Houston Texans: Three reasons why to trade Jadeveon Clowney now

Reason #3:  The incredible haul that Clowney would command

Have you all even thought about the type of return that the Texans could get for Clowney?  It would be massive and there would be teams clamoring in line to be the next suitor for his services.

We can look no further than the trade heard ’round the world between the Oakland Raiders and the Chicago Bears with the latter acquiring Khalil Mack in exchange for two first-rounders (2019-20), a third-rounder (2020) and a sixth (2019).  The Raiders also sent back a 2020 second-round pick and a conditional 5th-rounder in the same draft year as well.

Mack also signed a six-year, $141 million extension that has made him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.

Clowney may not command as much as Mack but I think the Texans could get close to what the Raiders did.

But who would be a good trade partner?  The Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets and the Indianapolis Colts have gobs of cap space for eons to be able to absorb what Clowney wants over time.

The Browns are likely wary from helping the Texans fix their past mistakes/corrections (but that could change), the 49ers don’t necessarily have the draft picks I want and there’s no way in hell I’d trade Clowney within the division to the Colts, that’s just asking for trouble.

The ideal candidate?  The Jets.  They have $16.8 million in cap space this season but it balloons to $107.4 million in 2019 and $129.1 in 2020.  With Sam Darnold‘s contract being relatively cheap over the next five seasons or so, they can absorb Clowney’s contact easily.

In addition, the team already has a rapport with former Texans’ exec Mike McCagnan, who has been the general manager of the Jets since 2015.  He was formerly the team’s director of scouting

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before heading east.

What should be proposed?  I think the Texans should ask for two first-round picks (2019-20), a 4th-rounder (2019) and 7th-rounder (2020) to fill out the deal.  The team can send back a future third-round pick (preferably 2020) along with Clowney.  Will this be what it would take to push things over the top?  I certainly think so.

The Bottom Line

Making a trade for Clowney is certainly not the best interest of both parties but it would be the solution to what could possibly explode into a problem if the Texans are content on holding the line in ensuring that they’re not coerced into something that they don’t want to do.

I have strong inclination that this scenario has been run by Brian Gaine and Bill O’Brien but it hasn’t been carried through just yet.

The Texans could quickly replace Clowney’s void if my proposal is the one that’s actually put into motion.

Will it actually happen?  I would put the odds at somewhere around 45 percent.  Although there’s every reason for the Texans to make this deal, there are just as many that would be a counterpoint to pull the trigger such a move.

But with all things considered, if the move were made, I wouldn’t be opposed to it.  It would be absolutely reprehensible if this franchise allowed Clowney to walk in free agency without getting anything in return.

So that’s my stand, what’s yours?  Feel free to comment in the section below.

Clowney, 25, has amassed four tackles — one assisted — with zero sacks through two games this season.  His underwhelming PFF grades are:  67.6 overall, 74.1 run defense, 52.2 tackling, 55.5 pass rush and 60.6 in coverage.

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