Remaining Free Agents The Houston Texans Should Target

Randy Gurzi

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos free safety Rahim Moore (26) in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The first week of NFL free agency has been fast paced, but is quickly coming to an end. Most of the big name players have already left the open market, but there are still plenty of valuable players out there for interested teams.

Michael Crabtree, Wide Receiver, 27 Years Old

Michael Crabtree has been an up and down receiver in his career with the San Fransisco 49ers. He was not a breakout player out of the gates, catching only 48 passes and two touchdowns his rookie year. Those numbers are not what the 49ers expected after making him the number ten overall selection out of Texas Tech in the 2009 draft.

In 2o12 Crabtree finally started to blossom, around the same time the team put Colin Kaepernick in at quarterback and sat Alex Smith. Crabtree finished with 85 receptions for 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns. An Achilles tear in 2013 cost him most of the year and he never seemed fully healthy in 2014.

So far there hasn’t been a whole lot of interest in the veteran receiver. In Houston he could possibly be a solid number two receiver alongside top wideout DeAndre Hopkins, allowing the team to draft for the best player available rather than reaching for a receiver out of need.

Next: A Center In His Prime

December 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders center Stefen Wisniewski (61) prepares to snap the football line up next to tackle Khalif Barnes (69) and guard Austin Howard (77) during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Bills 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Stefen Wisniewski, Center, 25 Years Old

Center Stefen Wisniewski was picked in round two of the 2011 draft by the Oakland Raiders and has been a starter since his rookie year. He has shown versatility as he has played both guard and center.

Wisniewski has a strong NFL lineage as his father Leo Wisniewski was a defensive tackle for the Colts and his uncle Steve Wisniewski was a pro bowl guard for the Raiders.

For some reason Oakland seems content with letting the young man leave as he is just entering his prime. The Texans have a big need after cutting veteran center Chris Myers before free agency started.

However, there is some interest from other teams in the offensive lineman, so if Houston is interested they may end up in a bidding war.

Next: An Upgrade At Tight End

Dec 22, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (21) tackles Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham (84) in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Jermaine Gresham, Tight End, 26 Years Old

Tight End Jermaine Gresham was the 21st overall pick in 2011. In his career he has 280 reception for 2,722 yards and 24 touchdowns.

While the former Oklahoma Sooner is not much of a downfield threat (7.4 yards per reception in 2014), he is a large target at 6’5″ and 260 pounds. A player that size in the middle of the field would be an excellent weapon for either Mallett or Hoyer.

Gresham became expendable for Cincinnati when they drafted another tight end, Tyler Eifert from Notre Dame, in the first round of the 2013 draft. The tight end would be an instant upgrade for the Houston Texans at one of their weakest overall positions.

Next: A Pass Rusher Moving Back To The 3-4

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Anthony Spencer (93) rushes the passer against Detroit Lions tackle Cornelius Lucas (77) in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Dallas beat Detroit 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Spencer, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, 31 Years Old

I will admit, I am biased when it comes to defensive end Anthony Spencer. I have always liked the way he plays and believed he was capable of better numbers than he has usually put up in his career.

He earned the nickname “Almost Anthony” early on in his career. He seemed to always be just a step away from making the big play. I always believed this meant he was doing his job, just not catching the breaks.

That changed in 2012 when Spencer recorded 95 tackles and 11 sacks. In 2013 he was supposed to make an even bigger impact after converting from a linebacker to a defensive end in the 4-3 scheme. Unfortunately a knee injury ended his hopes of doing that and he managed to only play one game and record two tackles for the year.

In 2014 he took a long time to return from microfracture knee surgery, as was expected. A slowed down Spencer played in 13 games as a rotational pass rusher. He recorded 22 tackles and only a half a sack. He did seem to regain some of his form near season’s end, and even had a sack in the Cowboy’s playoff victory over the Detroit Lions.

Now a full season removed from surgery, and on the wrong side of 30, Spencer looks as though he needs a new team. Coming back to a team with a 3-4 defense and playing his more familiar outside linebacker spot could be just what the Texans need.

It may also be a good thing for the team to have a guy who recovered from the dreaded knee operation to help mentor last years first overall pick, linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, who just endured the same surgery.

These are just a few of the many options still available that I believe could help the team out. Feel free to use the comment section below to let us know if there are any players you, the Texans fans, want to see come to Houston.

Next: Texans, Rahim Moore Agree To Deal

Randy Gurzi

Randy Gurzi joined Fansided in 2014 and is an Arizona State Alumnus, with a major in Film and Media Studies. He's covered multiple NFL teams including the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and Atlanta Falcons.