Houston Texans: 10 players who could be gone in 2016

Nov 22, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans nose tackle Vince Wilfork (75) on the sideline during the game against the New York Jets at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Vince Wilfork, Defensive Tackle

The New England Patriots rarely let players leave if they can still offer anything on the field. Once again, they let someone walk out at the exact right time, and another franchise paid the price.

The Houston Texans nabbed one of the “prized” free agents this offseason by luring defensive tackle Vince Wilfork to Houston. Just like it did with Ryan Mallett, the O’Brien love affair with the Patriots bit the Texans bad.

Houston gave the massive tackle a two-year deal worth $9 million, more than half of which was guaranteed. Their return on that investment has been minimal, to put it mildly.

How bad has this signing been? If Wilfork wasn’t the size of a small country, no one would know he was even on the field. After a dozen games lining up in the middle of the Texans defensive line, the veteran has a total of 14 tackles. He has zero sacks, zero passes defended, zero fumbles forced and zero impact on the field.

Positive feelings were running wild when Vince was brought in. He was supposed to be a run stuffer who helped free things up for J.J. Watt and the playmakers around him. Instead, he became a class clown on ‘Hard Knocks’ and then faded into oblivion…quickly.

Wilfork needs to be cut, and shouldn’t be on the roster next year.

Next: A possible second big name lost in as many seasons