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Houston Texans: 3 Bargains to target in 2019 NFL free agency

By Russell S. Baxter

HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 05: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans rushes with the ball during the fourth quarter 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: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans rushes with the ball during the fourth quarter 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) /
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CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 16: Jermey Parnell #78 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts after a 51-yard touchdown reception by Arrelious Benn against the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter of the game at Soldier Field on October 16, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Jaguars defeated the Bears 17-16. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 16: Jermey Parnell #78 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts after a 51-yard touchdown reception by Arrelious Benn against the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter of the game at Soldier Field on October 16, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Jaguars defeated the Bears 17-16. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. T Jermey Parnell (Released by Jacksonville Jaguars)

The unit known as the Houston Texans’ offensive line was substandard in 2018 and that’s being kind. The club tried to fix this group via free agency last offseason and it simply didn’t pan out. In truth, this is an aspect of the team that has been its albatross the past two years. More on that later.

Bill O’Brien’s squad was 14th in the NFL in rushing yards per game and allowed a disturbing 54 sacks in 2017. This past season, only seven teams in the league gained more yards on the ground than the Texans. But a big chunk of those 2,021 ground yards came from quarterback Deshaun Watson (551).

Houston also again had a problem with pass protections, giving up an NFL-worst 62 quarterback traps. The second-year signal-caller was also sacked three times in the wild card loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

The starting five up front from this past year remains pretty much intact, with the exception of Kendall Lamm. He made 13 starts at right tackle Seantrel Henderson, lost for the year after Week 1. But the latter figures as the starter on the right side in 2019. Still, the team could use a little experienced depth at that spot and Jermey Parnell, recently released by the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars, is certainly available as a short-term answer.

Perhaps the Texans should take a cue from their division rivals from Indianapolis (Quenton Nelson and Braden Smith in 2018) and look to the first two rounds of the draft to mend their offensive front. Houston has the 23rd overall pick in April and a pair of second-round selections (54 and 55) as well.

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