Free agency is starting to slow down, but there are still a couple of solid players left that can help the Houston Texans. One position the Texans need to look into is the running back group. General manager Brian Gaine is being ultra conservative when selecting free agents this year but there are some running backs that should catch his eye.
Isaiah Crowell
The former Cleveland Brown and New York Jet running back is only 26 years old and has played in every game except for last year missing three games. Crowell has a 4.3 career rushing average, only rushing below 4.0 once in his career back in 2015. When given the touches Crowell has been effective in the run game. The former Alabama State standout would be a nice addition to this Texans back field and a change of pace back for starter Lamar Miller.
T.J. Yeldon
The former second-round pick in the 2015 draft had a nice year for the Jacksonville Jaguars when starter Leonard Fournette was out due to injury. The former Alabama running back rushed for 414 yards and averaged 4.0 yards a carry last year. Not only was Yeldon’s rushing stats solid but his receiving ability showed up to. The former Jaguar had 55 receptions last season for 487 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Yeldon proves he can handle the load and would be a great addition to the Texans running back depth and at 25 years old there is still plenty of gas left in the tank for the ex-Crimson Tide.
Jay Ajayi
Understandably knowing the reason Ajayi is still not signed is because of injuries. Well, if there is one team and one general manager that loves to give one-year prove it deals it’s the Texans. Why not give one to the former Philadelphia Eagle? At 25 years old the former Boise State back still has something to prove, and that is to play a whole NFL season. Ajayi has never played a 16-game season, but has shown flashes of a being a solid running back when given opportunity. While only playing in 42 games in his five-year career with the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia, Ajayi would be the ultimate one-year prove it contract type of player for the Texans and Gaine to sign. Being a backup in the NFL might do some good for Ajayi. It’s evident that handling a full workload in the NFL is not in his favor but being a backup to starter Lamar Miller might be where Ajayi excels at.
Whatever Gaine does decide to do with what’s left of free agency it will be interesting. Most if not all of the top options are long gone and there are still holes on this Texans team with the running back group being one. Gaine will either have to sign a free agent running back or draft a new running back with Alfred Blue a free agent.
