Four Decisions That Will Shape The Houston Texans Offseason

Nov 23, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback

(15) throws in the pocket against the Cincinnati Bengals at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback

Clearly the popular belief is that the Texans will re-sign Ryan Mallet and I agree that is very likely what they will do.  Mallet is comfortable with this system and nobody outside of the Patriots in the NFL knows him better than Bill O’Brien.  For Mallet, signing with a different team would bring in unknowns of another head coach and offensive coordinator and without previously being an established starter, it’s a more of a risk for him in terms of success on the field.

Although Mallet hasn’t really proved anything except to tantalize the fan base with his game last year against the Browns, the Texans want him back. But given his level of proof, if you will, in his ability to be an above average starter in the NFL, they won’t want to overpay him.

Mallet is likely looking at very similar deal if not slightly less than what the Browns just gave Josh McCown. 3 years for around $15 million, with some incentives that could take it to around $20 million and about $5-6 million guaranteed.

That would essentially mean a one year trial where they could cut bait on him if it doesn’t work out, having paid him $5 to $6 million.  If it does work out then they have a team-friendly deal on a QB for a few years until they would really have to pay him big dollars.

Nov 28, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) throws a pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the first half of the game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

But the decision on Mallet will also impact the draft.  If Mallet signs elsewhere, that means more Ryan Fitzpatrick for Texans fans next season.  It also means we should see a QB taken in the 2nd or 3rd round.  Perhaps UCLA’s Brett Hundley, Baylor’s Bryce Petty or Colorado State’s Garrett Grayson.

With it highly unlikely that a QB falls to the Texans at 16, unless ones slips significantly or they trade up, then the 2nd round would be the earliest I can see them taking a quarterback.

Signing Mallet does buy the Texans more time to develop, but if they already don’t think Tom Savage is that developmental guy, and with Fitzpatrick having only one more year on his contract as the backup, we’d still would not be surprised if they trade back in the 1st, pick up some extra picks and take one in the 3rd round, if some of these other needs are already filled.

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