Everyone knows the Houston Texans need help along the offensive line, and that cornerback is a need due to the age of starter Johnathan Joseph, who will be 35 years old come Week 1.
However, there is a hidden need the AFC South champions from a season ago need to address, and Sports Illustrated uncovered it in their latest evaluation of the Texans.
According to authors Andy Benoit and Gary Gramling, edge defender is an area that needs to be addressed. Yes, the implications are that the club needs a backup plan in case things with Jadeveon Clowney go south, but lost in the talk of Clowney and his new contract is the fact outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus will be entering the last year of his.
Jadeveon Clowney’s athletic combustibility and instincts are greatly admired within that building, but there have been whispered questions about his work ethic and obvious questions about his durability. Hence, his being franchise-tagged instead of inked to a long-term deal. Even if the Texans decide after this season to sign Clowney long-term, they might need a replacement for Whitney Mercilus, who is in a contract year and, after being relegated to less glamorous duties, was invisible on film last season. If the Texans weren’t flush with cap space, they probably would have taken the $6.25 million savings and cut Mercilus this spring.
The Texans have brought in some edge rushers as part of their pre-draft visits. It isn’t so much to replace Clowney as it is to find someone to replace Mercilus.
In the 2018 NFL draft, Houston took outsider linebacker Duke Ejiofor from Wake Forest. The former Alief Taylor product produced a sack, recovered a fumble, and deflected two passes in his 12 games with the Texans last year. If they don’t take an edge in this year’s draft, it could be that they feel Ejiofor can grow into a starting role.
