Texans Free Agency Breakdown

Tomorrow marks the beginning of free agency in the NFL. You know...the time when we as fans sit around in agonizing anticipation, hoping that our respective teams' front offices will pull the trigger and pick up that one guy you think will help your team turn the corner and lead them to the promised land?Yea...it's about that time.But as a Texans fan, free agency carries a different meaning. Free agency is typically the time where the Texans sign some under the radar guy, take a chance on a veteran and then sit and wait for the draft. Since the Texans remain committed to building their team through the draft, you can't expect much else, really.Of course free agency serves a purpose for the Texans nonetheless. Over the years, they've tended to use free agency to pick up players in positions that generally come with an adjustment period between college and the NFL. Positions such as wide receivers, fullbacks, and secondary positions are what the Texans spring for, and it's worked out decently so far. Andre Davis, Kevin Walter, Vontae Leach, and Eugene Wilson all came from free agency.Aside from guys like these, the Texans prefer to use free agency to pick up stop gaps for positions until a better player can be drafted to replace them. Ephraim Salaam? Cut after the Texans picked drafted Duane Brown. Ahman Green? Cut after the Texans drafted Steve Slaton. Morlon Greenwood? Cut after the Texans drafted Xavier Adibi. These guys were adequate to mediocre starters who all found themselves without a job once the draftees proved their worth.So as Texans fans, what should we expect when free agency commences? All we know really from the front office is that the defensive pass rush is priority number one. From there, we're left to speculate. Of course, this is something I have no problem doing, so let's take a look at some areas the Texans could possibly address via free agency.A backup QB has to top their shopping list at this point, after the Texans dealt Rosenfels. Schaub's durability is still a concern and I doubt the Texans are in the mood to put up with a rookie QB's growing pains if Schaub gets injured again. Not to mention the fact that there are plenty of other areas that need to be addressed before the Texans spend a draft pick on a player that wont be playing. that said, look for the Texans to grab a veteran QB through free agency to back up Schaub next season. The Houston Chronicle's John McClain has speculated a few potential suitors right here.Another area the Texans might look to free agency to upgrade is at the running back postition. Slaton's obviously a solid starter, but behind him the depth gets a little thin. I'm a fan of a RB committee and I believe the Texans wouldn't mind finding Slaton a solid running mate to keep him fresh. Ex-Giants RB Derrick Ward has displayed some interest in joining the Texans and frankly I'd love to see that happen. There are definitely other areas that might be addressed besides these. The Texans could use another linebacker for depth and/or as a pass rush specialist. Aside from that the Texans could possibly pick up a defensive end, but it would seem as if they're looking to address that area through the draft. Of course picking one up in free agency for insurance wouldn't bother me either.Ultimately I expect the Texans to be a little more active in free agency this year than they have in the past. They'll surely grab a QB but aside from that, don't look for the Texans to grab an Albert Haynesworth or a Ray Lewis. That's just not their style. The Texans have a slow and deliberate formula for success that they plan on sticking to. From the looks of things, it's working. The Texans seem to be right on the verge of something big, and this could be the offseason that puts them over the top.