Looking for a third straight AFC South title, the Houston Texans could look to a few underrated targets during 2017 NFL Free Agency to help in that pursuit
Since hiring head coach Bill O'Brien in 2014, the Houston Texans have been a perennial 9-7 team. They have posted that record three times in a row, and it was good enough to win the AFC South the past two. Now as they aim to take next step, they have to be smarter in 2017 NFL free agency than they were in 2016.
Last season they spent big on running back Lamar Miller, from the Miami Dolphins and quarterback Brock Osweiler, from the Denver Broncos. They were praised for a little while as winners of the offseason, but then the regular season began and everything changed.
Osweiler proved to be a terrible investment as he threw just 15 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions. This year they still have some holes to fill, and the prudent way to do so is with modest free agent signings coupled with solid draft picks.
With that in mind the Texans could look to some underrated players to try and bolster their roster. Here are five such players who could aid them in their defense of the AFC South.
Nov 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Benny Cunningham (23) carries the ball past Carolina Panthers free safety Tre Boston (33) in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
5. Benny Cunningham, RB – Los Angeles Rams
Running back Lamar Miller topped the thousand-yard mark for the Houston Texans, but he suffered through some shoulder issues. Miller missed some time due to the problems, which were compounded by him being overused at the position. The reason for that is there really wasn't anyone behind him who could be trusted.
More from NFL Spin Zone
Alfred Blue was their top backup, and although he averaged 4.2 yards per carry (a career high), he wasn't able to take advantage of many of the opportunities afforded to him. Blue struggled with consistency and has never been much of a factor catching the ball out of the backfield with his career high for catches being just 15. The team would turn to veteran Jonathan Grimes when they needed a backup who could help in the receiving area, but maybe in 2017 NFL free agency they could look for a guy who could improve their backup running back spot.
One possibility could be Benny Cunningham, a free agent from the Los Angeles Rams. Undrafted out of Middle Tennessee in 2013, Cunningham has been a third-down back for the most part for the Rams. He has never had more than 66 rush attempts in a single season, but he has had as many as 45 receptions. For his career Cunningham averages 4.4 yards per rush and 8.1 yards per reception. Compare that to Blue who averages 3.6 yards per rush and 6.2 per receptions.
Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders tackle Menelik Watson (71) celebrates as he runs off the field after a 19-16 win over the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
4. Menelik Watson, OT — Oakland Raiders
In 2016 the Houston Texans struggled all along their offensive line. They had injuries to blame as starting left tackle Duane Brown was in and out of the lineup. Replacing him became even harder than normal after they also lost starting right tackle Derek Newton.
Newton, the former seventh-round pick out of Arkansas State had developed into a fine starter. Then a terrible injury occurred where he tore the patellar tendon in both of his knees. There will be serious questions about him being able to play going forward, so Houston may need a contingency plan. That makes targeting some offensive line help very important.
Free agent tackle Menelik Watson could be a name to watch. He was selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders and has started 17 games since then. Watson has struggled with injuries himself which may scare the Texans away from him, but maybe it shouldn't.
Watson is an incredible athlete who can play on either side of the line. He's also just 28-years old, so if he can shake the injury bug Houston could have a starter for the next six-or-seven years. Watson could also be incredibly affordable in comparison to his potential due to the problems he has had staying on the field in the past. It would be a risky signing, but the payoff could be huge.
Jan 15, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys strong safety J.J. Wilcox (27) during the second quarter in the NFC Divisional playoff game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
3. J.J. Wilcox, SS — Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have two safeties headed for free agency and the least likely to return is strong safety J.J. Wilcox. He never seemed to earn the respect of fans, but his play was more than good enough to be an in the box safety. Of course, he isn't perfect by any means. Wilcox struggles some in coverage and at times takes bad angles on tackle attempts. That's to be expected though because the 2013 third-round pick was selected out of Georgia Southern after playing safety for just one season.
He's gotten much more experience since then, starting 38 games while playing in 58 games for Dallas. Wilcox has 214 tackles and five interceptions in his career but it's his hard hits that makes him valuable. Houston has safeties that are really good at covering receivers and tight ends. What they don't have is an enforcer in the secondary that will lay ball carriers and receivers out just like he does in this tweet from Bleacher Report's Marcus Mosher.
You could say J.J. Wilcox is physical. https://t.co/XzSmzLBBg3
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) September 16, 2015
Wilcox may not be a huge name circulating with free agency looming, but he would bring a lot of starting experience and may be a steal depending on what kind of salary he commands.
Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) reacts after catching a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
2. Victor Cruz, WR — New York Giants
With DeAndre Hopkins on one side and Will Fuller on the other, the Houston Texans have a couple of receivers who can make plays down the field. What they don't have is a guy who can control the middle of the field as a slot receiver. Fortunately for them, one such guy is available in former New York Giants slot receiver Victor Cruz.
Cruz was recently released by the Giants, but is still a success story after missing two years worth of action due to reoccurring knee issues. Cruz returned to the field in 2016 and recorded a game winning touchdown on opening night. It wound up being his only touchdown of the season as Cruz finished with 39 receptions for 586 yards.
He wasn't his old self, and he also wasn't worth what the Giants were paying him. That was made obvious when they released him. He's also not really in demand as he has taken just one visit since then despite being one of the few players able to take visits at the moment thanks to the timing of when he was let go.
The lack of interest means Houston could have him on the cheap. He would then be able to provide a veteran presence on a young receiving group. He also excels n the slot, which is quarterback Brock Osweiler's favorite place to work. He may not be the starter much longer, but if he is it would be smart to find some players that help him in the areas he is at least decent at.
Nov 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
1. Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB — New York Jets
Sounds crazy right? Sure the Houston Texans traded Ryan Fitzpatrick to the New York Jets for a bag of Funyuns after signing Brian Hoyer, but maybe they can bring him back. Hoyer has since been replaced by the high priced Osweiler and Fitzpatrick went from the New York Jets savior in 2015 to the reason they were losing in 2016.
Brining him back to Houston may not be that crazy, though. After his disastrous second season in New York, Fitzpatrick is without a team and Houston needs someone who can at least operate an offense. There have been rumors of them looking at veteran Tony Romo, but maybe going with a less polarizing player makes more sense.
Fitzpatrick had one of his best seasons as a pro in 2014 with the Texans. In O'Brien's first year as head coach he started the Harvard grad in 12 games, and Houston was 6-6 in those contests. Fitz completed 63.1 percent of his passes for 2,483 yards. He had 17 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.
There's no reason to think he and O'Brien can't get back on the same page like they were a couple of seasons ago. Rumors are that the Texans will let Tom Savage and Osweiler compete for the starting job. It wouldn't hurt to add one more guy to that mix and try to find the best option possible.
