Since Bill O’Brien took lead of the general managing commitee in Houston, the Texans have made five different trades. In doing so, they have begun emptying their cabinet of future draft picks.
Though the Texans are working without their next two first-round picks, both of their third-round selections in 2020 (if Duke Johnson plays two more games), their 2021 second and their 2020 sixth, expect for them to be busy heading into Oct. 29’s NFL trade deadline.
After the season-ending injury to J.J. Watt (torn pectoral), Houston, under the watchful eye of O’Brien, may resort to the trade market to improve their susceptible defense. Here are three bold trades that he should consider to do so.
1. Texans deal 2020 second, WR Keke Coutee, 2020 Dolphins fourth to Detroit for CB Darius Slay
Let’s kick it off with a bang. The Detroit Lions are a contending team and Darius Slay may be the best player they have on defense. However, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, they are fielding calls for him.
Slay, publicly, is unhappy with Detroit after they traded captain Quandre Diggs to Seattle for pennies on the dollar. He held out over the summer for a contract extension that he didn’t get (free agent after 2021). Clearly, there is tension between the Lions and Slay.
Therefore, the Texans should swoop in. Though they recently acquired CB Gareon Conley from Oakland, their corner room won’t strike fear into opponents. Adding another man-to-man corner in the two-time Pro Bowler Slay could do that.
Slay is worth a first. However, he has missed games in 2019, isn’t locked up for the future, is 28 and his disgruntlement with the team could lead to lower trade value. Nevertheless, a 2020 second and a 2020 fourth (from the hapless Dolphins) isn’t compensation to scoff at. Keke Coutee is a bonus, as he has fallen out of favor in Houston and could use a change of scenery.
2. Texans trade a 2020 second to the capital for OLB Ryan Kerrigan
The Washington Redskins are budging. No longer are they unwilling to sell LT Trent Williams or CB Josh Norman. It appears Dan Snyder and henchman Bruce Allen are realizing that they should get value for talent amid a rebuild. If that’s the case, outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan could be on the move.
If Washington does intend on trading Kerrigan, they should receive calls from just about every single team needing a pass-rusher. Though 31 years old, Kerrigan is one of the NFL’s better pass-rushers and is on a contract until 2021 ($11.5 APY). Houston should jump on that.
A second-round pick may be steep to acquire Kerrigan. After all, he has just two sacks on the year and is on the wrong side of 30. However, he would add a presence to their defense that is vitally needed: consistent pass-rushing. A four-time Pro Bowler, Kerrigan has never had less than 7.5 sacks in a full-season.
Kerrigan would give the Texans a much-needed boost in the pass-rushing department after Watt’s injury. It may be expensive to acquire him, but he is their best — most realistic — trade acquisition to help their pass-rush now. Considering Houston wants to contend in 2020, it may be more than worth it.
3. Texans send a 2020 Dolphins fourth, 2021 sixth to Atlanta for cb desmond Trufant, OLB Vic Beasley
How about knocking out two birds with one stone? The Falcons, at 1-7, are expected to be sellers at the trade deadline. Trading OLB Vic Beasley has been expected for some time. CB Desmond Trufant could also be on the market if the Falcons truly intend on blowing it up.
As noted previously, the Texans’ cornerback group isn’t fixed with their latest addition of Gareon Conley. Trufant, though 29 years old, could help shore up an injury-ravaged secondary.
Though not the Pro-Bowl player he once was, Trufant is an upgrade over most cornerbacks on the roster. He is also under contract through 2022 ($13.75 APY, lacks guaranteed money after 2019 season) and could benefit from a change of scenery.
Beasley is a throw-in for this trade. In fact, he may be a negative asset, as his $12.8 million fifth-year option does not match his lack of production (don’t let his league-leading 15.5 sacks in 2016 fool you). The Falcons have struggled to get value out of him.
To trade Beasley, Atlanta may have to package him in with another player. That’s exactly what they do here, as Houston gives them a high 2020 fourth and a throw-in with the 2021 sixth to upgrade their cornerback group and absorb his contract.
Absorbing both Beasley and Trufant’s cap hits would leave the Texans with little room to work with. However, they are able to do so, as Trufant has less than $6.5 million in remaining cash for the Texans, per Spotrac. They could also cut a player like linebacker Barkevious Mingo, who has no guarantees on a $4.1 million contract.
