Houston Texans offseason: Potential cap casualties

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Oct 8, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans nose tackle Vince Wilfork (75) prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Vince Wilfork, Nose Tackle, 34-years old

Another player that started all 16-games for the defense but is also on the wrong side of 30 is nose tackle Vince Wilfork. Their prized free agent from the New England Patriots was a non-factor in 2015 as he notched just six solo tackles and 16 assists all season long while chewing up close to $5 million of the cap.

Now as 2016 approaches, the team may decide to find a younger replacement that won’t take up so much of the team’s funds. Of course, for Houston finding that young player would be vital to letting go of Wilfork as there are no other true nose tackles on the roster right now.

However, the amount of money Wilfork makes is hard to justify, even with head coach Bill O’Brien’s obsession with every player that leaves the Patriots.

Letting Wilfork go could cause a cap hit in the range of $1.5 million but could also save the team $4 million against the cap which could be a huge plus.

Next: A face of the franchise again?