Free agency hit its crescendo earlier this month with the start of the 2024 league year, but a lot of big names in the open market as still available.
The Houston Texans have already spent a lot of money in free agency, but the team still has about $21.6 million in salary cap space to work with, per Over the Cap, before the 2024 NFL draft in less than a month. And with needs at cornerback, wide receiver, defensive tackle and linebacker, Houston could dip into the free agent pool once more.
One of the names Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger believes would be a good signing for the Texans is former New York Giants cornerback Adoree’ Jackson. Spielberger wrote that while injuries limited him in every season since 2018, Jackson “has true inside-outside versatility” at the cornerback position “with good lateral agility and a knack for making plays on the football.”
Jackson, who’ll be 29 by the start of this upcoming season, has two interceptions and 23 defended passes for the past three years with the Giants. His yards per target have gone up, though, from 4.8 in 2021 to 8.5 this past season and he’s missed 14 games during his tenure in New York.
Houston needs another starting cornerback to play alongside Derek Stingley Jr. And unless the team decides to re-sign 2023 starter Steven Nelson, the Texans will be forced to either sign someone else, draft someone or start either Jeff Okudah or C.J. Henderson.
Jackson would not be the most ideal option in this scenario given his durability, age and declining production, but he’s proven to be a better cornerback than the others currently on the Texans’ roster behind Stingley. He’d be relatively expensive, though, with a market value of $11.3 million annually, per Spotrac.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio hasn’t been a person to spend lavishly at positions of need unless the production warrants it, and Jackson could be considered an overspend given his recent performances.