HOUSTON — Houston Texans GM Nick Caserio inherited a me s last January when he agreed to take over the franchise, and still has lots of work to do to keep steering clear of so-called “Cap Hell.”A while back, we made predictions.Who, we asked, are that could be on the for Houston? We made a list with also how much money it will save on an a sortment of players, including Marcus Cannon (cut on Monday) and Eric Murray (being restructured). To wit:CUT CANDIDATESOT Marcus Cannon2022 cap hit: $5.2 millionCap savings: $5.2 millionDead money: $0The Texans added Cannon to stabilize the offensive line. He was expected to take over at right tackle while former first-rounder Tytus Howard shifted inside to right guard.Last season, Cannon only played in four games due to a back injury. Although he was the best option when healthy, he’s 34 and could be viewed at this point in his career as a backup. Houston also has younger players to replace him already on the roster with Howard or 2020 fourth-round pick Charlie Heck.UPDATE: Cannon is now gone. Full story here.S Eric Murray2022 cap hit: Patrick Kerney Jersey $6.9 millionCap savings: $5.4 millionDead money: $1.5 millionMurray is currently the on the Texans cap list. He’s yet to live up to his three-year, $18 million deal under O’Brien and Jack Easterby and wasn’t a full-time starter in Smith’s defense last season.The only logical way for Murray to remain on the roster is if Caserio restructures the contract. That would give him moreguaranteed money on a le ser salary, similar to that of running back David Johnson last offseason.UPDATE: Houston is working on this Shaun Alexander Jersey as of Monday.LB Kevin Pierre-Louis2022 cap hit: $3.6 millionCap savings: $3.1 millionDead money: $500,000It’s hard to imagine Pierre-Louis being retained. Signed as one of the few players to a multi-year deal, he was expected to be the starting weakside linebacker last season after a breakout season in Washington.Instead, he played only 29 defensive snaps, 22 of which came in Week 13 against the Indianapolis Colts.UPDATE: A restructure is complete.OL Max Scharping2022 cap hit: $2.96 millionCap savings: $2.5 millionDead money: $427,000Sharping is a former second-rounder under the Brian Gaine regime who has been inconsistent. Although Houston has played him at both guard spots, he’s never been able to find consistency in terms of pa s protection.Cutting him in the final year of his contract saves over $2 million and might be the best outcome.Scroll to ContinueOL Justin McCray2022 cap hit: $2.5 millionCap savings: $2.3 millionDead money: $4250,00McCrary’s saving grace to return is his versatility. He played both guard spots and center last year and started eight games. He’s a solid depth piece, but keep in mind that McCray was part of a unit that allowed 40 sacks and finished dead last in rushing.K Ka’imi Fairbairn2022 cap hit: $4.3 millionCap savings: $2.8 millionDead money: $1.5 millionIt’s not as if Fairbairn did enough to warrant a guaranteed roster spot. He went15 of 19 on field goals attempts and posted the league’s worst extra-point accuracy last season at only 81.3 percent. With all of his guaranteed money paid up, Houston could cut ties with him and add a younger option like LSU’s Cade York or Texas’ Cameron Dicker in the draft.TRADE CANDIDATESQB Deshaun Watson2022 cap hit: $40.4 millionCap savings: $24.2 millionDead money: $16.2 millionThe Texans are open for busine s. Caserio isn’t going to take a cost-friendly deal, but there’s also a chance Watson will be on the books at least for the start of free agency.UPDATE: OT Laremy Tunsil2022 cap hit: $26 Ethan Pocic Jersey .1 millionCap savings: $9.5 millionDead money:$16.6 millionThere’s a valid argument to keep Tunsil, D.K. Metcalf Jersey but Houston is rebuilding and could use the cap space for the future. When healthy, Tunsil is arguably a top 10 player at his position and would be a ma sive upgrade to nearly every NFL line.The biggest thing will be the asking price for Caserio to move off him. Tunsil still has on his three-year extension, but also could want a long-term deal in place with the team he is trade to.It makes sense for Houston to part ways with him, but the price has to be there for Caserio to pull the trigger.WR Brandin Cooks2022 cap hit: $16.2 millionCap savings: $8.7 millionDead money: $7.5 millionThe Texans are hopeful to extend Cooks rather than trade him this offseason. That said, if the two sides can’t come to terms on , moving him for the highest value seems logical.Cooks is a six-time 1,000-yard receiver and has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons since becoming the Texans featured target. At 29, he might not garner a first-round pick, but a second-rounder plus one or two late-round picks could get the job done if the fire sale is fully in effect.…