Texans Trade Scenario: Writer suggests moving on from veteran
The Texans did a fantastic job of adding talent in free agency and in the 2023 NFL Draft. Because of this, the team now holds much more depth than years prior. There are several position battles that will take place in Houston this summer, showing how far the team has come. However, when talent is […]
The Texans did a fantastic job of adding talent in free agency and in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Because of this, the team now holds much more depth than years prior. There are several position battles that will take place in Houston this summer, showing how far the team has come.
However, when talent is added, previous roster locks can find themselves on the outside looking in. Such could be the case for one respected veteran in particular.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently compiled a list of the player each team should consider trading before the 2023 season.
When it came to Houston, Knox selected veteran edge defender Jerry Hughes.
Hughes signed a two-year, $10M deal with the Texans before the 2022 season. During that season, Hughes collected 9 sacks, which led the Texans in the category by a wide margin. So why would the team cut its best pass rusher?
Well, for starters, Hughes is no longer the best pass rusher on the team. I feel comfortable with that assessment given that Will Anderson Jr. is now on the roster. A combination of Anderson, Chase Winovich, Jonathan Greenard, Dylan Horton, and Jacob Martin should more than suffice.
Additionally, Hughes will turn 35 before the start of the 2023 season. For a team as young as the Texans, there are players who could use those snaps more than Hughes.
Knox added the following assessment:
As a team that isn't likely to do a lot of winning in 2023, the Texans should try moving 34-year-old pass-rusher Jerry Hughes. He was signed to a new two-year, $10 million deal last offseason but isn't likely to stick around after this one.
Getting a draft package to help aid the ongoing restructuring before losing Hughes in free agency would be logical. And the Texans should be able to get a reasonable return for him.
Though he's in the twilight of his career, Hughes is still effective in a rotation. He recorded nine sacks and 19 quarterback pressures last season, despite playing only 59 percent of the defensive snaps.
Knox mentions that a contender would likely love to have a player like Hughes on the roster, and the Texans would love to add more draft capital.
Featured image via © Troy Taormina | 2022 Oct 30
