Houston Texans free agency 2019: Top 5 targets

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 30: Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) rushes in during the football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans on December 30, 2018 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 06: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans speaks to T.J. Yeldon #24 of the Jacksonville Jaguars after a Titans victory at Nissan Stadium on December 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Jacksonville Jaguars RB T.J. Yeldon

Speaking of running the football, the Houston Texans could use some help in that department, too. Alfred Blue is set to hit the free agent market this offseason, and he’s honestly not worth keeping around. There’s no doubt that Blue would be cheap to re-sign, but there’s no need to keep a running back who isn’t really even a good enough No. 2 option to spell Miller.

D’Onta Foreman offers more than Blue, but given his own inconsistencies and injury struggles in 2018, the Texans would be best-served adding someone who can offer consistency and more in the passing game.

That option might just be lurking in their division. Jacksonville Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon received plenty of starting opportunities due to Leonard Fournette’s nagging hamstring injury, and he was honestly the best back on the roster this year. For chunks of the Jaguars nightmare of a 2018 season, he was their main bright spot on offense.

While that isn’t saying much, Yeldon did show considerable value in the passing game, which fans may not have anticipated coming into this season. He caught 55 passes for 487 yards and four touchdowns, finishing second behind future breakout star Dede Westbrook in receiving yards and scores.

Yeldon’s average of 4.0 yards per carry may not jump off the page, but compared to Fournette’s 3.3 and Carlos Hyde’s 3.3 averages, the former second-round pick out of Alabama’s work on the ground starts to look more impressive.

Honestly, Yeldon is probably overqualified for the Texans backup gig, but it might not be a bad idea to scoop him up and steal some more carries from Miller. While Miller is an underrated running back who can excel as a pure rusher, he offers far less than Yeldon in the passing game and benefits from working with a competent partner. Blue clearly isn’t that player, and Foreman still has plenty to prove.

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