The Houston Texans really spent a bit of money last offseason. I vividly remember Texans fans and media asking if general manager Nick Caserio was going to do anything because nothing was happening right away in free agency, and then, boom, he started going on a rampage. Caserio started spending money left and right, whether it be on Danielle Hunter or trading for Joe Mixon and signing him to a deal. Or even the deal he ended up restructuring for Stefon Diggs.
The point is, this team makes moves during the offseason. But, they have something standing in their way this offseason that will make it a bit harder to do that. After last offseason, and the offseason before that, the Texans are entering the 2025 offseason with a projected $7 million-ish in available cap space to use. Now, that can change quite a bit depending on some of the restructures they do along with other moves like cuts.
However, they still won't be left with a ton of money to use even after they exhaust everything they can. But their best option is undoubtedly to cut some players, and that means parting ways with players who served them well last year.
Texans' potential cut candidate
Pro Football Focus put out a piece where they gave a likely cut candidate that would be good for the rest of the league, and the Texans defensive tackle Denico Autry showed up on the list.
EDGE Denico Autry, Houston Texans
Houston’s group of edge rushers finished the year third in overall PFF grade and fourth in pass-rushing grade, primarily fueled by Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. Autry did play a role, but his 65.2 PFF pass-rushing grade was the worst among Houston’s primary four edge defenders. On top of that, Autry closed the year with a sub-55.0 grade in both run defense and tackling. Autry is set to count for over $10 million against the cap this year, but that price feels far too rich for a rotational edge piece. Moving on in favor of a cheaper depth player would net Houston roughly $5.8 million — money that would certainly alleviate limited cap room.
Autry's stats won't pop out at you in any crazy way, but he was largely the fourth-best defensive lineman on the Texans last season, and that's after the incredible seasons Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson had. He made plays that won't show up in the stat sheet, and the ones that did are pretty good like his one turnover caused due to pressure on the pocket, which is third most behind Hunter and Derek Barnett.
Autry was key in the Texans' defense last year, especially their defensive line being as good as it was. So, that would certainly put the front office in a pretzel trying to figure out if they should let him walk or not. On the one hand, he was so good last year and a big reason the Texans were so good.
On the other hand, this draft class is deep at defensive tackle and edge, especially with some good three techniques. They could easily get his replacement for much cheaper. But if they do cut him, another team will instantly pick him up. Let's say it's the Tennessee Titans or Jacksonville Jaguars, a team that could use some DL depth, would the Texans really want to play against Autry twice a year?
There are certainly some decisions to be made.
