The Houston Texans have 24 players on their roster who are playing on expiring contracts. It creates an element of players wanting to prove to the organization or potential suitors in 2020 free agency just what they bring to a team.
While not all 24 are playing up to that level, there are six who have demonstrated they are worth an extension from the Texans.
1. dt d.j. reader
The former 2016 fifth-round pick from Clemson has had a career year to date with 1.5 sacks, 15 tackles, and three tackles for loss in just four games, all of which he started. Not only does Reader get credit from defensive end J.J. Wat for making his job easier, but coach Bill O’Brien has long been a supporter of his and wished more people would talk about him going as far as the 2018 offseason. Reader has, not only carried the mantle of Vince Wilfork, but excelled with it.
2. rb carlos hyde
Hyde has earned a contract extension by providing the Texans a stable No. 1 atop the depth chart. His 4.8 yards per carry is actually tied with the Carolina Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey for the 13th-highest in the NFL. Hyde has done a good job of providing stability at the position after the loss of Lamar Miller in the third preseason game, and he did it all the while spending the offseason and training camp preparing for the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense. The Texans need that type of stability going into 2020 as Miller is also on an expiring deal and recovering from a torn ACL.
3. cb bradley roby
The former 2014 Denver Broncos first-round pick has the position flex to play inside and outside, and he is the perfect candidate, at 28 years old in 2020, to be the new “old man” in a cornerback room that got younger over the offseason with the drafting of Lonnie Johnson and Xavier Crawford. Roby has given up 7.9 yards per target as a cornerback, which is better than A.J. Bouye, Ronald Darby, and Malcolm Butler to name a few.
4. ls jon weeks
All a team wants out of a long snapper is for his name to stay out of the headlines, and Weeks has provided the Texans that throughout his 10 seasons with the club thanks to his clean snaps on field goal, point-after tries, and punts. At 33 years old, Weeks still has plenty to offer the Texans. Consider that Trey Junkin, whose name NFL fans are familiar with, was still a long snapper until the age of 41. Weeks still has plenty to offer the Houston’s special teams unit.
5. ot roderick johnson
The former Cleveland Browns 2017 fifth-round pick has provided the Texans with stability as a swing tackle. He has been able to come in when injuries or other line reshuffling has occurred and given the Texans a quality presence in the interim. As offensive line depth, Johnson is what the Texans need as they continue to add better front line talent. But in a pinch, Johnson has shown he can help the Texans through tough times.
6. lb dylan cole
The former 2017 undrafted free agent from Missouri State earned the respect of his teammates when he was voted a special teams captain. Cole also has utility on defense, too, racking up three combined tackles through four games. Originally a tryout during the Texans’ rookie minicamp, Cole made an impression on coach Bill O’Brien.
“You could tell he was a great teammate right away, works very hard, good guy in the locker room and a really good leader,” O’Brien said on Sept. 11. “Takes special teams important, takes his role on defense very important and he’s a leader.”
