In just a few short weeks, the Houston Texans could be trading multiple players for draft capital. Before the 2021 season, many thought Houston was the worst team assembled in years. With the Deshaun Watson situation going at a snail’s pace, the Texans may take the next few weeks to trade away their former franchise quarterback to the Miami Dolphins. While that is fun to assume, there are three other trades the Texans could make at the deadline to gain some additional draft capital for their rebuild.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Trade Deadline Previews.
The Texans Current Status
Current Record: 1-4
Division Standings: Third in AFC South
In The Playoff Picture: No
Buyers or Sellers: Sellers
Current NFL Draft Slot: Third Overall
Potential Trade #1: Brandin Cooks to the Green Bay Packers for 2022 third and fifth-round picks
Cooks has been the primary playmaker for Houston this year. Through six games, he has had 57 targets and caught 40 passes for 481 yards and a touchdown. Cooks has been targeted five or more times in every game this season and caught five or more passes in all but one. With the Texans in a full rebuild, it would be wise to move the veteran to a contender and receiver-needy team in return for multiple draft picks. The picks the Texans receive will have to be higher ones, as they will incur a dead cap hit of $4.2 million in 2021 and $7.5 million in 2022.
The Green Bay Packers are a perfect example of a contending team that needs wide receiver help. They are most likely in the last year of the Aaron Rodgers era, with a desperate need at the second receiver spot with Marquez Valdes-Scantling on IR and a lack of consistency from Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard. Adding a player like Cooks is a no brainer.
The Packers have been more aggressive than ever before this season with Brian Gutekunst. They’ve acquired players such as Cobb, Corey Bojorquez, De’Vondre Campbell, Jaylon Smith, and others in recent months. While they couldn’t find a way to trade for Stephon Gilmore and be under the salary cap, that won’t be a concern if they were to acquire Cooks. The Texans’ receiver would only hold a cap hit of $1.46 million for the remainder of 2021 and the playoffs. The number moves up to $13 million in 2022, but with no guarantees. Green Bay’s third round picks haven’t been good of late, so ship that selection to Houston and a mid-day three pick and call it a day.
Potential Trade #2: Terrance Mitchell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a 2022 fifth-round pick
Another veteran player that the Texans have gotten decent production from is Mitchell. While the Houston secondary has been porous as a whole, the veteran has been the best of the group. Through the first five weeks, Mitchell has only allowed 55 percent of passes against him to be completed for 172 yards and a touchdown. He is also only allowing six yards per catch.
Tampa Bay has been decimated by injuries on the backend and even signed Richard Sherman to help combat the injuries. Well, in his first bit of action as a Buccaneer, Sherman himself got injured. A good cornerback is hard to come by at the trade deadline. Tampa Bay is contending for consecutive Super Bowl titles this year. Adding a veteran cornerback who can provide valuable depth and be a spot-starter is a good idea, and it’s only for a day three pick.
Potential Trade #3: Phillip Lindsay to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2022 seventh-round pick
The Texans have a vault of running backs that have done next to nothing this year. Mark Ingram has gotten the bulk of the carries and hasn’t done much behind an offensive line that desperately needs improvement. Lindsay is a running back who has something left in the tank and can be traded for next to nothing. The Chiefs have been interested in Marlon Mack over the last few weeks, but if they can’t trade for Mack, maybe Lindsay is another option at a smaller price.
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