How will the remaining cap money be used?

After weeks of speculation that this could be the week the NFL reveals its 2024 schedule, it turns out the release won’t happen until next week.

The NFL reportedly sent a memo to teams saying it would reveal its schedule on May 15.

In the meantime, NFL rookie minicamps are underway. The Texans will lead theirs on Friday and Saturday. If you haven’t read my story on rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter and why the Texans took him at 42nd overall, check it out here.

Remember, this post goes out once a month in the off season, and if you ever have any questions, message me on X, formerly known as Twitter, or email me at jonathan. [email protected].

Let’s move on to your questions, which may be edited for brevity and clarity:

What needs do you think the Texans can address and address with free agents? Or are the Texans ready to head out for training camp? — Ed Helinksi via

JMA: The Texans look pretty deep at almost every position and are likely ready for training camp, barring an unexpected injury.

The only position I have questions about is defensive tackle, and those will likely linger through Week 1.

The projected starters are Tim Settle Jr. and Foley Fatukasi, who last season combined for four tackles for loss and a sack.

To me, that’s a significant drop-off from where the Texans were a season ago with Maliek Collins and Sheldon Rankins both now on different teams.

The good news is the Texans have more bodies at defensive tackle. Alongside Settle and Fatukasi, they bring back Kurt Hinish and Khalil Davis, who played a lot of snaps last season. They also drafted former Auburn defensive tackle Marcus Harris in the seventh round.

Denico Autry will also play some inside on obvious passes.

The bad news is they’re missing a game destroyer. And they probably won’t be able to find one in free agency, because all the obvious game destroyers have signed.

That’s not to say the Texans will be bad at defensive tackle. Perhaps new defensive line coach Rod Wright and assistant defensive line coach Nate Ollie will get the most out of their players.

But for me, this is a position that the Texans would have liked to improve.

ALSO WATCH: Why Texans Coach DeMeco Ryans Should Accept JJ Watt’s Offer To Suit Up Again

Who will start the season at Nickelback (assuming good health for all): Desmond King, Myles Bryant, Kamari Lassiter or “other”? — Chilcuttsdeep via

JMA: Obviously, neither I nor Coach DeMeco Ryans know the answer to this question until the players face each other in training camp. Ryans brought in Bryant and Lassiter to add competition at the position, which was a revolving door last season. Even Jimmie Ward played a few snaps at nickel.

If I had an idea of ​​how things will play out in Week 1, I’d say Lassiter becomes the starter at outside corner ahead of Jeff Okudah and CJ Henderson, while Bryant starts at nickel.

King was cut before training camp last year, then ended up starting late in the season and in the playoffs when the Texans brought him back. He’s a tackling machine.

But he also plays a difficult position. Bryant, who had success in New England, could take over.

The good news about Lassiter is that you can play him at nickel or outside cornerback, where he thrived at Georgia. He will therefore have multiple opportunities to find the right spot.

Do you see Andrew Beck and Brevin Jordan fighting for a spot on the team, given that both play the H-back role and only have one year left on their respective contracts? — Chilcuttsdeep via

JMA: Last season, the Texans used Jordan as a fullback when Beck was injured. I think both will be on the roster next season.

Beck is the main back. And Jordan, when healthy, is a versatile tight end. Even though he missed a lot of games, he was much more available than Teagan Quitoriano and can do several things.

Jordan had some big catches down the stretch, including his 76-yard touchdown reception in the playoff win over the Browns. I think he will end up being TE-3 and FB-2 next season.

As you mention, both have a lot to play for in a contract year. I would expect everyone to have their best season.

I know Tank Dell was shot in the leg and we were told it was minor, but I’m curious if there’s any relevant soft tissue damage or anything. — Khélar via X

Do you think Tank will be back before training camp? — AB via X

JMA: The problem with gunshot wounds is that you should never speculate. What I do know, after talking to team owner Cal McNair, coach DeMeco Ryans and others, is that Dell is expected to make a full recovery.

Dell was treated at a Florida hospital for his injury last month and then released.

“Tank is doing well,” Ryans said Monday.

The shooting will force Dell to undergo rehab to get back to where he was, said McNair, who added that he saw him at the Texans’ facilities.

When asked if he would miss any time, Ryans said, “Everything will be fine.”

Based on this, it doesn’t look like Dell is going to waste much time, if at all. Before the incident, everyone was talking about how fit he was after his leg injury.

What do the Texans plan to do with their remaining cap space? — Burner of the Week Jon via X

JMA: According to the NFLPA public salary cap database, the Texans have $24.4 million in salary cap space. That’s ninth in the NFL.

I estimate that about $10 million will be used to sign their draft picks, $10 million will be saved for possible in-season signings in case of injuries, and the remaining $4.4 million will be used to improve the list by September.

The Texans also have the option to potentially extend wide receiver Nico Collins, which would likely force them to look for ways to save money before then. Texans executive vice president and general manager Nick Caserio said during the meeting that he would likely begin discussions with Collins’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, in the spring after free agency.

Wide receivers got paid this offseason. Look at the average salaries given to Michael Pittman Jr. ($23.3 million), Devonta Smith ($25 million), Calvin Ridley ($23 million), Amon Ra St. Brown ($30 million) and AJ Brown ($32 million), all exceed $23 million. I would expect Collins to be in the range of $23-25.5 million per year if the Texans extend him this offseason.