PFF names the Texans' biggest trade asset ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft
Trades are inevitable in football. Compared to other sports, they're minor, but still occur every once in a while to shore up teams looking to contend.
Knowing the Houston Texans, trades are bound to happen more than once. Last season, Houston shipped off the 25th overall pick to the Minnesota Vikings for future draft capital used a week later on shoring up the offense with the addition of All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Earlier this offseason, Houston sent five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders in exchange for four draft picks. That's not all. Houston also traded Kenyon Green to the Philadelphia Eagles to bolster its secondary by acquiring do-it-all defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Are there more trades in the works?
Pro Football Focus' Bradley Locker put together a list of each team's best trade chip heading into the 2025 NFL Draft in April. And while none of the Texans' players are rumored to be on the trade block at the moment, that doesn't mean other teams won't reach out about a player they're interested in.
Perhaps the biggest name? Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee and standout nickel defender Jale Pitre. With the former Baylor star going into a contract year, plus the arrival of Gardner-Johnson, the Texans might be willing to part ways with Pitre before he leaves on the open market for nothing.
"The Texans’ foundational stars on both sides of the ball seem secure (although Laremy Tunsil defied that). But the team could look to make a deal for one of its safeties.
"Houston traded for C.J. Gardner-Johnson this offseason, who registered a strong 77.7 PFF overall grade with the Eagles last year. On top of that, the team returns second-year piece Calen Bullock as well as veteran Jimmie Ward. Pitre (73.9 PFF overall grade) still feels like a key cog in Houston’s defense with his well-rounded skill set, but having one more year left on his contract could make a trade possible. After all, nothing can be ruled out with general manager Nick Caserio calling the shots."
While Gardner-Johnson and Pitre play similar roles, the arrival of the Super Bowl champion was more so used to replace Ward, who's suffered back-to-back season-ending injuries since joining the Texans in 2023. Gardner-Johnson also can line up anywhere, so it actually serves as a move that benefits Houston's defense in general rather than creating competition between one other open spots.
Pitre, who's coming off a season-ending chest injury, feels like a long-term piece for the Texans' defense entering Year 3 of the DeMeco Ryans era. Houston's already inked extensions with All-Pro defensive end Danielle Hunter and All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., so the next man to pay would be the positionless Pitre.
There's also been no reports surrounding a potential Pitre trade anytime soon, so don't expect Houston to be adamant about making a switch in the slot. For now, all is trending toward a new deal rather than a broken relationship.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: PFF names the Texans' biggest trade asset ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft
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