Before last year’s trade deadline, the Texans swung a deal for former Raiders first-round pick Gareon Conley. The deal gave Conley a change of scenery and an opportunity to turn his pro career around. With fellow former Ohio State first-rounder Bradley Roby and veteran Johnathan Joseph out of action, Conley would have the chance to see significant reps, especially since second-round rookie Lonnie Johnson was greener than expected.
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Johnson didn’t improve much, but the Texans still turned down Conley’s fifth-year option for 2021, which would have paid him $10.24MM, guaranteed for injury only. Now, he’s in limbo with one year and $1.89MM on his deal.
Conley has an awful lot riding on his 2020 season. With a big showing, Conley could secure the bag – either with the Texans or another club. If he doesn’t performed, he’ll be viewed as a low-risk pickup, the kind of player that nets a cheap base salary on a one-year prove-it deal.
Conley didn’t quite cut it in Oakland, so you could be forgiven for overlooking his natural skillset and quietly solid second half with Houston. The Raiders shipped Conley out after he failed to make plays consistently in their zone scheme. But, with the Texans, Conley broke up eleven would-be passes – two less than team leader Johnathan Joseph in five fewer games.
The big-game talent has been there all along – Conley was a first-round pick for a reason and, if not for his strange pre-draft saga, he might have been a Top 10 choice. The Ohio State product was also surprisingly solid in coverage with the Raiders, even though he didn’t quite gel with the team. Conley boasts the highest forced incompletion rate of any cornerback in the NFL over the past four years, as noted by Pro Football Focus (Twitter link). That stat comes with a small asterisk since Conley has only been on the field for two years, but the fact remains that he’s a quality stopper.
If Conley can stave off Johnson for the CB2 job opposite Roby, the stage is set for him to break out and cash in next spring.
Texans really traded a 3rd round pick for a player who’s option they declined. Every team in the leauge loves Bill.
Your assertion is off a bit. If Conley plays to the value of a $10 million dollar contract the Texans will get back a 3rd or 4th round comp pick if he signs as a free agent with another team. Much like we got a 3rd for Tyrann Matthieu. So basically Texans get two years of Conley and their pick back if he plays well, so no reason to sign the 5th year guarantee. The Texans would rather have the 3rd back and save 10 million after getting two seasons of a staring corner. Or they can work out an extension on terms they are comfortable with.
Your biggest mistake was thinking anyone in their right mind would pay Conley 10m a year
Conley had a slightly above average season with the Texans. If he performs better this season then he could get something in the 8-10 range.
Just an ignorant comment on Afk711 part. Did you not read the article and see that the 5th year was for 10 Million. Has nothing to with what I was thinking, it’s what the contract states. Obviously OBrien did not think he was worth a 10 million dollar guarantee and that is why he didn’t sign him to a 5th year.
“Conley’s fifth-year option for 2021, which would have paid him $10.24MM”
LOL maybe Bill shouldn’t be trading 3rd round picks for projects who are noot good enough now to get 10 million but might play that way to free agency. Its absolute ignorance to think Conley is anything but mediocre. Well except to Bill O Brien who thinks he is only 1 round lower than Deandre Hopkins
OSU puts out a lot of talent but CB and LB seem to be their bugaboo. Marshon Lattimore is the obvious exception but then you have guys like Conley, Apple and Roby who never really lived up to their billing.
Let’s hope Okudah and Arnette can buck this trend
Huh? Lol. Denzel Ward. Plus there’s been many prior to them. OSU and LSU without looking it up forsure def have the most DBs on NFL rosters.
Having the most and them being good are two entirely different things.
Ehhh I get your point but Roby overall has had a solid career, particularly in Denver. Conley played well with Houston this year, even if not to the standard you would like considering his draft status. He’s earned another year to solidify his chance to lead the secondary if it all works out.
Of course the Raiders seem to have even worse luck with their corners, so I’m not sure how much to put on Conley individually.
True. And I’m not saying it’s this is OSUs fault. It’s just been their weak spot. Guys will get drafted high and be…good. But rarely living up to their stock. Roby, Conley, Ward aren’t bad corners. I just wouldn’t label any of them great. Ward was the “best” OSU corner last year but was rated 21st by PFF. I just think Lattimore has shown more and more consistency.
Overlooking his natural skillet? Conley is a chef on the side?