Entering the 2022 offseason, the Houston Texans’ secondary was one of the weakest links on the team. Their boundary corner play had been well below average in 2021 and the two most talented defensive back on the team, Justin Reid and Desmond King, were all but guaranteed to leave in free agency.
Despite running a defense that is primarily driven by its defensive lineman and linebackers, the weakness of the secondary was a major concern. That was until Nick Caserio decided it wouldn’t be. Houston invested massively in their cornerback group over the next few months.
Derek Stingley was drafted third overall, with new head coach Lovie Smith preaching that Stingley had the talent to shadow team’s best receivers every game. King was resigned to a very team-friendly contract. Steven Nelson was signed away from the Philadelphia Eagles to start at the boundary corner opposite Stingley.
What's the best unit on the 2022 rebuilding Texans?
My vote might be the CBs. Stingley could emerge as a true #1, Nelson & King are capable of holding down the opposite boundary corner, and Tavierre Thomas flashed huge potential at nickel.
What do you guys think? #WeAreTexans
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) May 5, 2022
Many now project that the cornerback group could be the strength of the team. This looks to be a potential great boost if Smith is to succeed at coach compared to his previous tenure in Tampa Bay. Unfortunately, there is still a glaring problem in the secondary.
The safety group is only marginally improved.
Defensive back Jalen Pitre was drafted 37th overall fin Round 2 from Baylor with many analysts projecting him to play a safety role at the next level. However, Pitre played more of a STAR role as a Bear, a cross between nickel corner and weakside linebacker, and has never been tasked with high safety coverage responsibilities before.
M.J. Stewart is a 29-year-old safety that was signed from the Cleveland Browns but he also requires some major projection to take up a larger role in Smith’s defense. Otherwise the position group went untouched during the free agency period. Caserio did a fabulous job addressing needs all around the roster but this is one that was seemingly ignored.
Entering June of the off-season, the options to upgrade are pretty limited but there is one name in particular that’s surprisingly still available.
Washington safety Landon Collins.
Safety is still a glaring hole on Houston's roster I would hope they address. Two names standout in particular on the free agent market.
Landon Collins is coming off an injured season in Washington. Tashaun Gipson has history in Houston. Either would be a good boost #WeAreTexans
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) May 31, 2022
Collins is 28 years old and a three-time Pro Bowler with the New York Giants. He was selected 33rd overall by New York after spending three years with Nick Saban and Kirby Smart, otherwise known as the best coaches in college football.
Collins was the recipient of a record-breaking six-year, $84 million contract in the summer of 2019 to Washington before injuries ultimately disrupted both his 2020 and 2021 seasons. Despite having started all 94 games he’s played at the NFL level, Collins is still unsigned.
It would likely take a strong financial investment from Houston but he represents a chance to alleviate some major concerns in the defensive secondary. A large, one-year contract could make sense for Collins to re-establish himself before jumping on a large multi-year contract during the 2023 off-season.
He has played both free safety and strong safety over the course of his career and could seemingly settle one of the two positions full time. This would allow players like Eric Murray to focus all their efforts at one of the spots.
Collins has some history playing linebacker last season for Washington and this could serve in Houston’s favor in two ways. First, this could benefit the team as Collins could serve as a role model to Pitre with very similar play styles and more experience in the league. They’re both instinctive tacklers and Collins’ presence would offer Pitre a more direct kind of role model that isn’t currently on the roster.
Second, Houston could offer true stability to Collins. They are firmly set at the linebacker position and could assure the veteran safety he would not be asked to play outside of the defensive back group.
Safeties with the most tackles for loss/no gain against the run since 2018
🥇 Jordan Whitehead: 37
🥈 Landon Collins: 31
🥉 Jamal Adams: 30 pic.twitter.com/aB6JfoNDuj— PFF NY Jets (@PFF_Jets) May 28, 2022
Finally, upgrading at safety serves to benefit the entire secondary. Stingley and Nelson can play looser and instinctively in man coverage knowing they have strong players on the back end should they get beat. Creating hesitation for opposing quarterbacks to throw over the top means more time for pass rushers Jonathan Greenard and Maliek Collins to get to the quarterback.
Nobody knows what Collins is searching for in his next team. He could have a multitude of options and be waiting to sign with a championship contender. The market could be dry with Collins’ searching for an opportunity to prove to the league that he still is what he once was.
Houston isn’t likely winning many games in 2021. However, as they once did for Tyrann Mathieu, the Texans can offer a lifeline to Collins. A guaranteed role with a known high quality defensive head coach. In exchange for a large one-year deal for Collins while he restores his status in the NFL, Houston could acquire a player that puts every player on their secondary in a better position to succeed.
A potential win-win arrangement that could pay huge dividends to both parties without any commitment to the future. Caserio should be picking up the phone tomorrow to see if he could work salary cap magic and bring Collins to Space City.
