Watt’s tenure ends an era where the Texans had an incredible level of talent which resulted in zero Super Bowl appearances. Now even the franchise player Deshaun Watson is requesting a trade.

Watt made it clear that he loves TEXAS but he is moving on from the TEXANS. What does that mean? Could it mean JJ Watt is going to the Cowboys? Hmmm…..

Houston, I wanted you to hear this directly from me… pic.twitter.com/YqT3P6Lb6l

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) February 12, 2021

Why did the Rockets do this?

Very simple reason. It sets them up for success in a post Lebron/post Durant NBA.

The players that the Rockets got back are all on the last year of their contracts. They will not be there longterm. The Rockets can even flip them and picks now for a young star like Bradley Beal (though John Wall would probably not like that.)

The Rockets are playing the long game. They have expirings, picks that go until 2027, and get cap space in the immediate future. The Rockets can reboot and trade up for a Cade Cunningham in the draft, or just wait and build their team for the next six seasons as giants like Lebron, Curry, and Durant retire.

Details of the James Harden Trade

The NBA is a “win now” culture but there is something to be said for building for the future. Especially in a market like Houston where you will always attract free agents and young players will want to resign. If the Rockets play their cards right they can rebuild and be one of the teams on the rise in the second half of the 2020’s!

The Colts have 9 draft picks and $100 million in cap room in 2019, so if the Texans miss on this draft/free agency it will likely cost them in the long run. These picks have to count with a division foe being so rich in assets.

So what should happen?

Draft expert Cowboysfan1993 is back with his picks.

His 2019 Houston Texans mock draft below:

1. Texans: TJ Hockenson TE Iowa

Round 1 TJ Hockenson is the best TE in my opinion. Noah Fant receives a lot of attention due to athletic traits, but Hockenson is a better overall player right now. He compares favorably to Kittle. He’s not as athletic, but he’s a better route runner. He can be a safety blanket for Watson. He is a load to bring down. He muscles his way for first downs. As a blocker he’s excellent. He isn’t content with getting in the way, he wants to maul you. The Texans haven’t had a good TE in a while, and having a large target near the line of scrimmage can really help Watson.

2. Texans: Yodny Cajuste OT WVU

Round 2 Cajuste is a highly athletic OT. He’s 6’6″ about 320 lbs. and he carries that eight well. He has light feet, which give him a lot of advnatages as a pass blocker. As a run blocker he can get push, and get to the 2nd level. He latches on defenders and simply won’t let go. I love this prospect, but there are inconsistencies. His technique can at times be all over the place, which is why he’s a day two pick and not a day one pick. The Texans can proudly boast they have one of the worst O line in the league, so they need to rectify that.

3. Texans: Chris Lindstrom OG Boston College

Round 2 The Texans like the Colts try to double dip here. They grab an OG to help bolster that team even quicker. Is a very experienced player having played in 38 games. Has a naturally strong base. Gives up little ground in the pass protection, but he is rarely asked to block. The few times he’s asked to pass protect, he’s been good. I’d suggest he play in a run first offense or a very balanced one. He is excellent as a run blocker though. Getting combo blocks and getting to the second level. He would immediately be a solid starter, with potential to be even more.

4. Texans: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson CB Florida

Round 3 The Texans secondary is pretty meh overall. The lack good safety play and their CB are pretty suspect at times. They get Johnson. I think he’s a great nickel player. Can play S or slot CB. With the way the NFL has shifted finding an eite slot CB is a premium now. Johnson struggled a bit as a tackler last year, and was inconsistent covering. That script has been flipped this year. As a tackler he’s among the best in his class. In coverage, he’s done better in zone. Still working his way as a man coverage guy, but he could provide a boost to the Texans secondary that has been woeful.

5. Texans: Trayveon Williams RB Texas A&M

Round 5 The Texans have several RB in Miller and Foreman. I think they could move on from Miller who hasn’t been what they’ve expected. Williams is more of a 2nd RB on most teams, but he ahs some shiftiness in his game and hits the hole quick and hard. Isn’t great in the open field, but will get the yards he needs to by getting skinny and getting the necessary yardage. Foreman would be the battering ram, and Williams will be the home run hitter.

And the hate is so real for Texans QB Brock Osweiler.

Texans fans learned just what Broncos fans learned after seven games last year. The novelty of a strong armed 6’8 QB is not all that when at the end of the day he’s still a 6’8 QB.

6’8 QB’s are huge targets for the defense, easier to read, and naturally have wider throwing motions due to their arms. No excuses but it is what is is, and Brock Osweiler sure does struggle with the turnovers (8 TD, 8 INT, 5 FUM so far.)

Texans fans have had enough and are raising the money to pay Brock and get rid of him NOW:

The post reads as:

“I am a die hard Texans fan and we need to get rid of Brock Osweiler or we’re not going anywhere. He is a waste of 72 million and for a dollar a day we can get him out and make Deandre Hopkins happy.”
Another one:

“I like many of you fellow Houston Texan fans have suffered long enough this season with a blind man playing quarterback. Suddenly, Ryan Fitzmagic and Brian Hoyer don’t seem so bad. The Houston Texans paid 80 million dollars for an Airmen, which are those huge inflatable people outside of car dealer ships and such. I am done having Hellen Keller at QB for this great organization. We deserve better. Osweiler is not only screwing this team, but also my fantasy team. Deandre Hopkins last year put up insane numbers with Brian Hoyer. Yes the same Brian Hoyer who even the Browns did not want back. I expected a lot from Nuk this year. However, he can’t perform if he is consistently getting screwed by the QB.”

That’s right.

The sure handed wideout has decided to hold out on the Texans until he is taken care of:

Houston (CBS HOUSTON) –

UPDATE:The Texans have released a statement from general manager Rick Smith.

“We are disappointed DeAndre has elected not to report to training camp with the rest of his teammates. He has expressed his position regarding his contract status, and we have been clear with both he and his representatives of ours. Our focus is on the 2016 season and all of our collective efforts and attention with be centered on that endeavor.”

The Houston Texans number one wide receiver left training camp on Saturday a day before full-squad squad practice looking for a new deal.

Per me and@AdamSchefter, unhappy with his contract, Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins has left camp. Holdout underway. Texans aren’t negotiating.

— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli)July 30, 2016

Hopkins in entering his fourth season of his rookie contract. Last week he said that he wanted to be paid “what he’s worth” but didn’t specify. Now he believes he is worth more than he is currently making.

The Texans traditionally resign players before their rookie deals expire like they did with J.J. Watt in 2014 (two years before his deal was up) and Whitney Mercilus in 2015. The Texans can pick up a 5th year option for just over $7 million for the 2017 season if Hopkins comes back and they don’t extend him.

Hopkins is likely looking for a new contract that will get him around $14 million a year and $35-$40 million guaranteed. He possibly could be the highest paid wide receiver in the league if he gets a new deal.

If the Texans are smart they will re-up Hopkins before Antonio Brown hits the market again. Looks like we won’t see DeAndre until this thing is settled.

For those counting, Hopkins put up 111 catches for 1,521 yards and 11 TD last year.

UPDATE:

After a one-day holdout, DeAndre Hopkins is returning to Texans, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 31, 2016

Part of the pursuit campaign are new black and gray uniforms which will be part of the Rockets’ alternates.

Let’s break these down.

Black Away Uniforms with White Numbers

These are pretty cool actually. I’m not a fan of the checkerboard and I have no clue if it has any Houston significance. These should sell well as they match a lot of shoes.

Gray Away/Home Uniforms with Black Numbers

These are…. interesting. I think Dwight Howard’s face in the photo says it all. Again, the checkerboard is there only more pronounced with white checks. What are those black lines for on the shoulders? Not to mention the God awful sleeves.

They may look cool in a video game but in real life…. ehh….

Red Away Uniforms with Yellow Numbers

Again, why do they continue to make this jersey without white numbers?!!! It’s like it makes too much sense just to do the right thing. The bold “CLUTCH CITY” text looks dumb too. Yeah, that will show them you mean business. We’ll splatter the word CLUTCH on our chests.

All in all these are pretty bad I won’t lie, but the black jerseys are cool. The Rockets in general have just a bad collection of uniforms.

It might be time for the Rockets to just ditch their whole current brand and relaunch.

The Rockets revealed new 'Clutch City' and 'Space City' alternate uniforms. Yay or nay? http://t.co/AcNTu3MBKZ pic.twitter.com/UxBM54vbOQ

— theScore (@theScore) September 16, 2015

The Houston Texans have officially earned the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 29, 2013

Who will the Texans pick? Teddy Bridgewater would be nice to start a new era at Quarterback. Anthony Barr would be a nice piece to fit with Brian Cushing and Whitney Mercilus. Jadeveon Clowney might be the new Mario Williams.

To see who we have projected the Texans selecting, please check out the latest mock draft.

Let’s not kid ourselves here, the only options are Houston and Los Angeles. Atlanta and Golden State are pipe dreams.

Well according to an accountant interviewed by ESPN, the decision may come down to the finances. Howard stands to net $2.6 million more dollars AFTER TAXES if he moves to Texas.

If you ask me, for any man rich or poor it’s an easy decision:

Howard could get only a four-year max deal by going somewhere else and would make $1.7 million less per season, but could still come out on top if he signs with the Houston Rockets or Dallas Mavericks and makes his home in Texas, a state that has no income tax. Over a four-year period, Howard would gross $94.4 million off a contract with the Lakers and $87.6 million from a contract with an NBA team in Texas, but Raiola says the difference in the state income tax between California and Texas would result in Howard netting $2.6 million more from a Texas-based team. That’s even including jock taxes, which are the taxes Howard would have to pay states when he plays on the road. “If Dwight signs with the Lakers, it would be ideal if he could play in California but not be a resident in the state,” Raiola said.

ESPN.com

Now back at his playing weight (190+) and running a sub 4.4 many scouts (official team scouts) are impressed. There is a lot of talk about Hayden being the first or second corner off the board.

DJ has some field rust but once he gets back in rhythm he should snap back to form. We’ve already seen that he can run and is in shape. The heart injury was a once in a lifetime freak occurrence. No team should shy away from drafting him if given the chance.

Adam Schefter reports:

This is not to make room for Peyton Manning: Texans cut quarterback Matt Leinart.

Drafted 10 overall from USC in 2006 after shunning the 2005 draft where he was expected to be the #1 overall pick, Leinart’s career has been a story of a player who just could not stay on the field. Whether it was getting beat out by a veteran, getting injured, or losing his spot to a rookie things just haven’t gone Matt’s way. Hopefully he has something lined up off the field because his career could easily be over now.