Acclaimed free agent linebacker might be missing piece for Texans defense
Acclaimed free agent linebacker might be missing piece for Texans defense
Unlike the previous three years, this Houston Texans roster doesn't have many holes. At least on paper they are strong at quarterback, loaded at wide receiver, lethal along the defensive line and solid on the back end of their defense.
One question mark that sticks out is the team's depth at inside linebacker, which took a significant hit when Blake Cashman left for the Minnesota Vikings in free agency. Filling that void would be a good way to fill out the initial 53-man roster before the real games begin in September.
One analyst has an idea to do so. In a new list from Lorenzo Reyna at Pro Football Network suggests they sign former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Shaq Leonard:
"Houston was among the most aggressive spenders in the offseason. Yet, they could use one more piece to top off the Texans’ loaded roster. With linebacker still a question mark, they could strike big by luring in a former Pro Bowl rival of theirs in Shaquille Leonard. The three-time Pro Bowler would help replace last year’s leading tackler Blake Cashman, who is now with the Minnesota Vikings."
You'll hear no objection from us. Leonard has the right mix of youth (he's 28), experience (71 starts) and acclaim (three All-Pros). He's especially adept at creating turnovers, having posted 12 interceptions and 17 forced fumbles in his career so far.
At the moment the Texans have around $20 million in cap space remaining for the 2024 season. That's more than enough to sign Leonard and boost a couple other positions that might need filling out if they're really going to make a deep playoff run in the AFC.