NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

NFL Free Agency 2019: Predicting the Houston Texans biggest moves

By Russell S. Baxter

HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 05: Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Houston Texans stretches before the game against the Indianapolis Colts during the Wild Card Round at NRG Stadium on January 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 05: Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Houston Texans stretches before the game against the Indianapolis Colts during the Wild Card Round at NRG Stadium on January 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – OCTOBER 25: Jonas Gray #29 of the Miami Dolphins rushes with the ball as Christian Covington #95 of the Houston Texans looks on at Sun Life Stadium on October 25, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – OCTOBER 25: Jonas Gray #29 of the Miami Dolphins rushes with the ball as Christian Covington #95 of the Houston Texans looks on at Sun Life Stadium on October 25, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /

4. Re-sign DE Chris Covington

The Houston Texans feature one of the top front-sevens in the league, led by star defensive end J.J. Watt, 2018 Pro Bowl inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney and five-year pro Jadeveon Clowney. The team has now slapped the franchise tag on the first pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. After a slow start to his career, the talented performer has come into his own and been named to the last three Pro Bowls.

General manager Brian Gaine has some decisions to make in terms of the defensive front. Nose tackle Brandon Dunn and reserve end Angelo Blackson could become free agents next week, as could 2015 sixth-round pick Christian Covington.

The latter has been an effective player and made a combined nine starts the past three seasons. In a total of 50 regular season contest these past four seasons, Covington has managed a total of 65 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He comes off a 2018 campaign in which he finished with 15 stops and a career-best 3.5 quarterback traps.

Depth along the defensive front is important for any team. In the case of the Texans, their front-seven failed to match up with the division rival Indianapolis Colts in the team’s last two meetings in 2018, including a 14 point playoff loss at Houston. Having Covington back in the fold would be very important for Bill O’Brien’s club.

Home/Houston Texans