The Houston Texans offseason has been nothing short of tumultuous. Shaky hiring processes, shocking hires, and a disgruntled franchise quarterback who has a contract extension at 25 years old is not a good way to start the new league year.
While many fans are as frustrated as they can be, it won’t stop the 2021 NFL season from arriving upon us.
This is an unappealing situation without a doubt. It would take a premium price to pay for the Houston Texans to get any player or future staff member to sign with the franchise. Unless the situation with Deshaun Watson smooths over, and the reputation the Texans have around themselves cleans up, then that premium price will continue to stick around. It’s not like the Texans are contenders. They are far from it, even with Watson.
Despite everything, there are enticing options for the Houston Texans to try and pursue, regardless if Watson stays or not.
It’s possible that you may question the players on this list, and that’s understandable. But the reality is that the Houston Texans won’t be able to sign star free agents because though Nick Caserio — current GM of the Houston Texans — managed to free up some cap space, it’s still far from building a contending roster.
Due to the lack of draft capital and cap space, there are a few prove it deals would be necessary to try and make the roster at least somewhat worth looking at, even if it means signing some players that may have more risk attached to their name and play style.
Here are the three players who can help the Houston Texans with “prove it” deals in 2021.
No. 3: Larry Warford
Larry Warford’s situation is a little bit more trickier than others.
Drafted in 2013 by the Detroit Lions, Warford’s career took off in 2017 when he signed with the New Orleans Saints. Prior to 2017, Warford had not been a Pro Bowl selection, however, he was a pro bowler in the three years he played with the Saints (2017-19).
Unfortunately, his pass blocking was on a steep decline over the third year in his contract, leading to his release despite him earning a Pro Bowl nomination. His run blocking was still stellar and he could be extremely useful for the Houston Texans considering the fact that they cut Nick Martin and are likely moving Zach Fulton to the center spot.
The Houston Texans did next to nothing in the run game last year, and consistently pounding David Johnson inside with struggling interior offensive lineman (especially when Johnson is better with outside runs) wasn’t doing the team any favors.
Since Johnson was brought back, as was Tim Kelly, expect a similar game plan with the run. If the Texans are going to do that, then they might as well have somebody who is an excellent run blocker, that being Warford.
Here’s the tricky part of his situation, Warford opted out of the 2020 season, and he hasn’t played football in a year, and he was receiving offers prior to him opting out.
The interest level around the league could still be the same, maybe even a bit higher, and Warford could say that he was a pro bowler and use that as leverage into getting a nice, long-term contract rather than a “prove it” deal.
It also could go the opposite way. There could be less interest in him due to him sitting out last year — we saw how that worked out for Le’Veon Bell — and he could be forced to take a short term “prove it” deal to show he has what it takes to earn that nice contract, which helps the Texans.
It is doubtful Warford would want to sign with the Texans, just like any other player out there looking for a chance to prove themselves.
If Warford managed to contribute towards making Johnson half has good as what he was prior to his injuries, he can draw legitimate interest the following offseason, especially if he shows improvement in his pass block ability.
No. 2: Jadeveon Clowney
This is a name we are most likely all familiar with. Coming out of the 2014 Draft as the first pick for the Houston Texans, Jadeveon Clowney was known as a freakish athlete that could take any team’s defense to the next level.
After having on-and-off injury issues, Clowney finally had the kind of seasons that the Texans were hoping for in 2016-17, as he was the leader of one of the best defenses in the league despite the absence of three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt.
Considering the fact that he’s a three-time Pro Bowl selection at 28 years old, he would look like a highly desired free agent, but that’s without context. The reality is that there’s a lot of risk when it comes to signing Clowney.
To start, there has been a reputation around Clowney, as that reputation says his work eithic is a little lower than teams would like it to be. Clowney had his injury issues return once again last season, as he missed half of the season (the second half) last year playing for the Tennessee Titans after a torn meniscus.
Clowney was signed to a one-year, $12 million dollar contract ($15 million with incentives), but by the box score he struggled to live up to the contract. In eight games Clowney recorded 19 tackles, four tackles for a loss, one forced fumble, and no sacks.
Also with Clowney, he probably knows he isn’t going to get that big paycheck this offseason, but it’s likely he is looking for a team that can help him revive his career so he can earn the big contract he’s looking for. That likely means joining one of the best defensive teams in the NFL, that way he’s put in the best position possible to succeed.
The Houston Texans are far from that, as they are desperately in need for defensive pressure. After releasing Watt, the Texans are short on defensive lineman with experience. There are many guys the team has on the defensive line who have potential, such as Charles Omenihu, Jacob Martin, Ross Blacklock, etc.
They are all young and will need more experience before they can evolve into more solidified roles. If the Houston Texans defense won’t be able to pressure enough, then their weaknesses in the secondary will be exposed as well. The Texans don’t have any reliable corners behind Bradly Roby, who has had injury issues along with the recent suspension.
Despite the risk Clowney brings, he will still demand a lot of attention from the offensive line when he’s out there because offenses still know that it would be dangerous to just treat him as another regular pass rusher.
Is a Clowney-Texans reunion likely? Nope. They didn’t exactly depart from each other on the best of terms, as former head coach Bill O’Brien sent him off for a questionable return and the relationship between Clowney and the franchise kind of deteriorated on its own.
Considering the fact that Clowney is looking for a contender that can help elevate his play and use his services on the field, the Texans likely aren’t on his radar. With this situation in Houston, it’s very hard to imagine Clowney having a comeback season with the Texans.
No. 1: Kyle Rudolph
Kyle Rudolph was a tight end for the Minnesota Vikings since 2011, was a two-time Pro Bowl selection (2012, 2017), and had a career-high 83 receptions in 2016. Rudolph was a huge part of the Vikings offense over his 11 years in Minnesota, however, due to his diminishing role and for cap space, he was released and is set to be a free agent this NFL offseason.
Rudolph had 28 total receptions last offseason — the second worst season in reception count out of his – for 334 yards total — (third worst season in yards out of his career in 12 games.
Rudolph still feels that his career isn’t over yet, as he believes he still has, “a lot of good football left.”
The Texans could desperately be willing to take the risk. With Darren Fells being a potential candidate up for release for the Houston Texans and the tight end depth being unpredictable, they could really use veteran services at the TE spot, regardless of who’s at QB for the Texans in 2021.
Even if the Texans don’t believe in him as a potential long-term solution, they could always sign him for the veteran experience and have him serve as a mentor to any possible tight end they may end up drafting in the mid rounds.
The Texans haven’t had an NFL known name at the tight end spot since Owen Daniels. Was C.J. Fiedorowicz solid? Of course, but he also had durability issues and decided to go the early retirement route. Darren Fells had a solid first year with the Texans, but struggled last year when he got his extension. Any other tight end the Texans have had over recent years haven’t had any long lasting impact for the franchise.
If Rudolph feels that he still has football left in the tank, and since the Texans have left a hole at the tight end spot for quite some time, a “prove it” deal could be a move worth considering. A versatile tight end can help an offense significantly it’s worth the risk.
That being said, it’s highly unlikely he signs with the Texans. Rudolph is probably looking for a contender that can revive his career and is willing to give him the starting role he’s striving for. The Texans can provide him the role, but not much else. There is no point in the Texans paying a premium price on a “prove it” deal.
It would be shocking if any of these three players or any other player out there looking for a “prove it” deal chose to take that chance with the Houston Texans.
These are intriguing options for the Houston Texans. Considering the lack of draft capital and cap-space, they should definitely be on the lookout for the deals to try and maximize the little amount of assets they can work with.
At the end of the day, a signing is going to have to go through Nick Caserio, Jack Easterby, and Cal McNair. This offseason most likely won’t include a successful turnaround with Easterby and Cal sticking around.