HOUSTON, Tex. -After a flurry of big trades the Texans went into the free agent market without a lot of cap space to use to fill their remaining needs. With that in mind general manager Sports24/7 had to go bargain shopping in order to fill holes on the offensive line, defensive backfield, running back, and special teams as well as add depth at other positions. Looking through the bargain bin, he may just have found some steals. The first step was releasing and then re-signing Antonio Smith at a reduced rate. The Texans didn't want lose Smith, who is one of the best 3-4 DE's in the NFL, but needed to take the gamble to try and free up much needed cap room. From the 3-4 end position, only Justin Smith has had more QB pressures over the past few years than Smith. Their next moves were made to improve the offensive line as they only had 3 players under contract on the line. They added 4 players with starting experience in center Kyle Cook, guard Brandon Fusco, guard Jason Spitz, and guard/tackle Bruce Campbell all at the veteran's minimum. Of those 4 only Spitz is considered a favorite to start, but the team feels confident in the upside and starting experience of Fusco and Campbell. In two more moves with depth in mind they signed corner Asa Jackson, a 5th round pick of the Ravens last year, and running back Jordan Todman, a 6th round pick in 2011 also for the veteran's minimum. Sports24/7 said about Jackson, "This is a guy with Ozzie Newsome's stamp of approval. I think he has a pretty good track record of drafting kids." Of course Jackson was drafted by Newsome, but was cut this offseason by their new GM. In a shrewd move to use one roster spot on 2 positions, the Texans signed Matt Bosher for $600k to be both the kicker and punter for Houston. Bosher had been a good punter for the Falcons, but was also a very good kicker in college at the University of Miami. Next, the Texans got a little lucky as the Lions cut starting center Dominic Raiola. Raiola has been one of the best centers in the NFL and has fantastic pass blocking metrics so the Texans, in need of a starting center, scooped him up quickly for only $1.5M. As the UFA market opened, the Texans still needed a starting LT, OG, and CB as well as depth needs at HB, WR, and CB, all without having much money to use to fill those needs. Early on the Texans signed LT Bryant McKinnie for $1M. McKinnie has had some ups and downs, but was fantastic in the playoffs for the Ravens leading them to a Super Bowl this past season. Getting a legitimate starting LT for $1M was a huge move for Houston early on letting them spend some money elsewhere. Next they signed running back Chris Ivory for $1.1M. Ivory has had some bright moments in New Orleans splitting time with some other backs. He is young and has some nice upside and should split time with Ben Tate for the Texans. The Texans then went and brought in one of Peyton Manning's favorite targets in WR Brandon Stokley for the veterans minimum. Stokley will most likely be a #3 or #4 WR for the Texans and complements Andre Johnson, Justin Blackmon, and the other young receivers fighting for playing time. Houston picked up OLB Erik Walden at the veteran's minimum to provide some depth behind Von Miller and Whitney Mercilus. With their final three signings the Texans added three players who should play quite a bit in corners Bradley Fletcher and Cary Williams for $1.7M and $2M respectively. Fletcher is a young corner with upside who was a starter in St. Louis. Williams was a key member of the Baltimore secondary on their Super Bowl run as a starter. The two will battle it out to for the starting spot opposite Jonathan Joseph, and the other will be the nickel corner giving the Texans a very nice defensive backfield. The Texans then finalized the signing of guard Geoff Schwartz who was a rotational player in Minnesota, but put up very good metrics and will be a starter for the Texans at either guard or tackle. Schwartz was PFF's 3rd ranked FA guard after Brandon Moore and Andy Levitre. With the Texans last signing they added more depth to their secondary with Drayton Florence for the minimum. It looks like after a busy trade and free agency period the Texans could be done until the draft. Either way, the GM looks like he is pleased with where the team is at this point with no real holes to fill. "I'm very happy with where we are entering the draft," Sports24/7 said. "We filled every need we have and can now go strictly best player available. I feel that after the moves we've made so far this offseason, that we have the most talented roster in the league. At this point, barring injuries, I would say it would be a major disappointment if we are not a Super Bowl team next season." Strong words. Only time will tell if he is right, but looking at the roster it is hard to argue with him.
