The Texans were smart to lock up future pro-bowler RT Eric Winston right before the beginning of this season. There are a few other young, core players that the Texans should also look to lock up before too much longer…

CB Dunta Robinson, free agent at the end of 2008 season:
We all know the story with Dunta. He was by far our best defensive back before the horrible injury he suffered last season, an injury that he’s only just now come back from. It’s too early to tell how he’s going to respond on the field, but so far his leg has held up. Given time, he might be on track to take his starting job back in the next several weeks.

Robinson is a fan favorite, the players love and respect him, he’s a locker room leader, a team captain, and he brings the kind of attitude and ferocity that I wish the entire defense would absorb. The Texans will likely make his contract the #1 off-season priority as they did with Andre Davis last year. He won’t come cheap, but I get the sense that he wants to be in Houston to finish what he started here.

TE Owen Daniels, free agent at the end of 2009 season:
Owen has this year and next left on his contract, but the Texans are almost obligated to redo his deal immediately. This season, he’s making $445,000 and next year $530,000. Look at Owen’s current statistics, compared to other AFC tight ends:

29 receptions, AFC rank: 1st
374 receiving yards, AFC rank: 1st
62.3 receiving yards per game, AFC rank: 1st
21 catches for a first down, AFC rank: 1st

This is in a conference with Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates. If there’s any justice, Daniels will make the Pro Bowl, but with those two guys still hanging around, probably not. The point is – the Texans would be smart to take care of him before it ever becomes an issue. You definitely don’t want to let this one simmer… the Texans have set a precedent for taking care of core players long before their contracts are up, and I hope they don’t overlook Owen Daniels.

LB DeMeco Ryans, free agent after 2009 season:
Last, but probably most important – you have DeMeco. I only have him here as a mere formality though, as there’s NO WAY the Texans start next season without locking him up first. They’ve already taken this contract situation public anyway, so it’s just a matter of getting it done. Just to complete the thought, check out DeMeco’s base salaries for this and next season. This year, $445,000. Next year, $940,000. There are bonuses that will kick those numbers up significantly, but that’s still an incredible bargain for a guy who’s arguably the best at his position in the NFL. They’ll get it done for him this summer, no doubt.

Big salaries on the way out?
The above three players won’t come cheap, but the good news is – there are some noticeably overpaid Texans who may be on their way out the door sooner rather than later. Anthony Weaver, Ahman Green, and Morlon Greenwood may get the boot regardless of when their contracts end.

2009 Texans free agents nothing to worry about
The Texans don’t have a lot of “big worry” free agents at the end of the current season. In fact, according to my list – Dunta is the ONLY big worry free agent we have – all are unrestricted unless otherwise noted:

OL Mike Brisiel (exclusive rights free agent)
OL Chris White
LS Bryan Pittman
OL Rashad Butler (restricted free agent)
DL Jeff Zgonina
CB Demarcus Faggins
CB Dunta Robinson

Not exactly a list that’s going to cost us a boatload of cash to deal with. By dropping a couple of high salaries (as long as the cap hit isn’t huge), the Texans look like they’re in good shape to take care of their own, and maybe even take a look at a couple of mid-tier free agents.