Houston Texans Rumors: Five second tier free agents to target

The Houston Texans have championed Lamar Miller as their bell cow running all offseason so far. In some respects, it’s warranted but in others, it’s not. He’s been fairly inconsistent in his play and inefficient at times. However, some of that may be on the extremely porous offensive line.

Regardless, the team currently only has Miller and D’onta Foreman on the depth chart at running back for the 2019 season. So, a player needs to be added either in free agency or through the draft. If it’s a free agent, they’ll have to be relatively low cost since the Texans already have a decent amount of capital invested in the running back position.

Jay Ajayi could be just the free agent the Texans could be looking for. Ajayi is coming off of an October ACL tear which is driving down his market and his cost. Since the injury was suffered in October, he should be fine by early in the season. So, he could be a cost-effective option for a one year, prove it type deal to reestablish his value.

Ajayi is just two years removed from a 2016 campaign where he was one of the most dominant rushers in the entire league for the Dolphins. He rushed nearly for 1,300 yards and eight touchdowns on 4.9 yards per carry.

Last year, after he was traded to the Eagles, Ajayi played a crucial role in the team’s late-season run and subsequent Super Bowl push and victory. He was vital to that offense as he learned it and his role expanded.

Ajayi would be a relatively cheap add for the Houston Texans and he could make sure he gets to 100% while Miller and Foreman carry the load and he learns the offense. Then, once he’s full go, the Texans could have a very good, three-headed monster in the backfield with Watson.