A narrow loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday has only muddied the Houston Texans’ potential strategy ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.
Houston now sits at 3-4 on the year — 2.5 games back on the Jacksonville Jaguars for first place in the AFC South — but is just one game out of a potential playoff spot, though it is early in the year.
That reality leaves Texans general manager Nick Caserio with plenty to consider ahead of the deadline.
Houston Texans Trade Deadline Moves
Trade LB Denzel Perryman
Denzel Perryman has seen sporadic playing time since signing a one-year, $2.6 million contract with Houston this offseason.
The veteran linebacker made his fourth appearance of the season in Sunday’s 15-13 loss to the Panthers, tallying nine tackles (six solo), one tackle for a loss, and 0.5 sacks on the day. He came into the game with 21 tackles (12 solo) and one tackle for a loss in three previous appearances, all starts.
The one-time Pro Bowler earned that honor after posting a career year in 2021 when he tallied 154 tackles (102 solo), five tackles for a loss, two interceptions, and two pass breakups. He has not been consistently available for many of his other seasons but has been productive when he’s played and should still command some value on the trade market.
Dealing Perryman could make sense for the Texans, given the fact that his contract expires this summer, and he does not exactly fit their timeline for rising to contention. The Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills are among the teams that could use help at linebacker and thus might be interested in Perryman.
Even if the Texans buy at the deadline, moving Perryman for some draft capital could make sense.
Acquire D.J. Jones, DT, Denver Broncos
Defensive tackle is one position at which Houston could stand to add value if it decides to buy at the deadline, and D.J. Jones would certainly help in that regard.
The seventh-year veteran has become a consistent starter over the last four seasons and continued in that role this fall. Jones posted 34 tackles (22 solo), six pass breakups, three tackles for a loss, and two sacks for the Denver Broncos last season. He has remained somewhat productive this season with 15 tackles (11 solo) and one tackle for a loss in seven starts.
MORE: Houston Texans Depth Chart
The Texans would hope to maximize Jones’ talent the way Denver did last year and the San Francisco 49ers did in 2021. His contract could be a stumbling block with $10 million in base salary this year and another $9.49 million in 2024, but Houston might be able to free up cap space if it feels Jones would be a difference-maker.
The Broncos are expected to remain sellers at the deadline and have already gotten rid of multiple players in recent weeks. It’s unlikely Jones or many other players on their roster would be off the table.
Either way, the Texans are certainly in need of help on the defensive line, and Jones is among the players who could fill that need.
Acquire Xavier McKinney, S, New York Giants
Houston could also use some help at safety, and Xavier McKinney is one potentially available player who could certainly fill a need there.
The fourth-year defensive back has been a productive player in his time with the New York Giants, including 93 tackles (59 solo), 10 pass breakups, five interceptions, and one pick-six in 2021. He made just nine appearances last year but has taken the field for all eight games this season and is up to 43 tackles (34 solo), six pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
McKinney is also in the final year of his rookie deal, which will pay him just over $1.75 million in base salary this season. That could make him easier for the Texans to bring in and more attractive for New York to deal him if it does not intend to re-sign him.
The Giants’ current 2-6 record, including losses in five of their last six games, should also incentivize them to move on from a few players for what value they can garner.
This feels like a deal that could make plenty of sense for both teams — at the right price, of course.
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