With the NFL trade deadline creeping closer, the Texans have a pretty obvious area to shore up: the secondary. And one ESPN analyst thinks Houston should look at a veteran who could solve more than one problem at once.
Aaron Schatz recently suggested the Texans pursue Raiders cornerback Taron Johnson, tying the move directly to Houston’s need at nickel corner and the uncertainty around Jalen Pitre. As Schatz put it, "Raiders CB Taron Johnson.
The Texans could use more depth at the nickel with Jalen Pitre dealing with a left shoulder injury. When Pitre returns, having the veteran Johnson around would allow Pitre to occasionally spell Reed Blankenship at safety (or even start in his place)."
That idea makes sense because Pitre’s status is still unsettled. He has been a key part of the Texans’ defense, but he is recovering from an AC Joint sprain, and his Week 9 availability remains up in the air. For a Houston secondary that needs to stay intact during a playoff push, that’s no small issue.
Johnson would give the Texans a proven slot defender and, just as important, another way to move Pitre around once he’s back. Instead of asking Pitre to carry the full load at nickel, Houston could use him more creatively and get him involved at safety more often.
That matters with Reed Blankenship also in the safety mix. The more players Houston has who can handle multiple jobs, the more freedom DeMeco Ryans gets when building out his defensive packages.
Johnson brings the kind of resume that makes the fit easy to see. The 30-year-old spent his entire NFL career with the Buffalo Bills before landing with the Raiders, and he earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2023. His experience in the slot lines up well with how important that role is in Ryans’ defense.
The one catch is cost. Houston can’t afford to spend meaningful draft capital on a rental-style depth move if the price gets too steep, especially with other roster needs still in play.
Even so, the logic is hard to ignore. The Texans have enough defensive talent to hang with anyone, but injuries and thin depth can turn into real problems fast.
A veteran like Johnson could help cover one of those cracks and give Houston more flexibility once Pitre is healthy. If the Raiders are open to moving him for the right price, it’s a deal the Texans ought to examine closely.
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