NFL Network analyst Maurice Jones-Drew acknowledges the pass-rushing prowess Jadeveon Clowney brings, but says the Houston Texans shouldn’t re-sign the two-time Pro Bowler if he won’t agree to a team friendly deal.
Jones-Drew penned a piece for NFL.com where he outlined what each AFC South team must do to upgrade in the offseason. Keeping Clowney was contingent only on how it fit in with the Texans’ salary cap as they improved the offensive line and secondary.
J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney form one of the best pass-rush duos in the league, but decisions must be made on Clowney, who’s due to hit the market this offseason. I know some will disagree with me, but I would not pay top dollar for Clowney when the Texans could use those funds to address two glaring needs on their win-now roster: offensive line and secondary. Clowney is a fantastic player, and if they can figure out a way to sign him to a team-friendly long-term deal, then I’m all for it. But the Texans still have Whitney Mercilus and Watt to rush the passer, so I think they can afford to let him walk to pay for more pressing priorities.
The Texans currently have $78 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap, the fifth-highest in the NFL. While the Texans do have needs along the offensive line and the secondary, there is enough cap space to take care of Clowney and address the other needs.
What Peter King suggested that the club is hesitant to give Clowney a long-term teal appears more on point than the club not having the cap space. A commitment to Clowney isn’t so much about the money as it is a declaration that they believe he is in their future plans. A franchise tag indicates the club wants him only as a part of their present.
