Houston Texans free agency 2020: Top 5 targets

If the Texans really want to swing for the fences, then they’ll need to shoot for one of the biggest names hitting free agency in Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones. Kansas City would love to bring back the best player on its defensive line, but the former second-round pick out of Mississippi State might cost too much for the Chiefs this offseason.

The Chiefs may have won the AFC West, but they are not in a great situation regarding the salary cap. They have the seventh-worst cap situation in the league at roughly $19 million. Kansas City may want to franchise tag him desperately, but that will leave the Chiefs only $1 million to work with this spring. Let’s just say general manager Brett Veach has his work cut out for him.

As it would be by signing a star player from a rival team, landing a player the caliber of Jones as he is just entering his prime could be a seismic shift in AFC defenses. We get that Patrick Mahomes is better than Deshaun Watson at quarterback, but football is a team game. When you have more disruptive pass-rushers like Jones, you give your defense a better chance to win on Sundays.

Next: NFL Power Rankings: 30 Best Defenders of All-Time

Jones’ impending free-agency will be one of the most fascinating. Will the Chiefs slap him with the tag? Can Veach find a way to bring him back on a long-term, team-friendly deal? What are the chances he ends up leaving Kansas City after only four seasons? What if his new team is the Texans? All of those questions will be answered this spring, but Jones is about to get himself paid.