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Houston Texans: 5 moves needed to compete with Indianapolis Colts in 2019

By Ryan Freeberg

HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 05: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans looks to pass under pressure by Margus Hunt #92 of the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter during the Wild Card Round at NRG Stadium on January 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 05: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans looks to pass under pressure by Margus Hunt #92 of the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter during the Wild Card Round at NRG Stadium on January 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 23: Free safety Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Houston Texans celebrates an interception by inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney #55 (not pictured) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 23: Free safety Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Houston Texans celebrates an interception by inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney #55 (not pictured) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

4. Attack draft and free agency to improve secondary

As the 2018 season went on, and the injuries began to pile up, Houston’s lack of depth began to show. Positions such as wide receiver, running back and cornerback were hit the hardest. At one point in the season, the Houston Texans were forced to look at their practice squad for replacements, promoting Vyncint Smith to the active roster near the end of the season.

If Houston wants to not only compete with the Indianapolis Colts, but with the AFC in general, they will need to be aggressive in free agency and the draft. Houston is poised to enter free agency with $74 million in cap space per OverTheCap. This is after already franchise tagging starting defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. Tagging Clowney helps to solidify the defensive line, but that’s not the biggest area of defensive need.

Two of the Texans starting secondary members are set to leave in free agency — Kareem Jackson and Tyrann Mathieu and it is doubtful at this point that the pair return. That being said, with the recent release of cornerback Kevin Johnson, a return for Jackson seems more likely.

Jackson has played with Houston his entire career, being drafted by the team in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Last season, Pro Football Focus had Jackson rated as the No. 2 cornerback in the NFL. Mathieu’s fate seems up in the air, with a loaded safety market, he may be seen as an expendable asset.

Players such as Earl Thomas and Landon Collins have been rumored to be potential targets for Houston if contract talks fall through with Mathieu. Collins has even admitted to liking Houston in a video posted to Twitter.

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