It once again is that time of year that NFL teams have to make some tough decisions regarding their rosters and the Houston Texans have started the process of assessing their player personnel for 2015. Hovering around a ballpark figure of $9 million dollars in cap space, the Texans look, on paper, like they could have cap issues once again.

Last season the Texans parted ways with Danieal Manning, Owen Daniels, and Brice McCain, in cost cutting moves to open money up on the books so the team could make moves for the greater good of the roster.

How important was that money that the team saved with cost cutting moves? The Texans brought in low risk, veteran minimum players like Kendrick Lewis, Jerrell Powe, Ryan Pickett and Tyson Clabo, who all made the 53-man roster. Additionally, the Texans brought back Manning at a lower contract on a one-year deal and managed their money much more wisely to fill out their roster.

Brian Cushing

As much as people are ready to write him off, two factors come into play regarding Cushing and his future with the Texans. One is his health, and in the last two games of the season, Cushing moved better than he had all season. The next factor is that his cap number for the next two seasons are higher than the dead money on his contract, so the Texans would be spending more to cut him loose. His contract over the next two years make him nearly impossible to cut and would create a difficult cap situation.

Cushing has dealt with two major knee issues prior to the 2014 season and this was his first full season on his knee. There were signs of progress in his health and now it is time to give his body a full offseason to heal and not be focused on the rehab but rather on conditioning.

Johnathan Joseph

Prior to the 2012 season, Joseph restructured his contract to make room for the Matt Schaub contract, and, prior to the 2013 season, he said he would be willing to restructure his contract if needed.

“Any way I can help the team, obviously, I’m all for helping the team. It’s for the team, obviously they haven’t approached me but it’s something that we can talk about if they did. But for right now, I haven’t heard anything.” said Joseph during the 2014 offseason at a charity event.

With $8M+ savings on deck, if he is cut, Joseph’s money could be turned into other players to fill in the roster. One thing to watch is the situation with Kareem Jackson and his pending free agency. The Texans cannot afford to lose both Joseph and Jackson in the offseason. Jackson is set to test the limits in free agency and if he is too much for the Texans' pockets, Joseph is a must-keep for the 2015 team.

Chris Myers

One of the true leaders of the Texans and the offensive line, Myers can still get the job done more times than not. He struggled with bigger defensive lineman but with the firing of Paul Dunn, the offensive line seemed to have bigger issues.

Either way there are cap savings to be had with Myers if the Texans decide to part ways with the veteran center. The Texans have to find confidence in Ben Jones or Cody White to possibly take over the position if they choose to make this move. With players like Derek Newton, Ryan Mallet and Jackson set to hit the market, the Texans could use that extra $6 million from a pre-June 1st cut.

Garrett Graham

Brought back by Bill O’Brien as one of the Texans free agents in the summer of 2014, the tight end missed the final part of the season with a high ankle sprain. The Texans have invested draft picks in C.J. Fiedorowicz and Ryan Griffin in the past two NFL drafts so the youth is there for the offense. Adding in Anthony Denham, the team has three athletic tight ends younger than Graham.

The smallest of the cap savings from the veterans, Graham could easily be kept or moved depending on the other tight ends on the roster.

Andre Johnson

The elephant in the room, the Texans have their biggest decision come up with their most decorated player in franchise history. During a less than impressive 2014 campaign, Johnson put together his best game in week 17 when he looked focused.

His contract is a sticking point and with significant cap savings if the Texans part ways with Johnson, the possibility of him not being in Houston may be a reality. If there is a contract resolution available, the Texans will explore every option to keep Johnson in the Houston uniform.

The emergence of DeAndre Hopkins showed there is a wide receiver in waiting for the Texans, but there is not much more depth at the position.

Plenty falls on Johnson to work with the Texans on finding a resolution and if the offseason of 2014 was any indication on contract talks, things could grow more interesting this coming offseason for Texans and Johnson.

**NOTES**

table.tableizer-table { border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; } .tableizer-table td { padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc; } .tableizer-table th { background-color: #4E9FF0; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold; } Player Name2015 Base Salary2015 Cap Number2016 Cap Number Rank at Position2015 Cap Savings Pre June 12015 Cap Savings Post June 12016 Cap Charge for Post June 1 Release Myers, Chris$6,000,000$8,000,0004$6,000,000N/AN/A Graham, Garrett$3,000,000$4,000,00017$2,500,000$3,250,000$750,000 Johnson, Andre$10,500,000$16,144,5833$8,825,000$11,500,000$2,675,000 Joseph, Johnathan$8,500,000$12,250,0004$8,500,000N/AN/A Cushing, Brian$4,000,000$7,891,2507($1,701,250)$5,093,750$6,795,000

Notes: Johnson's 2015 cap charge assumes he participates in offseason workouts; 2015 cap savings assumes released prior to offseason roster bonus. Cushing's 2015 cap charge assumes he is active for 14 games, roster bonus is LTBE, $78,125 per game. Graham 2015 savings assume offseason roster bonus is not paid. - Troy Chapman