Breakdown of how DT D.J. Reader could end up leaving the Texans in free agency

If defensive tackle D.J. Reader and the Houston Texans breakup in free agency, this is how it will all go down.

2. Houston won’t tag Reader

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As Wilson explains, the cost to use the franchise tag on a defensive tackle in 2020 is $15.5 million. The Texans could use the transition tag, but that would cost them $12.3 of 2020 salary cap space. Houston more than likely will not use their tags on Reader.