Houston Texans free agency 2019: Top 5 targets

Denver Broncos TE Jeff Heuerman

Tyler Eifert and Jared Cook, who caught 68 passes for 896 yards in a highly impressive age-32 campaign this past season, are the two biggest names on the free agent market at the tight end position. But the Texans may be more interested in going with a less proven commodity in the hopes of scoring a bargain by signing a talented young tight end on a prove-it deal.

Jeff Heuerman could be that addition for the Texans offense. He had trouble getting his career off the ground due to injuries and poor coaching decisions, but when the Broncos finally gave him a chance near the end of the 2018 season, he showed flashes.

Starting-quality material, the formerly-touted third-round pick out of Ohio State has an opportunity to make a name for himself outside of Denver. Heuerman’s value takes a hit after he suffered a season-ending ribs/lung injury in late November, but that might honestly be a good thing for a team like the Texans.

Watson needs a better option at the tight end position than Ryan Griffin, who has never broken out after initially showing potential years ago as a plus-athlete. Griffin averaged just 21.8 yards per game with zero touchdowns last season, whereas Heuerman caught two scores in  his last four games and averaged more yards per game than Griffin.

Heuerman hasn’t looked like a star, but he outplayed Griffin last year with fewer opportunities in a much worse Broncos offense. He’s a candidate to make a leap with a team like the Texans, and if he does impress, the Texans could elect to part ways with Griffin and save money on his bonuses. Or they could pair them together to give defenses different looks. Either way, the Texans need a tight end, and going after a 26-year-old with upside sounds better than getting into a bidding war for a 32-year-old Cook. Though, admittedly, Cook is the sure thing after being one of the league’s top pass-catching tight ends last year.