Houston Texans: The only deal that needs to made at the deadline

With the NFL trade deadline looming in on the league, the Houston Texans will most likely be buyers at the deadline. Here is why the team is in a great position to make a huge deal:

When the Houston Texans were 0-3, most people were ready to call the season quits and focus on the NFL draft and next season. However, after 4 weeks the team has scratched and clawed to a 4-3 record and are currently leading the AFC South.

The Texans have a winnable game against the Dolphins tonight and with a win, they will be 5-3. Now, a 5-3 record after starting 0-3 is pretty darn good. It means they’re one of the hottest teams in the NFL and are a serious threat in the playoff picture.

However, with the 4-3 or 5-3 record, this team has their fair share of problems. One of the most obvious ones is the offensive line and mainly it’s left tackle that is the root of the problem.

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Let’s face it, Julien Davenport has been abysmal when he’s on the field. Either he’s not ready to play at the NFL level or he’s not good enough to play at the NFL level. Regardless, he’s for sure a Rick Smith whiff and isn’t cutting it as the every week starter for the Houston Texans.

If Davenport is bad against the Dolphins Thursday night, Brian Gaine should get on the phone with this team and make a deal for…

The Houston Texans should trade for 49ers LT Joe Staley

This guy is the definition of a franchise LT. Joe Staley, from 2011-2015, played in every single game for the 49ers. In 2017, he played 15 out of 15 games at the age of 33. I think if the Texans acquire him they won’t have to worry about LT for a while due to his tract record of being healthy.

Staley is 34 years old currently towards the end of a six-year, $44 million dollar deal. If the team does acquire him, his cap hit will be $10 million in 2018 and 2019. I think acquiring Staley will allow the team to also draft a LT and build him up so when he retires or walks away from the game in 2020, this franchise will have a solid LT in place who learned under one of the greatest left tackles to ever play the game.

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Now, there might be a heavy price to pay to land Joe Staley as he has been a 49er for his whole 13 year NFL career. But the 49ers could let him go to the Texans in exchange for a few picks considering they are going to build around Jimmy Garoppolo for the next few seasons. I would rather have a LT who’s reliable and will KEEP DESHAUN WATSON ON HIS FEET rather than Davenport who is pretty much proven to be a turnstile at the left tackle position.

Staley is currently the 8th best NFL offensive lineman in football according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), with a grade of 79.4. Davenport currently is the 70th best offensive lineman with the eye popping grade of 47.4. I’ll let you be the judge on who’s better for Watson and the Texans…

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If the Houston Texans want to continue to be hot and make a playoff push while having Watson on his feet, they should strongly consider trading for a stalwart up front in Staley. Your move Brian Gaine, your move.

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.

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