4 Safeties the Houston Texans should target in 2019 NFL free agency

2. Landon Collins, New York Giants

After a dominant breakout season in 2016, Landon Collins has been one of the league’s top safeties in the league. Collins can do it all; he can line up near the line of scrimmage as a hybrid linebacker and rush the passer or cover tight ends, as well as stay back and cover wide receivers. Collins is also an excellent run stopper, which is where he may be best.

Collins had five interceptions, four sacks, a touchdown, and nine tackles for a loss during his elite breakout 2016 season. Since then, Collins has two interceptions, zero sacks and eight tackles for a loss combined during 2017 and 2018, as well as missing five games in the last two years. There is reason to be cautious that his 2016 season was his ceiling and we may never see him return to that level.

That being said, Collins is still among the NFL’s best and will receive one of the largest safety contracts this offseason — which is why the Texans may be better off to let someone else sign him to a large deal, which could be worth as much as $10 million per year for the next four to five years.

The Texans need help against the pass, which Collins would provide, but he may not provide as much as some other free agent safeties when it comes to the passing game.