more of an Hback. The Texans also need an on-line tight end who specializes in blocking and more depth.
If Watson is traded to Seattle, Caserio should demand tight end Noah Fant be part of the deal. Fant, a first-round pick in 2019, was traded to the Seahawks in the Russell Wilson blockbuster.
In his first year as the head coach, Smith will continue to call the defense, and he needs a lot of help at all three levels, beginning with end and safety.
Jonathan Greenard, who led the team with eight sacks in his second season, is set on one side. If they re-sign Collins, he’ll start next to Roy Lopez. That leaves a weak-side end, a veteran or a draft choice like Kayvon Thibodeaux or Travon Walker.
If the Texans re-sign safety Justin Reid, that would solve one problem. If he signs with another team, Caserio may use the third overall pick on safety Kyle Hamilton.
With Mitchell being waived, that leaves a hole for another veteran. One of the best things Caserio accomplished in his first season was signing free agent cornerbacks who produced, including King, Mitchell, Tavierre Thomas and Tremon Smith.
Caserio is expected to sign more cornerbacks in free agency because there’s depth among the veterans who’ll be available.
As for linebacker, Smith plays two most of the time. GrugierHill and Kirksey played well enough but missed time with injuries. The Texans will always be on the lookout for more talented linebackers, especially in free agency.
If Caserio doesn’t re-sign King, the Texans will need a new punt returner. They’ll have back punter Cam Johnston, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, Smith for kickoff returns and Jon Weeks, the league’s best snapper entering his 13th season.
One thing we know for sure about Caserio: He won’t be twiddling his thumbs. When free agency begins, expect him to be more active than any general manager in the NFL for the second consecutive year.