Chiefs Need To Attack Ex-Texans Offensive Lineman

If the Kansas City Chiefs are looking for a way to spend all their extra cap money, the Houston Texans are giving them an excellent opportunity to do so.

Houston released right tackle Eric Winston this afternoon.

Pro Football Focus ranked Winston as the 11th best tackle, right or left, in the entire league in 2011. He graded particularly well in both pass (+7.1) and run blocking (+8.3). Winston has started for five years running and has been a huge part of making the Texans a superior running team. On top of all that, he is only 28.

Tackles the quality of Winston don’t hit the market very often. This guy is going to get paid. The Chiefs, who absolutely need a starting right tackle, had better be the ones to pay him. Keep in mind that Winston is a free agent right now. Scott Pioli doesn’t have to wait until tomorrow to get him. If I were the Chiefs, I’d be sending a plane right now.

After they lock up Winston, the Chiefs should immediately turn their attention to another Texans lineman in Chris Myers. Myers was Houston’s center last season, earning his first Pro Bowl bid. PFF graded him as the BEST center in football last season with an overall grade of +29.8. He was an incredible run blocker and would be a massive upgrade over Casey Weigmann.

Myers is only 30 and likely has a few more years left in him. The Chiefs could then continue to groom Rodney Hudson, who would provide excellent depth at both center and guard.

Myers won’t become a free agent until tomorrow at 4 p.m. Eastern.

The Chiefs have a chance to make a huge difference for their offense by making these two free agent pickups. At the very least, they need to make sure they come away with one of these ex-Texans.