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.

4. The Texans are prioritizing other positions

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Even though the Texans don’t have to get in the trenches to sign left tackle Laremy Tunsil and quarterback Deshaun Watson until the 2021 offseason, they have to structure their 2020 contracts with those extensions in mind. Tunsil could command upwards of $20 million annually, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the game. Watson will be in the same contract class as quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and that is not even factoring in how Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s $40 million asking price could affect the quarterback market.