Jeff Allen To Sign With Houston Texans

The Houston Texans are all in on 2016.  After swiping Brock Osweiler and Lamar Miller in free agency, they were able to plug a big hole at guard with somebody from the very team that knocked them out of the playoffs.

This is who the Texans are getting in terms of a player and person in Allen.

“Jeff Allen only started eight games in 2015, but he was as critical to the success of the Chiefs offense as anyone on the offensive line. His ability to protect Alex Smith and open up running lanes allowed Kansas City to maintain balance on offense after Jamaal Charles was lost for the season. He possesses some versatility, however is much better suited for guard than tackle. He certainly helped himself by playing so well in a contract year, but will need to be more consistent moving forward to avoid being a future cap casualty.”

Allen is another quality blocker with the kind of size-athleticism combination that should be able to fit in any offensive system.  Given how much the Texans lost on the interior with Brandon Brooks and Ben Jones going elsewhere, this is the kind of versatile player they needed to grab and they pulled it off.

GRADE:  B

Guards in general don’t cost as much as other positions, which is what likely enabled the Texans to get away with stealing Allen from other interested parties.  Allen won’t bring the same money as Kelechi Osemele, so that in itself will be a win but more than anything he keeps the offensive line stable as Houston ushers in a new quarterback.