NFL: Free agency fits for the top 10 teams in terms of cap space

#6. Houston Texans – Ja’Wuan James

While the Texans had a phenomenal run last year, winning nine straight games after starting the year 0-3, I said before the season even started that they had big holes on the offensive line, and that this will keep them from contending for a championship. While the defense struggled late, giving up an average of 26 points to the Colts, Jets and Eagles from weeks 14 to 16, I thought their biggest problem was the lack of protection for Deshaun Watson.

The young quarterback had a very rough game himself in the wildcard round against Indy, as the offense put up just seven points, and I thought a leader like him should not have made the comments he did in the postgame interview, but in general he was right that his O-line didn’t really give him a chance. He was under constant pressure in that matchup and while Watson gets himself into trouble by not being able to navigate inside the pocket in favor of backing off and escaping, this group up front might have been the worst in the league when it comes to the true dropback passing game.

Houston was eighth in the league in total rushing yards and middle of the pack in yards per attempt, which I was pleasantly surprised by, after saying that only one of those five guys on that line would start for another team in the league. This also opened up those play-action shots with Will Fuller clearing out space (as long as he was healthy) and DeAndre Hopkins catching everything thrown his way on deep crossers and comeback routes along the sideline.

However, when the Texans were in situation where the running game was not a threat and it was up to the offensive line to give Watson time to scan the field and let routes develop, they could not get it done. They allowed the most sacks and QB hits of all NFL teams despite having the eight-lowest percentage of pass plays.

In a weak offensive line group, former Dolphin Ja’Wuan James is a guy with a lot of upside. While he has missed 18 games of his rookie contract (five years), he has allowed a sack in less than every third game and would be an immense upgrade at right tackle, depending on what they do in the draft.