Houston Texans: Potential moves that can open up more cap space
By Jair Lopez
Ryan Griffin – Tight End
The Texans haven’t gone much production from the tight end position in the past few seasons and this season wasn’t any different. Ryan Griffin was unable to pull himself apart from the recently drafted tight ends Jordan Thomas and Jordan Akins. Griffin played in 14 games in the regular season and had 24 receptions for 305 receiving yards.
Texans signed Griffin to a team friendly 3-year extension a couple of seasons back, and he can be waived this offseason with no dead money in the books. Waiving Griffin would open up an additional $2,687,500 in cap room for the Texans to pursue an upgrade at the tight end position or allocate those resources in extending the team’s upcoming free agents.
The offense is in need of a Y tight end similar to the role that former tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz occupied prior to his early retirement due to concussions. Texans attempted to use Griffin in that role, but he was unable to consistently move defenders off the line scrimmage and get to his blocks to create running lanes for the running backs. The Texans have younger more athletic tight ends in Akins and Thomas that they need to keep coaching and allow them to continue to develop within the offense moving forward.