Sep 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Houston Texans punter Shane Lechler (9) completes a pass for a first down on a fake punt against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Shane Lechler, Punter
The Houston Texans have an excellent punter in Shane Lechler. The veteran is third all time in punting yards and he even has shown some passing ability in his career (he threw a touchdown pass in 2011 while with the Oakland Raiders).
However, Lechler may be a luxury the team simply can’t justify paying in 2016. With a cap number over $2 million in 2015, according to Over the Cap, it just doesn’t make much sense to bring back the soon-too-be 40-year old punter.
Sure, he is a weapon in terms of flipping field position, but if he is expecting anything close to the contract he is playing out now, he most likely will have to leave Houston to find it.
There are too many options out there the team can grab on the cheap that would be good enough to make the team feel comfortable moving on. That money can then be used to upgrade the team somewhere else that would make a bigger impact.
Next: A guard who can be replaced