The Texans are going to sign more veteran free agents, but how many depends on what they are able to accomplish in the draft.

Free agents signed after the draft don’t count toward the compensatory formula for 2021, so expect a run on them after the draft (April 23-25) is completed.

If I’m Bill O’Brien and I agreed to a contract last week with free agent defensive tackle Tim Jernigan, I wait for him to sign until after the draft so he can’t negate a possible compensatory pick.

That’s what they did last year with veteran free agents like safety Jahleel Addai and running back Taiwan Jones, both of whom contributed to winning the AFC South title.

The Texans were awarded three compensatory picks this year, one in the third round and two in the seventh. The third-rounder went to Cleveland to complete last year’s trade for running back Duke Johnson.

The Texans don’t have their first-round pick because of the Laremy Tunsil trade with Miami. That pick is 26th in the first round. Beginning with two draft choices in the second round — 40th and 57th overall — the Texans have eight picks.

As the Texans approach the draft and the unprecedented circumstances of drafting from a war room at home, it’s safe to say the areas in which they need help the least are tight ends, inside linebackers and specialists.

O’Brien’s top priorities in the draft should be a receiver, interior defensive lineman who can rush the passer, safety and cornerback.

Fortunately for the Texans, this appears to be a good draft for prospects at their need positions. Now it’s up to them to make the right picks and do a good job of developing the rookies at a time when there won’t be an on-the-field offseason program and training camp and preseason could be shortened because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Because rookies won’t get as much on-field instruction as they would under normal circumstances, expect the Texans to add free agents.

It says here they need another running back to go with David Johnson and Duke Johnson. When the Texans couldn’t convince Carlos Hyde to re-sign, they moved on, and David Johnson was included in the DeAndre Hopkins trade.

David Johnson missed all but the first game of the 2017 season with a broken wrist. After starting 16 games in 2018, he missed three last season because of nagging injuries.

Because O’Brien puts so much emphasis on the running game — they were ninth in rushing in 2019 with 125.6 yards a game — he doesn’t want to be in a situation in which David Johnson is injured and Duke Johnson has to do the heavy-duty work in the running game.

It also won’t be surprising if the Texans sign another veteran receiver to play outside. Randall Cobb was signed to play inside. They’re expected to use their first draft choice on a receiver who plays outside. Adding another veteran who can play in both spots could bolster the offense.

Right guard, where Zach Fulton has started the last two seasons, could get fortified in the draft or free agency.

Looking at the defense, safety is an issue. That position is expected to be addressed in the draft. They’ve signed two veterans in Eric Murray and Jaylen Watkins, but it won’t be shocking if O’Brien adds another one after the draft.

Teams that have a 3-4 base defense never have enough outside linebackers who can rush the passer. That’s always an issue. With nose tackle D.J. Reader signing with Cincinnati, the Texans could use the draft or free agency to try to replace him.

And, like Jernigan, the Texans should sign another defensive lineman or two who might be able to bolster the pass rush.

The team’s two-biggest priorities are receiver and an inside pass rusher. O’Brien may have to use the draft and free agency — or possibly another trade — to try to improve those positions.

We’d be naïve — no, we’d be nincompoops, actually — to think O’Brien isn’t going to make any trades. He could trade up, or he could trade down, but we know from watching him that Trader Bill will deal.

john.mcclain@chron.com

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