Bradley Roby can bridge Houston Texans youth movement in the secondary
By Jair Lopez
Bradley Roby could form part of the future to secondary if he re-signs with the Houston Texans in this upcoming free agency.
The Houston Texans were in a rebuilding phase last offseason in the secondary with Kareem Jackson, Kevin Johnson, and Tyrann Mathieu switching teams. Bradley Roby’s addition in free agency was a significant move at the time as the Texans changed in what they looked in cornerbacks.
The Texans were looking for a versatile defensive back that could match up with big physical possession receivers or fast vertical receivers that could get upfield in a hurry. At 27 years of age, Roby embodied those traits as he trailed the best receiver and showed the speed to stay step for step with the faster receivers in the league towards the end of the regular season.
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Roby should be one of the priorities for the Texans in the offseason not only for his ability to cover different types of receivers but his versatility to play outside or in the slot as a cornerback.
Roby signed to a one year $10 million deal with the opportunity to remain with the team and be the bridge to the Texans youth movement in the secondary.
He could serve a similar role that his potential predecessor Johnathan Joseph worked with when he signed from the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011.
Joseph and Roby are slated to hit free agency, but the Texans would benefit in retaining the latter over the former with the current structure already set in place for the long run.
Joseph is reaching the end of his career at 35 years of age, and his play will decline due to the wear and tear he has accrued in 14 years in the league.
Next. The success and failures fall on O’Brien with changes in structure. dark
The Texans could use a young veteran like Roby in the secondary that can groom the returning group of cornerbacks for the 2020 season and be an important part of the defense moving forward.