As NFL free agency kicks into high gear, let's take a step back and examine one of the more interesting teams in the league. The Houston Texans reached the post-season last year despite a revolving door at quarterback and running back Arian Foster missing the majority of the season due to injury. As things stand now, Brian Hoyer - who began the 2015 season as the starter - is not expected to hold the same title heading into next season. Foster, meanwhile, was jettisoned into free agency last week.
That leaves question marks at two of the most important positions in football for head coach Bill O'Brien. However, it's possible that the Texans could fill both holes in free agency.
Yesterday, it was reported that Houston had serious interest in Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller and Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler. This marks the first time since 2011, when general manager Rick Smith signed cornerback Jonathan Joseph and safety Danieal Manning, that Houston could be major players in free agency.
Smith and vice president of administration Chris Olsen have been locked in the early whirlwind of communication with player agents during the NFL's legal tampering period over the last few days. Free agency will officially open at 4 pm ET this afternoon.
At running back, the Texans were said to be eyeing Miller, Tampa Bay's Doug Martin and New York's Chris Ivory. Ivory has since signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars for a five-year deal that will average $6.5 million per year and Martin is expected to re-sign with the Bucs for a contract that averages $6.85 million per season. That leaves Miller, 24, who may provide the best value of the bunch.
Miller ran for 1,099 yards on a 5.1 YPC average while scoring eight touchdowns in 2014. Last season he ran for 872 yards on a 4.5 YPC average and again scored eight times. He has caught 85 passes for 672 yards and three touchdowns over the last two years. His speed would surely help a Houston running game that averaged just 3.7 YPC last year, the third-lowest average in the NFL.
Osweiler, meanwhile, remains a top target if he should choose to leave the Broncos in free agency. However, Denver appears intent on retaining the 2012 second-rounder. Osweiler went 5-2 as a starter last season and won't turn 26 until November. He completed 61.8 percent of his passes while throwing for 1,967 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions in eight game appearances in 2015.
The Broncos have reportedly offered him a three-year deal worth $39 million with bonuses that could reach as high as $45 million.
