The Houston Texans find themselves in a favorable position to secure a premier running back in the upcoming free agency period, with notable names like Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs set to hit the open market. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, neither Barkley nor Jacobs will receive a franchise tag from their current teams, opening the door for them to enter free agency on March 15.
Following the Texans’ elimination in the Divisional Round against the Baltimore Ravens in January, coach DeMeco Ryans highlighted the improvement of Houston’s rushing attack as a “significant” priority for the offseason.
Barkley, considered the headline act in a star-studded running back class, emerges as a favorite to join the Texans, according to various reports. The two-time All-Pro running back would bring a substantial upgrade to Houston’s running back position, having surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in three out of his six seasons in the league. In the 2023 season with the New York Giants, Barkley fell just short of the milestone, recording 962 rushing yards on 247 attempts and six touchdowns.
Notably, Barkley’s versatility extends to the passing game, as evidenced by his 46 receptions for 280 yards and four touchdowns in the last season.
In the event that the Texans miss out on signing Barkley, Jacobs stands out as a significant contingency plan. The one-time All-Pro running back shares similar attributes with Barkley and comes off a season with the Las Vegas Raiders where he rushed for 805 yards on 233 attempts, adding six touchdowns. Jacobs also contributed in the passing game with 37 receptions for 296 yards.
Beyond Barkley and Jacobs, the Texans have additional options to explore in free agency. Running backs such as Austin Ekeler (Los Angeles Chargers), Derrick Henry (Tennessee Titans), and Tony Pollard (Dallas Cowboys) are also poised to become free agents. Additionally, re-signing Devin Singletary, who led the Texans with a career-best 898 yards and four rushing touchdowns, is considered a solid plan for Houston.
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