Is Howie Going To Strike & Net The Eagles A Former #1 Overall Pick?
The writing is on the wall. A player, who is unhappy with his current team, is available and would bring tremendous value to the Philadelphia Eagles. Is GM Howie Roseman going to go hunting and acquire this player?
After working the Eagles out of cap purgatory this offseason, Eagles GM Howie Roseman has somehow done the impossible. Roseman, after acquiring DeSean Jackson and resigning multiple key veterans, has worked his magic and given the Eagles some flexible room in salary cap. About or around $16million to be exact.
However, with recent reports surfacing, could that space be used to add to an already powerful starting defensive line?
Jadeveon Clowney, the #1 pick in 2014, has been one of the best defensive lineman in the NFL since 2015. After missing most of his rookie season, Clowney’s college hype faded after year 1 in the NFL. But, since only playing 4 games in 2014, Clowney has been a top5 defensive end in the NFL.
With the Texans, Clowney has been a one-man wrecking crew over the past two seasons. Starting and playing in all 16 games for the first in his career in 2017, Clowney had his best statistical season in 2017. Making 41 individual tackles, 59 total tackles, and 9.5 sacks. Clowney continued his success last season as well.
In 15 games last season, Clowney had 38 individual tackles, 47 total tackles, and 9.0 sacks. If Clowney played in all 16 games, Jadeveon could have easily set new personal records in individual tackles and sacks. But, you have to ask, why is he available? Someone of Clowney’s talent only comes around so often in the NFL. Why would the Texans give up on him?
Well, one thing is for sure. The reason for Clowney being on the market has nothing to do with his ability on the field. Far from it. The reason has to do with Clowney, his contract, and the team he currently plays for, the Houston Texans.
Clowney, like any athlete, wants to win. Personal accomplishes are good too. But, winning is the most important. Jadeveon knows the Texans team like no-one else. Clowney has helped a re-build in Houston that has gotten them to where they are now.
At the moment, Clowney has a qualifying offer on the table that would pay him around $15.5million this season. A salary that fits Clowney very well. However, with the uncertainty of Super Bowl hopes in Houston, he has yet to sign the offer. With no real path to the Super Bowl in Houston, Clowney wants out. Being a RFA, Jadeveon is using his free agent status to get out of Houston or get paid. With Houston stating multiple times his tendered offer is the most they will give him, getting paid seems to be out of the picture.
Insert Howie Roseman.
Howie has a history of this in the past. But, in a different realm. Roseman normally goes after players in the final year of their rookie deals. Actually, the last time it happened was with Houston and Brandon Brooks. After 4 years in the league, Howie swooped in and signed Brooks away from Houston. That seems to have paid off big time for the Eagles. Clowney should be no different.
Pairing Clowney with Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, and former pro-bowler Malik Jackson has the making of the best defensive line in the history of the Eagles. Not to mention Derek Barnett as your rotation piece, the possibilities would be endless. But, that’s not the best part. The future could be. With Graham not getting any younger, Clowney could be paired with Barnett for the next 5-7 years creating a huge advantage and strength on the defensive line.
The Eagles started adding and replacing aging veterans this offseason with Andre Dillard, who will be the eventual replacement for Jason Peters. Adding Clowney to an already sacked and elite group will not only replace a piece in the future, but also help the team now.
If Howie wants to have a chance at Jadeveon, his package will have to include something the Texans need, offensive lineman. Which is good for the Eagles because they have a surplus of young offensive lineman ready to start in the NFL.
A package of Halapoulivaati Vaitai and a 2ndround pick should be something that should catch the Texans eye.