Tashaun Gipson may not have a secure spot with the Houston Texans in 2020.

Friend of the “Texans Talk Podcast,” Pro Football Hall of Fame voter John McClain with the Houston Chronicle, played the part of a Bill O’Brien whisperer in his latest column. The General’s main premise was that fans shouldn’t be shocked if the Texans trade down from the 40th overall pick in Round 2 of the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft. However, McClain’s breakdown of where the Texans could go doesn’t bode well for Gipson.

Now, though, I’m thinking a safety might be the Texans’ first pick. In his conference call, O’Brien mentioned every cornerback and safety on the team who played in the NFL last season, but he omitted one — Tashaun Gipson Sr., a starter last season. Gipson, who turns 30 in August and is entering his ninth season, missed the two playoff games with a back injury. He missed two games in regular season. Maybe O’Brien is looking for a replacement. The Texans didn’t re-sign safety Jahleel Addae. [Eric] Murray and [Jaylen] Watkins have primarily been reserves in their careers. I’m sure O’Brien would like to find another talented safety like Justin Reid, a third-round pick in 2018 who has become one of their better players. “Safety is another position I think we can add to,” O’Brien said.

The complication with getting rid of the 6-1, 212-pound safety is the impact on the salary cap. According to Over The Cap, if the Texans outright cut Gipson before June 1, they eat $4.25 million in dead money. A post-June 1 is still pricey at $3.75 million.

However, if the Texans are able to find a trade partner, they can save more money. A pre-June 1 trade — during the NFL draft perhaps — would cost them $1 million in dead money. A post-June 1 trade — possibly during training camp or the preseason — would cost Houston only $500,000 in dead money.

The circumstances have to be favorable for the Texans to part with Gipson. Even though he missed two regular season games and two playoff contests, the former 2014 Pro Bowler logged 51 tackles, picked off three passes, including one for a touchdown, batted away eight others, and recorded two tackles for loss. The Texans would have to be confident they can replace or build on that production with the safeties and defensive backs leftover.