Texans sign a cornerback who needs to have a successful season.
C.J. Henderson will get another opportunity from the Texans. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, the former top-10 pick of the Jaguars, who spent the majority of the last three seasons with the Panthers, is finalizing a contract with the Texans.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Henderson spoke with Texans brass on Thursday. After being selected ninth overall in the 2020 draft, the Florida alum’s stock has significantly dropped, but he will get another chance.
Henderson was unable to establish himself as a valuable member of the NFC South club after being traded from Jacksonville to Carolina early in the 2021 season in exchange for tight end Dan Arnold and a third-round pick. The 6-foot-1 cover guy was given a lot of playing time by the Panthers (22 starts), but they never saw him come up with a solution. Due to the first of Jaycee Horn’s NFL injuries, Carolina originally acquired Henderson and then traded for Stephon Gilmore in that same year. Following a serious hamstring injury sustained during the previous season, Henderson once more had to step in for Horn, however he wasn’t too productive.
Although cornerback volatility is somewhat illustrated by Pro Football Focus’ ratings at this position, the former Gator has been ranked outside of the top 100 in each of the last three seasons by the advanced metrics website. In each of the previous three seasons, Henderson, 25, was the closest defense and also gave up a passer rating above 103. This résumé suggests that the Texans decided to take a chance on a guy who was previously thought to be a top prospect.
After Jeff Okudah, who was selected third overall in 2020, signed with the Texans last week, Henderson is the second previous top-10 CB investment that the organization has added this offseason. Also present in Houston is the 2022 No. DeMeco Ryans now has a group of once-elite talents at cornerback in Derek Stingley Jr., the third overall pick. At this stage, Okudah and Henderson’s trajectories do not coincide with Stingley’s, and Houston will most likely put in more work at this position. After more than a week of free agency, no agreement has been struck despite the team’s interest in re-signing Steven Nelson.
