1. Tyrann Mathieu, FS
This one hurts to write because Tyrann Mathieu was a perfect fit for the Houston Texans after they gave him a chance to be a part of their strong defense, and Mathieu did that and more. Maybe Mathieu was too good and now has caught the attention of other NFL franchises, and now the Texans will be forced to really show Mathieu the money to keep him on their defensive secondary.
Mathieu has a very good season for his lone year with the Texans, totaling 70 solo tackles, two interceptions and eight passes defensed. Those are excellent numbers, and being just 26 years old, it would be a shame if the Texans let Mathieu go from their roster.
The Texans can’t make the same mistake the Arizona Cardinals did when they didn’t re-sign Mathieu and let him possibly become an opponent, but who knows what the Texans are willing to pay.
Mathieu also had three sacks last season, plus had two stuffs. Mathieu in the Texans defensive secondary made everyone better and gave rookie Justin Reid someone to learn from in the process. There is the issue though that now everyone else knows just what Mathieu is still capable of, and he should bring a lot of suitors in free agency.
If the Texans are smart, they will do what they have to do to keep Mathieu — to a certain degree, that is — on the roster, but there is probably a team out there waiting to really wine and dine Mathieu to join their franchise. That could be why the Texans see Mathieu possibly play elsewhere in 2019.
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