Houston Texans: Elite Cornerback Agrees to 4 Year Deal
By T.A. Mock
HThe Houston Texans have made their first splash into the 2018 free agent pool. The club has agreed to terms with Aaron Colvin. Colvin, a former fourth round pick, comes by way of division rival, the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Houston Texans fans — Aaron Colvin is the best slot corner available in this year’s free agent class. He is also arguably one of top five corners available, period. However, with this agreement still occurring in the “legal tampering” period, this could still change though it is unlikely. Colvin should officially be a Texan after 4 pm Wednesday afternoon.
Colvin was a part of a STELLAR Jaguars defense that had the best trio of corners in the league. Jalen Ramsey and former Texan AJ Bouye are sure to miss their running mate next year.
According to PFF, graded out as an 80 last year for the Jaguars. PFF also regarded Colvin as the one player the Jaguars must resign. So, to steal a stud from a division rival is always a major positive. Similarly to what the Jaguars did to the Houston Texans last year with Bouye.
The biggest knock against Colvin is he hasn’t intercepted a pass in his four year career. However, Colvin was one of the best in the league when it came to yards per snap. He allowed only 0.75 yards per snap. He also allowed only one catch per every ten snaps, good for top twenty in the league.
Colvin should come in and immediately upgrade the secondary. He fits well into Romeo Crennel’s defense and should be familiar with the system coming from a division rival.
With Colvin locked in, how does this affect the rest of the Houston Texans plan?
Some have argued that with the signing of Colvin, the Houston Texans will be out on all cornerbacks. I don’t think this will be the case. The Houston Texans’ secondary needs a lot of work and placing Colvin in the slot will not fix all of those issues. Expect the team to still try to woo Malcolm Butler or Trumaine Johnson to come to Houston.
What about Kareem Jackson?
True, Jackson has been the Texans’ primary guy in the slot his entire career. He is better in the slot than he is on the outside. However, this signing may mean Jackson plays more outside than inside this year.
If the team keeps him, that is.
Jackson is in the final year of his second contract and the Texans could release him to save $6+ million. This isn’t out of the question as Jackson has been around before Bill O’Brien, Romeo Crennel, and Brian Gaine were all with team.
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Regardless, the Texans seem far from done in free agency, especially when it comes to the secondary. Look for the team to add at least one more player to this unit. Decisions on Jackson and whether or not to bring back Johnathan Joseph should also be coming in the next few weeks.
Go Texans!