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Houston Texans: 5 Possible Jadeveon Clowney trade partners

By Cody Williams

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 18: Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Houston Texans celebrates after a sack against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter of the game at FedExField on November 18, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. The Texans won 23-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 18: Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Houston Texans celebrates after a sack against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter of the game at FedExField on November 18, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. The Texans won 23-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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With Jadeveon Clowney not showing up to Houston Texans minicamp, the possibility he could be traded can’t be ignored. Where could the edge rusher land?

Early in the 2019 NFL offseason, the Houston Texans placed the franchise tag on star edge rusher and the first overall pick in 2014, Jadeveon Clowney. The hope was that the tag would give the team and player the opportunity to iron out a long-term deal. That, however, has not happened. Subsequently, Clowney began a holdout of sorts as he did not report to the Texans’ mandatory minicamp.

On the surface, it may seem like this is business as usual as the Texans and Clowney continue to try and come to terms on a contract. And that may well be the case — but given the fact that Yahoo!’s Charles Robinson said in late April that Houston put out trade feelers for Clowney around the time of the Frank Clark trade from Seattle to Kansas City, you have to wonder if some of those talks are still happening.

This is not to say that it’s a foregone conclusion that Jadeveon Clowney will be traded. Having said that, it does seem as if it is within the realm of possibility that it could happen. With that in mind, let’s take a look at five potential trade partners for the Texans to make a deal with if they wind up going that route.

One thing worth noting before we get in: The Indianapolis Colts, in terms of the salary cap room and fit, would make the most sense for Clowney. But being in the AFC South with the Texans likely means that trade would never happen. As such, the Colts won’t be on this list of potential trade partners. These next five teams, however, are.

5. Oakland Raiders

With the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders selected Clelin Ferrell out of Clemson. The arrival of Ferrell answers a glaring need for Jon Gruden’s team, one ultimately self-created with the Khalil Mack trade prior to the 2018 season. Having said that, the Raiders edge-rusher situation isn’t completely set. After all, unproven and question-raising Arden Key is set to start opposite of Ferrell in 2019.

While signs point to Key potentially being much more effective in the upcoming season, the Raiders could instantly upgrade their pass rush in a massive way by trading for Jadeveon Clowney. Bringing him in would not only relegate Key to a rotational role where he’s likely better suited but would also make Ferrell much more effective. Put simply, Oakland needs more talent on defense and Clowney fits the bill.

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