3 Moves That Will Get Texans Back to Super Bowl Contention

The Houston Texans sent the NFL landscape into a state of shock earlier this week after they revealed that Bill O'Brien would be serving as the team's head coach AND general manager.

It was a promotion that no analyst or fan forecasted, and now the Texans will have to settle for mediocrity at two of the most prominent positions of their organization.

Lucky for O'Brien (and the sanity of H-Town natives), we have a few quick fixes that the Texans can make to get them over the hump. The only problem is, they will likely have to come via trade and offseason acquisition, as the franchise doesn't have a first-round draft pick to their name in 2020.

3. Go All-In on Shaquil Barrett

Buccaneers breakout LB Shaq Barrett / Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Outside of JJ Watt and Whitney Mercilus, nobody on Houston's front six can be relied upon to supply a pass rash. Enter Shaq Barrett, who is fresh off leading the NFL with a mind-rattling 19.5 sacks. The breakout sixth-year LB also registered 58 tackles, six forced fumbles, and a whopping 37 QB hits. Adding another elite pass rusher would protect Houston's bottom-tier secondary, and only open up more room for Watt and Mercilus to go to town.

2. Address the Secondary

Broncos standout CB Chris Harris is set to hit free agency this offseason. / Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

Persuading impending free agent Bradley Roby to return would be a good start, but that isn't a given. Players like Vernon Hargreaves, Gareon Conley, and Lonnie Johnson are all young and still adapting to the NFL...which says a lot about their limited ceiling. Therefore, Houston must pursue one (or two) of CBs Byron Jones and Chris Harris, OR safeties Justin Simmons and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to shore up their back end.

1. Sign OG Brandon Scherff

Redskins elite OG Brandon Scherff / Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Just imagine the sheer havoc that Scherff and Laremy Tunsil could wreak if paired on the same offensive line. Deshaun Watson is clearly the Texans' most important asset, and they've done a piss-poor job at prioritizing his health, as it pertains to deploying a competent OL. Signing Scherff, a three-time Pro Bowler with Washington, would go a LONG way at doing just that. Want a mic drop? He's conceded just 2.5 sacks since 2018.