Time to test out this thread feature here on Cap & Trade substack. Feel free to ask questions below and I will do my best to answer them this week. This will be in place of our weekly Cap & Trade Twitter Spaces/Podcast.
Topic: Houston Texans Offseason Q&A
Bring fourth the questions!
Please refrain from language and targeting other folks inappropriately.
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Hi James! I'm 50/50 on the Tunsil situation at the moment. I lean towards trading him for a 2nd/day 3 pick or 2023 1st (my guess on value). Reason is by the time the team is relevant again, Tunsil will be due for another top of the market contract. I think having Tytus Howard on the roster makes the move a bit easier to swallow.
Hi Blake. I understand the sentiment on trading vets for a team still in rebuild. I have not heard anything on Cooks potentially being a trade asset. Now I will preface that with I fully believe that Nick Caserio will trade anyone on this roster who was not a 2021 draft pick.
Hi Troy, how feasible would you think it is that we sign Justin Jackson RB from Chargers, who ran over 100 yds on us towards the end of the season, and then pair him up with a late round pick like Zaquandre White or Max Borghi?
Hi Eduardo. I've been in the camp of just draft some young RB's and avoid free agents. Jackson is 26 years old but was not heavily used by LAC in his first 4 years. Jackson has missed 9 games in past two seasons due to lower leg type injuries, so that is a red flag for me. Jackson's market should be relatively minimal...1 year $1.5m with some incentives to push towards $2m. As for late round draft picks...anyone young RB with juice is good enough for me at this point.
Hi Arthur, if the cases are not settled in the next few months that should be a concern. Watson's salary swells dramatically to $35 million this year. Not sure the team wants to cut that $1.94 million weekly pay check for Watson to sit at home again. Depositions for Watson himself start next week (Feb 22). Things may start to move quickly towards settlements with that date approaching.
Hi Troy, I might be alone on this, but any possibility we resign Chris Moore, i think he played fairly well and is a low risk option? also Danny Amendola played terrific especially towards the end of the season, now i know he is not young but prove to have a good chemistry with Mills, also with a low risk and low salary who could be a mentor as well.
I think Chris Moore would be a good depth/training camp competition resign. He would have difficulty making the 53 man roster but would provide some leadership for any new young WR's that are brought into camp. Amendola's continued injury issues is a concern for me. I think it is time to move on from Amendola.
If had to stay at #3 it would be Kyle Hamilton. If Tunsil is traded and pick #3 I’d strongly consider one of the offensive tackles.
As for Watson, I think his attorney would like him to settle. I think Watson wants to try to get his side of the story out. Watson has some 12-15 hours worth of deposition questions ahead of him. Maybe after one session he will change his mind. I agree that he probably (or should) want to avoid this.
Hey TC- Hope you feel well. What positions should Texans target in FA and which one in draft? E.g. safety and iOL in FA but also in draft, wideout in FA, pass rush in draft
Yo! I'm on the tail end of this junk. Texans could literally target every position in free agency and the draft. Depending how much FA money the team wants to spend. The FA class looks strong at offensive guard and tight end from top to bottom. There is a decent veteran group at interior defense. I think those three position groups, teams can find some value.
As for the draft...yes to anything and everything. Edge rusher, Offensive line, Safety, Wide Receiver, and definitely need some young RB's.
Would you trade tunsil for possibly a late first or stick with the known of having a top tackle rather than hoping to replace him with a pick?
Hi James! I'm 50/50 on the Tunsil situation at the moment. I lean towards trading him for a 2nd/day 3 pick or 2023 1st (my guess on value). Reason is by the time the team is relevant again, Tunsil will be due for another top of the market contract. I think having Tytus Howard on the roster makes the move a bit easier to swallow.
Hey Troy, there’s been a lot of talk about trading Deshaun and Tunsil. Could Cooks also be traded?
Hi Blake. I understand the sentiment on trading vets for a team still in rebuild. I have not heard anything on Cooks potentially being a trade asset. Now I will preface that with I fully believe that Nick Caserio will trade anyone on this roster who was not a 2021 draft pick.
Hi Troy, how feasible would you think it is that we sign Justin Jackson RB from Chargers, who ran over 100 yds on us towards the end of the season, and then pair him up with a late round pick like Zaquandre White or Max Borghi?
Hi Eduardo. I've been in the camp of just draft some young RB's and avoid free agents. Jackson is 26 years old but was not heavily used by LAC in his first 4 years. Jackson has missed 9 games in past two seasons due to lower leg type injuries, so that is a red flag for me. Jackson's market should be relatively minimal...1 year $1.5m with some incentives to push towards $2m. As for late round draft picks...anyone young RB with juice is good enough for me at this point.
Any worry that the Watson trade market shrinks and the Texans will have to settle with something less than 3 1st?
Hi Arthur, if the cases are not settled in the next few months that should be a concern. Watson's salary swells dramatically to $35 million this year. Not sure the team wants to cut that $1.94 million weekly pay check for Watson to sit at home again. Depositions for Watson himself start next week (Feb 22). Things may start to move quickly towards settlements with that date approaching.
Hi Troy, I might be alone on this, but any possibility we resign Chris Moore, i think he played fairly well and is a low risk option? also Danny Amendola played terrific especially towards the end of the season, now i know he is not young but prove to have a good chemistry with Mills, also with a low risk and low salary who could be a mentor as well.
I think Chris Moore would be a good depth/training camp competition resign. He would have difficulty making the 53 man roster but would provide some leadership for any new young WR's that are brought into camp. Amendola's continued injury issues is a concern for me. I think it is time to move on from Amendola.
Hope you’re doing well, king.
Couple questions:
1. Who do you hope the Texans draft with the third overall pick if that player is still there for the taking?
2. Chances Deshaun Watson settles before his deposition next week? I imagine he wants to avoid that.
Hi Sean,
If had to stay at #3 it would be Kyle Hamilton. If Tunsil is traded and pick #3 I’d strongly consider one of the offensive tackles.
As for Watson, I think his attorney would like him to settle. I think Watson wants to try to get his side of the story out. Watson has some 12-15 hours worth of deposition questions ahead of him. Maybe after one session he will change his mind. I agree that he probably (or should) want to avoid this.
Hey TC- Hope you feel well. What positions should Texans target in FA and which one in draft? E.g. safety and iOL in FA but also in draft, wideout in FA, pass rush in draft
Yo! I'm on the tail end of this junk. Texans could literally target every position in free agency and the draft. Depending how much FA money the team wants to spend. The FA class looks strong at offensive guard and tight end from top to bottom. There is a decent veteran group at interior defense. I think those three position groups, teams can find some value.
As for the draft...yes to anything and everything. Edge rusher, Offensive line, Safety, Wide Receiver, and definitely need some young RB's.