As we get closer to training camp, teams are still finalizing their rosters, and part of that process is releasing players post-June 1st to add some extra salary cap. Teams will hold a player through June that they don’t plan on keeping for training camp just to get that extra $3-4M in cap savings. We may see that this year with a few players, whether that’s by releasing said player, or through a trade. In this article we’ll be focusing on three players we hope to see get cut so the Houston Texans can sign them. But, who might become available that the Texans feel completes their roster?
The Texans filled most of their roster holes before drafting anybody, then found their starting cornerback, offensive tackle, and future safety in each round. So generally there wouldn’t be any more positions that need to be fixed for a team coming off of a divisional round appearance. However, three pressing holes need to be addressed soon. 
The Texans don’t have any need for starters on this team, but just a veteran presence in a couple of position rooms. Players who are facing an uncertain future with their respective teams won’t be signing anywhere to start this close to training camp, so landing with a team like the Texans who are close to a Super Bowl appearance may be their best bet.
Without waiting any longer, let’s get to my three players who the Texans are hoping to get cut with a post-June 1st tag.
Marshon Latimore, cornerback, New Orleans Saints
While Lattimore is only 28 years old, he’s restructured his deal several different times to remain on the Saints. However, that doesn’t mean he’ll stay there forever either. Lattimore has had a good career ever since being drafted in 2017, however, has dealt with an injury over the past two seasons. He would miss four games in 2023 with an ankle sprain, and 10 games in 2022 due to an abdomen strain. Neither injury will nag him as we go forward, but it may be enough for the Saints to wipe their hands clean and begin their rebuild.
The Texans did a lot of work to their secondary this off-season between finding depth players and impact starters right away. Lattimore doesn’t change their plans for Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley Jr, however, he provides that veteran presence and offers an experienced voice that they are still looking for.
The Saints cap space still isn’t pretty, and they can get a jumpstart on their rebuild right now by moving off of Lattimore. He is also at the point in his career where he may feel like he needs to go to a contender before he retires, and the Texans offer him that option. It would be a win-win for both sides.
Kenny Clark, defensive tackle, Green Bay Packers
This one may not be as much of a “sure thing” as Lattimore was, but Clark could find himself unemployed in the coming weeks. The defensive tackle market being as hot as it is right now, may not help the Packers keep Clark around, as Bleacher Report mentioned. He’s had plenty of success in the league, totaling 34 sacks since being drafted in 2016. But at 28 years old, and the Packers having to pay Jordan Love, along with his top pass catchers pretty soon, Clark may be left wondering where his money is.
And yes, I did say that anybody that the Texans sign between now and training camp isn’t going to be starters, but Clark will be. They lack a dominant interior rusher like Clark, and adding him to an already stacked line with Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter would make them unguardable. Adding Clark to a room filled with solid impact players such as Denico Autry, Tim Settle, and Foley Fatukasi would make Demeco Ryans the happiest person in all of Houston.
But what would a contract look like? If he is left unemployed, he won’t be signing a big contract in June. Most teams blew all their money between March and April, and whatever they have left is going to their rookies. So chances are it would be a one-year deal that lets him test the market again at 29 years old next March.
Markquese Bell, linebacker, Dallas Cowboys
He may not be the most notable player on this list, but he is a very good contributor on defense. In his second year with the Cowboys, Bell started in eight games and totaled 94 tackles, two forced fumbles, and three tackles for loss. Bell has the versatility that the Texans seem to be looking for out of their players, as he’s also seen some reps as a safety. Where they decide to play him may be based on the matchup each week. They have a bigger need at linebacker than safety, so he would most likely see more snaps there.
Standing at 6’3 205 lbs, they may want him to play more at linebacker than he did in Dallas. If that’s the case, there could be packages where he gets on the field with both safeties, Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward, and all three linebackers, Christian Harris, Azeez Al-Shaair, and Henry To’oTo’o at the same time. His coverage ability from being a college safety, and his rushing ability from Dallas make him an intriguing player to have in your defense.
If they decide that linebacker is still a need, and Bell becomes available, Nick Caserio should be all over the phones getting him in Houston. At 25 years old, Bell has an untapped skillset that would make their defense significantly better.
