J.J. Watt out in Houston; Dallas Cowboys should make the call

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, eight-time All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt is being released by the Houston Texans and will be on the move. Many contending teams could use his services, and the Dallas Cowboys are definitely one of them.

Watt is a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time NFL sack leader, has made five Pro Bowls, and also was a Walter Payton Man of the Year winner during his time in Houston. Now, there’s another team in Texas, about 240 miles North, that could use his services.

The Cowboys have been known to take chances on veteran defensive ends the past couple of years. The trade for Robert Quinn from Miami in 2019 and the signing of Aldon Smith last year. Both instances worked out well for the club.

Both players (assuming Smith does not re-sign in Dallas) were one-year rentals. It remains to be seen if the 32-year-old Watt would be willing to sign a one-year contract with a club, or if he would be looking for something more long-term.

The Cowboys are tight on salary cap space, with only about 18.5 million in available space, according to Over The Cap. Nonetheless, Dallas would be wise to make a call to Watt’s camp to gauge any interest.

It’s no secret that Watt will want to sign with a contender to close out his career. And it is no surprise that he will have many suitors.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a contender, and both of his brothers, T.J. and Derek, play there as well. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs could both use more pass rush help. The Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, and Buffalo Bills should all also be in the mix

Watt is 32-years-old and still seems to have a lot of gas left in the tank. According to Pro Football Focus, Watt has finished as a top ten player at his position every year that he has qualified, including coming in at number one in 2013 and 2014.

Since Watt was released, he does not have to wait until the new league year in March to sign with a new team. He can do so at any time. Last season, Watt recorded 5.0 sacks, 52 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 17 quarterback hits, one interception, and one defensive touchdown in 16 games.

All in all, pretty much any and every contender should be in on J.J. Watt, so getting him to the Dallas Cowboys will be no easy task. Regardless, it would be a smart decision to at least make a run at him.