Texans To Meet With A.J. McCarron
The Texans are keeping themselves busy in the second week of free agency. On Monday, the Texans will meet with quarterback A.J. McCarron, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
Furthermore, the Texans have some interest in former Raiders tackle Donald Penn, as Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. They’ll also meet with former Bills tackle Jordan Mills on Monday, a source tells Mike Florio of PFT (Twitter link).
Earlier this offseason, the Raiders said they’d be keeping McCarron in the fold for 2019. However, they had a change of heart along the way (or, they weren’t being entirely truthful about their intentions) and released the QB earlier this month.
It has been a strange few years for McCarron. In 2015, he started a few games in Andy Dalton‘s stead and showed some promise. Then, last March, he appeared to finally be on his way towards becoming a bonafide NFL starter when he hooked on with the Bills. Ultimately, he did not impress in his competition alongside Nathan Peterman and Josh Allen and was shipped to the Raiders. For the bulk of 2018, he held the clipboard and watched Derek Carr go 4-12 in his 16 starts.
McCarron could be a logical fit for the Texans, who may be looking for a new No. 2 behind Deshaun Watson. Last year, Brandon Weeden and Joe Webb served as Watson’s understudies, but both are free agents.
Penn, meanwhile, saw his Raiders run end over the weekend. The Raiders are moving forward with high-priced pickup Trent Brown, but Penn indicated that he plans to continue playing. The Texans, who have been forced to make adjustments on the fly at tackle, could be intently interested in adding someone with Penn’s pedigree.
Texans, Vikes Interested In Ryan Schraeder
Both the Texans and Vikings have expressed interest in free agent offensive tackle Ryan Schraeder, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Schraeder was released by the Falcons earlier this week.
Houston fielded one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines in 2018, but the club hasn’t yet been linked to any free agent tackles. Last season, the Texans not only gave up the most sacks in the league (62), but ranked 27th in adjusted line yards, Football Outsiders’ run-blocking metric. Schraeder would presumably displace incumbent Texans right tackle Seantrel Henderson if signed.
Minnesota, meanwhile, wasn’t quite as poor as Houston: the Vikings’ front five gave up only 40 sacks (ninth in the NFL), but finished 23rd in ALY. The Vikings haven’t yet decided on an offensive line configuration for 2019, but reports have suggested they could shift Riley Reiff from left tackle to left guard and move 2019 second-round pick Brian O’Neill to the blindside. That would theoretically open right tackle for Schraeder.
A former undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State, Schraeder latched on with the Falcons in 2013 and proceeded to start 73 games over the next six years. He signed a five-year, $31.5MM extension in 2016, but only completed a portion of that contract. Schraeder lost his starting right tackle job to Ty Sambrailo at the end of the 2018 campaign; Sambrailo was subsequently extended by Atlanta.
Texans Work Out Jake Fisher
Jake Fisher — who is attempting a conversion from offensive tackle to tight end — tried out for the Texans today, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
It’s unclear at what position Houston worked Fisher today, but the club could use help at both tackle and tight end. The Texans fielded one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines in 2018, giving up a league-leading 62 sacks while ranking 27th in adjusted line yards. But Houston’s tight end room is just as uninspiring, as its led by options such as Ryan Griffin and Jordan Akins.
Fisher reportedly had dropped to 285 pounds as of earlier this month, and if that’s the case, he won’t have the size for tackle and is probably trying out as a tight end. While any sort of position change is difficult, Fisher does come with prior tight end experience, as he was an acclaimed TE in high school.
A second-round pick of the Bengals in the 2015 draft, Fisher has been limited by injuries and ineffectiveness during his career. Over four years in Cincinnati, Fisher appeared in 48 games but made only 12 starts despite the Bengals’ severe need for competent offensive tackle play.
Texans Sign Briean Boddy-Calhoun
The Texans have signed cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Boddy-Calhoun was non-tendered by the Browns earlier this month, making him a free agent. The former undrafted free agent had spent the majority of his three-year career in Cleveland.
Boddy-Calhoun started 15 games for the Browns over the past two seasons, including a 2018 campaign where he appeared in a career-high eight games. The cornerback also finished with career-bests in tackles (56) and QB hits (three). Pro Football Focus on ranked Boddy-Calhoun 79th among 112 eligible cornerbacks, but his pass-rushing grade was just outside the top-20.
In Houston, the 26-year-old will likely take on more of a backup role behind Johnathan Joseph and free agent addition Bradley Roby. The Texans are also rostering Aaron Colvin and Kayvon Webster.
Three Teams Interested In DB Kentrell Brice
It sounds like three teams have interest in defensive back Kentrell Brice. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reports (via Twitter) that the former Packers safety is set to meet with the Colts today. This comes after the 24-year-old visited with the Texans yesterday. Demovsky notes that the Buccaneers also have interest in the free agent.
The Packers decided to non-tender Brice earlier this week after the team added defensive back Adrian Amos. Brice, a former undrafted free agent out of Louisiana Tech, had spent his entire three-year career with Green Bay, including a career-season in 2018.
The safety ultimately finished last season having started a career-high 10 games (in 14 appearances), compiling 50 tackles, one sack, two passes defended. Pro Football Focus wasn’t as fond of his performance last season, ranking him in the bottom-six among 93 eligible safeties.
Texans Host Jaydon Mickens
- Wide receiver Jaydon Mickens visited with the Texans today, reports Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Mickens is a wideout-in-name-only, as he’s garnered only six total receptions over his two-year career (all in 2017). Instead, Mickens is a core special-teamer, with a focus on punt returns. He handled 27 for Jacksonville last season, managing 10.6 yards per return with one touchdown. Houston is already one of the best return teams in the NFL, per Football Outsiders‘ metrics, and is bringing back DeAndre Carter, who split return duty last season.
49ers Hosting Jason Verrett; Texans, Chiefs On Deck
Free agent cornerback Jason Verrett is visiting the 49ers, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets that the Texans are presently scheduled to host Verrett after his trip to the 49ers, and the Chiefs are on the docket after that.
The former first-round pick of the Chargers has played in just five games in the last three years due to injury, and he missed the entire 2018 campaign after suffering a torn Achilles during a conditioning test last July.
Because of his health concerns, San Francisco is making a physical part of Verrett’s visit, and Houston and Kansas City may do the same. Rapoport indicated that Verrett was garnering significant interest, and that certainly seems to be the case.
Verrett was a Pro Bowler in 2015 and looked primed to establish himself as one of the best young corners in the league, but his career has been sidetracked in a big way. However, he reportedly looked like his old self in minicamp last year before the Achilles injury, and if he can make good on a one-year prove-it deal, he may be able to really cash in next offseason.
The 49ers have made major upgrades to their defense this week, signing Kwon Alexander and trading for (and extending) Dee Ford. They are also looking to bolster their secondary and made an offer to cornerback Bradley Roby, who ultimately chose to sign with the Texans.
But even with the addition of Roby, Houston could stand to add to its stable of CBs, and Kansas City is also in the market for corner help. The Chiefs are meeting with Ronald Darby tonight.
If healthy, Verrett could be in store for plenty of playing time if he lands with any of these clubs.
DB Notes: Roby, Boston, Berry
Earlier today, the Texans agreed to sign former Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby to a one-year, $10MM deal. It sounds like the 27-year-old may have left some longer deals on the table, as the defensive back told Mike Klis of 9News in Denver that he turned down a three-year offer from the Steelers and a one-year offer from the 49ers. Roby said that the Browns were also in the mix (Twitter link).
“It’s a prove it deal,” Roby explained. “I feel like I should go back in (the market) while I’m still young.”
Roby left Denver after spending five years with the organization, and it sounds like the veteran holds a bit of a grudge against his former team.
“It’s a business. Denver didn’t want me, they wanted someone else,” Roby said, with the cornerback referring to the team’s acquisition of Kareem Jackson (Twitter link). “No, they tried to word it nice – they were talking about it but they didn’t offer. They got the guy they wanted.”
Let’s check out some more notes revolving around the league’s defensive backs…
- Free agent safety Tre Boston doesn’t expect to sign a deal right away, with the 26-year-old telling ESPN’s Josina Anderson that he expects to be in the “second wave” of safety signings (Twitter link). Boston said that three teams have already reached out to express preliminary interest, including the Raiders. However, following the team’s agreement with Lamarcus Joyner, it’s uncertain if they’ll still have interest. Boston spent the 2018 campaign with the Cardinals, compiling 79 tackles, nine passes defended, and three interceptions.
- Could the Chiefs signing of Tyrann Mathieu spell the end of Eric Berry‘s tenure with the organization? Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio thinks so, as the writer can’t envision the organization paying a combined $27MM for the two players. Considering Berry’s recent injury issues, this isn’t a particularly hot take, but it’s worth noting that the Chiefs will have to make a decision relatively soon. As Florio tweets, another $7.25 million of Berry’s contract will become guaranteed on March 15th.
- A number of safeties earned large paydays yesterday, which was a significant difference from last offseason. CBS Sports’ Brady Quinn explained why safeties were the bigger winner during the NFL’s first day of the legal tampering period.
Latest On Le’Veon Bell
The market for Le’Veon Bell may not actually be all that robust. Albert Breer of The MMQB tweets that the Bears, Colts, Ravens, Texans and Bills “haven’t really been in it” for the All-Pro running back.
This is particularly notable following reports from earlier today that six teams were in the running for Bell: the Jets, Colts, Ravens, Packers, Texans, and Bills. With four of those teams out of the running (along with the Bears), that would seemingly mean that New York and Green Bay are going head-to-head for the running back’s services. The Raiders have also been mentioned as a potential suitor for Bell.
Breer notes that the market’s been tough for the former Steelers offensive weapon, and he adds that more teams may enter the bidding if the asking price drops. As of right now, there’s a feeling that Bell could be secured for a deal that will pay him between $11MM and $12MM per season.
Regardless of who’s in and who’s out of the bidding, we may get a resolution sooner than later. We learned earlier today that the Jets have given Bell a deadline to make a decision. If the Jets don’t hear back by that unreported time, they’ll likely move on to other free agent targets.
Texans To Sign CB Bradley Roby
The Texans have agreed to sign former Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby, according to James Palmer of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s a one-year deal worth $10MM, a source tells Palmer.
This marks a key investment for the defending AFC South champions, who saw two key members of their 2018 secondary defect. Kareem Jackson is likely set to take Roby’s place as the Broncos’ No. 2 cornerback. Roby’s deal illustrates both the cornerback market and his uneven contract year.
Denver’s nickel man for four seasons behind Chris Harris and Aqib Talib, Roby struggled as a full-time player in 2018. He played a key role for the Broncos’ dominant Super Bowl defense and an elite pass coverage crew a year later, but the former first-round pick probably could have secured a long-term deal with a better contract year.
Houston does not have much in the way of long-term pieces at corner, having Roby on a one-year deal and Johnathan Joseph going into his age-35 season. The Texans never received a quality return on their Kevin Johnson investment and is now without Jackson, who was the longest-tenured Texan on last year’s team. Houston also benched Aaron Colvin last season, so more moves may be coming for the Texans at this position — either through free agency or the draft.
For Roby, this is a chance to re-establish his value. While a $10MM accord is a solid payday, it’s a fraction of what the soon-to-be 27-year-old defender could earn if he bounces back next season.