Former All-Pro headlines potential departures for the Houston Texans

With new head coach DeMeco Ryans at the helm, Houston hopes 2023 will be a turning point for the franchise. The Texans own the second and 12th overall picks in the NFL Draft, and Sportrac projects Houston to have the fifth-most cap space in the league. In the offseason, the Texans can free up more. 

Here are three potential candidates for departure:

Christian Kirksey, Linebacker

Kirksey may have posted his highest sack total since 2017, but the 30-year-old struggled in 2022. According to Pro Football Focus, he was the 61st highest-graded linebacker among 80 qualified players at the position. Cutting Kirksey will save Houston $5.3 million but leave a $1 million dead cap hit.

Kwon Alexander, who was with the Jets this season, might be a perfect target to replace Kirksey in free agency, as Ryans was Alexander's linebackers coach in San Francisco. 

Arkansas' Drew Sanders could be an option in the draft if he should fall out of the first round. Houston has the 34th overall selection, the second pick of the second round.

Desmond King, Cornerback

It wasn't long ago that King was an All-Pro-caliber player. Now he could find himself on his fourth team in four years. King allowed a reception 72.4% of the time he was targeted this season, up from his 2021 reception percentage, despite being thrown at less. 

Additionally, he had a 13.4% missed tackle rate, the second highest of his career. Houston would save $3 million by releasing King, but he'll still have a $1.6 million dead cap hit. 

Suppose the Texans draft a cornerback with the 12th pick. In that case, Illinois' Devon Witherspoon or Penn State's Joey Porter Jr. could perfectly complement Derek Stingley Jr. In the positional rankings by ESPN's Mel Kiper, the two prospects rank one and two, respectively. 

Eric Murray, Safety

Despite signing a two-year, $10 million extension with Houston before the 2022 season, Murray lost his starting spot to 2022 second-round pick Jalen Pitre, who enjoyed a promising rookie campaign. Murray spent most of his time on special teams in 2022, so he's likely to be a cap casualty.

The Texans would save $4 million by cutting Murray, leaving behind a $1.36 million dead cap hit.

Houston shouldn't spend much on another safety. It would be better to sign a cheaper veteran in free agency to help guide Pitre. Impending Patriot free agent Jabrill Peppers, a Swiss Army Knife-type player, could be an under-the-radar target.