Houston Texans spent the trade deadline day largely on the sidelines

The NFL trade deadline came and went with the Houston Texans largely hanging out on the sidelines. Why was that the case when they needed to replace Watt?

It’s that time of the year Houston Texans fans and it’s typical that the NFL trade deadline causes lots of frenzy among fanbases. Although trades aren’t as common as they are in the NBA as well as MLB, they still do happen and once it does, they’re the type of stories that dominate headlines.

The trade of New York Jets’ safety Jamal Adams to the Dallas Cowboys is the one that football fans alike have their eyes on and it seems it was hammered out shortly before the deadline.

I have to begrudgingly admit this but the Cowboys always grab the headlines even though that there far from the best team in America but because their brand it’s so established worldwide, it’s something to be expected.

Nonetheless, you’d think with the Houston Texans losing their most marketable player in the organization over nearly the past decade would prompt them to scurry to make a deal, you’ve obviously been mistaken.

Bill O’Brien already had expressed that the likelihood of a deal being done is “slim to none,” so we already knew how they stood from the get-go.

Besides, the Houston Texans have already given up a lot of future capital to nab the likes of Laremy Tunsil, Kenny Stills and most recently Gareon Conley. To a lesser extent, they were able to acquire linebackers Barkevious Mingo and Jacob Martin but both have provided little impact to the unit’s defensive strategy.

The Houston Texans gave up two first-round picks (2020-21) and a second-round pick (2021) in order to make that all happen. Plus, the franchise traded their 2020 third-round pick acquired from Seattle Seahawks in the Jadeveon Clowney trade to the Oakland Raiders for Conley.

Conley reportedly was not the team’s first choice but it was the Denver Broncos’ CB Chris Harris. They obviously couldn’t come to terms and he still has not been moved out of the Mile High City. It’s possible a separation could occur this offseason as he will be a free agent.

The Carlos Hyde trade was virtually a swap that cost the Houston Texans next to nothing and with Martinas Rankin still figuring things out with the Kansas City Chiefs and trade counterpart flourishing, there’s no question of who got the better end of that trade.

That might change with three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt being sidelined for the remainder of the season with a pectoral muscle injury.

Whitney Mercilus may not be as effective as he will be the one commanding the double and triple-team teams instead of Watt. Mercilus had the luxury of having a terrific start to the season as a result of the Clowney trade so that he could emerge off the face of the milk carton that he had been featured on.

But the team does have Brennan Scarlett, rookie Charles Omenihu as well as Carlos Watkins and Angelo Blackson to fill in some rather large shoes.

I’ve always loved Blackson’s energy and explosiveness so he’s going to get that opportunity to

More from House of Houston

shine, create some pressure and get some sacks. This may help him more and we’re definitely going to see more of Watkins, who has had some bright spots in limited playing time, an opportunity to show his worth.

Omenihu is the dark horse and has been getting a considerable amount of snaps each game to get him acclimated to the rigors of the NFL.

The Houston Texans are obviously confident that these three men will be able to hold the fort down as Watt heals to get ready for next season.

So the team could’ve gone after Vic Beasley, Yannick Ngakoue or Patrick Peterson but they feel the guys they have in the building give them the best chance to win and I think that’s fair and likely true.

Regardless, the most important thing for the Houston Texans need to do is to get healthy as they have Laremy Tunsil, Tytus Howard, Johnathan Joseph, Will Fuller, Bradley Roby and Roderick Johnson on the shelf. Lonnie Johnson Jr. could be out this week after sustaining a concussion.

dark. Next. Texans: Gareon Conley's arrival has yielded mixed results

There’s a lot at stake this season but the franchise must be careful not to pull all of their future eggs in the basket just to keep the 2019 season in the balance. That’s why I’m perfectly fine with the team’s stance.

And for that — let’s hope these backup defensive linemen do their due diligence and help this team win games!

Go Houston Texans!

Home/Houston Texans