Houston Texans: Six defensive line free agent options
By Randy Gurzi
Olivier Vernon, Miami Dolphins, 25 years old
A third-round pick in 2012 out of Miami, defensive end Olivier Vernon is set to hit the open market in 2016, and after a tumultuous couple of seasons in Miami, could he be ready for a change of scenery?
While there has been a bullying scandal, a coach being fired and a quarterback complaining about scout team players in Miami, things have been pretty quiet in Houston.
Head coach Bill O’Brien looks to be stable following back-to-back nine win seasons and also appears to run a rather tight ship in terms of how his players behave. Such small things could be enticing when a player is coming from a place void of such disciplines.
On the field, Vernon has been a good player as he has been a full-time starter the past three seasons. He had 7.5 sacks and 61 tackles in 2015 after posting 46 and 6.5 in 2014 and 57 and 11.5 sacks in 2013.
While he has only hit double digit sacks once, he could be a big force when combined with Watt and pass rushing linebackers Whitney Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney (who is finally coming around after an injury plagued start to his career).
Vernon may not come cheap, but he would bring a lot of talent to a defense that knows how to utilize their players.
Next: A sack specialist to hit the open market?