NFL Trade Machine: Justin Houston to the Tennessee Titans
By Erik Lambert
The NFL trade machine has some new meat to chew on. Word has surfaced that the Kansas City Chiefs are attempting to trade one of their best defenders.
Justin Houston has consistently been one of the better 3-4 outside linebackers in the NFL for a long time. Last year was no different as he finished with 9.5 sacks while helping his team to the AFC championship game. One would think he has considerable trade value even at the age of 30. However, there is one significant complication with this matter.
Houston’s cap hit for 2019 will be $21 million. Even for a team like the Colts who have over $100 million, that would be a major blow to absorb. So if the Chiefs are going to find a suitor who’s actually willing to pay that price along with the required draft pick, it will like have to one that has both the pressing pass rush need and the system that will fit his skill set.
This narrows the list by a significant amount, but there may be one team willing to venture it.
Sources: The #Chiefs have had trade talks centered around star pass-rusher Justin Houston. With Houston’s cap number and the potential to franchise tag Dee Ford, Houston appears to be a rare top pass-rusher available. Teams have been calling with real interest.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 28, 2019
Tennessee Titans have the means and the motive to grab Houston
At first thought, a team like the Titans might not jump out as an obvious landing spot. Then again, upon closer inspection, it becomes more obvious. None of their outside linebackers managed better than six sacks in 2018. Brian Orakpo also announced his retirement, which only adds to their problems. Hopes are high that Harold Landry can take a big step forward this year but they can’t bank on that alone. They need options.
Current projections have them at over $46 million in cap space. That’s nowhere near the top of the other teams on the board but it’s still a sizable amount of money. They also don’t have many pressing in-house free agents to deal with. So this would make for an opportunity for them to find an instant infusion of veteran talent and experience to a young defense that feels they’re close to being pretty good.
They were close to the playoffs this past year. It stands to reason their case isn’t entirely unfounded. Then again it may depend on whether Houston himself is interested in going there.