Fansided

NFL free agency 2019: Grades for every team

By Kevin Parvizi

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25: Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants yells prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25: Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants yells prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 04: Denver Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby (29) returns an interception for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars December 4, 2016 at EverBank Field. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 04: Denver Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby (29) returns an interception for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars December 4, 2016 at EverBank Field. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

Houston Texans

Key Additions: CB Bradley Roby, FS Tashaun Gipson, CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun, LT Matt Kalil

Key Departures: S Tyrann Mathieu, WR Demaryius Thomas, DB Kareem Jackson, CB Kevin Johnson, CB Kayvon Webster

Grade: C-

The Houston Texans weren’t going to be able to keep all of their talented defensive backs on expiring contracts, but it’s quite striking that they were unable to hold onto any of Tyrann Mathieu, Kareem Jackson, or Kevin Johnson. It seemed like they’d at least be able to hold onto Jackson or Mathieu, but both players left to the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively, where they should enjoy strong 2019 campaigns.

That said, Houston did, for the most part, find adequate replacements for those three. Tashaun Gipson is an above-average starting free safety, Bradley Roby isn’t short on ability, and Briean Boddy-Calhoun has a knack for coming up with big plays and can cover the slot. Still, the three players they added aren’t quite as dynamic as the three players they lost, and it will be interesting to see how the Houston pass defense is affected in 2019.

But the main reason why the Texans should be criticized this offseason is their inability to make any real upgrades at their biggest position of need – the offensive line.

Last year, Deshaun Watson, the best quarterback in the Texans franchise history, was sacked a league-high 62 times. On approximately every one of his ten dropbacks, he was brought down for a sack.

So the Texans solution to protecting their franchise quarterback and by far their most important player? Signing Matt Kalil, one of the NFL’s weakest offensive tackles.

Houston’s line is a disaster zone, and life won’t get any easier for Watson or running back Lamar Miller behind that starting five. Upgrades must be made in the draft, but Houston should have done more to target their weaknesses up front; it didn’t even seem like they made a serious push to sign star left tackle Trent Brown.

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