5 Texans who should be dealt at the Nov. 2 trade deadline
The 2021 Houston Texans appear to be a lost cause as Week 7 comes to a close.
The Texans are 1-6 and can look forward to hosting the 6-1 Los Angeles Rams at NRG Stadium. The Rams are in the same division as the 7-0 Arizona Cardinals, and can ill afford to have any crooked numbers in the loss column.
Meanwhile the Tennessee Titans are running away with the division at 5-2, and the Indianapolis Colts appear to have found their stride. The question now becomes whether the Texans can stay above the Jacksonville Jaguars to avoid the AFC South basement.
As such, it’s Houston’s job to do a review of their roster and extract maximum value for players who don’t project well into the 2022 team.
Of course, the inevitable Deshaun Watson transaction will take care of itself, and won’t be included in this list.
Here are five players the Texans ought to consider trading at the Nov. 2 trade deadline.
S Lonnie Johnson
(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Johnson has struggled in his career with the Texans and he’s fared no better at safety under Lovie Smith than he did the year prior under Romeo Crennell.
Asking price: Day 3 pick, sixth or seventh round. If general manager Nick Caserio can get that haul for Johnson, it would be a win for the front office.
(AP Photo/Justin Rex)
After a dominant preseason, Omenihu has been inactive for two of the past three weeks. He appears to be the odd man out in a crowded Houston defensive line room, and it seems he has fallen out of favor with the coaching staff.
Asking price: Day 3 selection (fourth through seventh round).
LB Zach Cunningham
(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Cunningham was tabbed by previous coach and general manager Bill O’Brien to be the captain of the defense for years to come with a massive extension. In 2021, just a year later, Cunningham has seriously struggled to succeed in Smith’s 4-3 defense. Cunningham is a nice player but the large contract will be prohibitive to any team trying to trade for him.
Asking price: realistically the Texans could hope for a fourth- or fifth-round pick.
(AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Cooks is Houston’s only dangerous offensive weapon. However, he’s also the team’s best trade bait entering the deadline. With a plethora of good, young receivers entering the league every year, Caserio shouldn’t hesitate to trade Cooks if the right value presents itself.
Asking price: A second-round selection or a third-round pick with a Day 3 pick would be a huge return for Cooks.
(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Reid is young, good football player, which are actually two things the Texans sorely need moving forward. However, as an impending free agent and one who may not want to sign onto a rebuild without a huge pay day, it may be best for the Texans to move on.
Asking price: late day 2 selection (second round, third round) with another Day 3 pick (fourth through seventh round) is probably appropriate value for the young safety.
1
1
