The Houston Texans are heading into an important offseason for the franchise following a second-round exit in the playoffs in 2019. To the dismay of most fans, Bill O'Brien has officially been given the title of general manager in 2020.
Therefore, O'Brien will have the final say for any and all decisions that are made in free agency. Fans in Houston are just hoping that O'Brien doesn't ruin the team's chances of remaining atop the AFC South.
Just a month before free agency, the Texans enter the offseason with $56.5 million in cap space, according to Spotrac. With Houston not owning a first-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, they'll have to address some of their needs in free agency. Taking that into consideration, here are three underrated free agents the Texans should target.
3. Jordan Howard
Last offseason, the Texans found a gem in trading for Carlos Hyde to become their starting running back. Along with Hyde, Houston also acquired Duke Johnson from the Cleveland Browns.
But with Hyde becoming a free agent and Johnson being more of a receiving threat, the Texans could be in the market for a running back. While it's best for Houston to draft a running back, Jordan Howard is an interesting option for them in free agency.
Howard spent this season with the Philadelphia Eagles and missed six games due to a shoulder injury. However, Howard is still only 25-years-old and has three 900-yard seasons under his belt in his first four seasons in the NFL.
2. Bruce Irvin
The Texans were unable to get a long-term deal done with Jadeveon Clowney ahead of the 2019 season. Thus, the team thought it was best to send the former No. 1 pick to the Seattle Seahawks in a blockbuster trade.
Upon trading Clowney, Houston lacked a consistent edge presence outside of Whitney Mercilus. In free agency, the Texans would undoubtedly love to sign someone like Shaquil Barrett, but it's likely he remains with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Of the other options available, Bruce Irvin could be a decent addition for Houston. The veteran pass rusher recorded a career-high 8.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, and a forced fumble in 2019 with the Carolina Panthers.
1. Bashaud Breeland
After taking a look at the Texans' upcoming offseason, it's apparent that cornerback could become a major need. Once free agency begins, there's a chance that Bradley Roby, Johnathan Joseph, and Philip Gaines are no longer with the team.
Regardless of whether or not they retain any of them, Bashaud Breeland is going to be a great signing for whatever team lands him in free agency. In his lone season with the Kansas City Chiefs, Breeland proved that he can be a formidable cornerback in the NFL again.
The former corner for the Washington Redskins tallied 48 tackles, eight deflections, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and a touchdown in 2019. Then, in the postseason, he would make a crucial interception in Super Bowl 54 to aid Kansas City's efforts in taking down the San Francisco 49ers.
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