Houston Texans Roundup: Right decisions need to be made this offseason

The Houston Texans know they must make the correct decisions this offseason, but what happens to the team if they don’t?

As the 2019 NFL Combine has come to a close and the Houston Texans continue to gear up for free agency and the 2019 NFL Draft, the questions that I have are these: What if the Texans don’t make the correct decisions this offseason? Will the team make the right choices? What happens with the franchise if the decisions they make are the wrong ones?

That said, there are also the questions like: What happens with the franchise if the Texans do make the right choices? What is the potential of this team in 2019 if the right players are added to the roster?

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It is a matter of being positive and negative, but with the Texans and how poorly the end of last season wrapped up, there are a few big-time and important decisions that need to be made this offseason that  will all but affect how future seasons turn out, too.

Take, for example, the placing of the franchise tag on edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney on Monday. I believe that was a smart move made by the Texans as the two parties continue to work on a deal, or if nothing else Clowney will be playing for the Texans for at least the 2019 season.

In a recent ESPN.com article by Sarah Barshop, she reported the Texans will be “selectively aggressive,” quoting Texans General Manager Brian Gaine about building around quarterback Deshaun Watson

"“As long as I’m here, I’m going to make every effort to put the pieces in place around him to help him, support him and help him be successful on the field.”"

That is good to know that is the focus for the Texans general manager and front office, but they better hope they make the correct choices or it could be another 60-plus sack season for Watson, putting the offense another step behind the Indianapolis Colts as they are the top challenge in the AFC South this upcoming season.

More Texans Headlines:

• Brad Berreman of FanSided.com says “don’t dismiss” the Texans going after free agent running back Le’Veon Bell this offseason, writing the following in a recent article:

"“The Texans finished eighth in the league in rushing last season (126.3 yards per game). But take away quarterback Deshaun Watson’s production as a runner (551 yards, 34.4 yards per game) and that drops to 31st in the league.”"

I’ve been saying this all offseason, and that is the Texans need to get better somehow at running back, because Watson can’t keep being one of the top rushers on the team and keep taking all the hits he has been taking to be the quarterback he’s able to become.

Bell would make the Texans a very strong football team, and he would really amp up their offense, but would the Texans be willing to spend the money Bell is requesting to add him to the roster? That is the biggest question, and it all goes back to the franchise “making the right choices” this offseason.

• Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News gave his thoughts on the Texans and their free agency needs. With the main topic being pursuing Bell, the other needs for the Texans were listed as well, including cornerback and what they can accomplish in free agency at the position:

"“The Texans should not be ruled out in going after two established outside options in Steven Nelson and Ronald Darby.”"

Those would be good choices for salary cap reasons, and Darby could really be a good value to the defense for the Texans without breaking the bank. I’ve mentioned Darby earlier this offseason as a possible cornerback target, so he would add some nice depth to the cornerback roster of the Texans as a free agent signing.

• Tweet of the Day

Again, I like this move by the Texans, and if they don’t work out a deal by the summer deadline, at least Clowney is on the roster for 2019 and they can work on it again after the season.

If the Texans are smart, though, they may just want to get this deal done and over with because Clowney could raise his price tag if he has a career-best season in 2019.