The Houston Texans continue to bolster their defense. According to ESPN’s Jeremey Fowler, the Texans are planning to sign former top-10 draft pick cornerback CJ Henderson.
Houston hosted Henderson for a visit earlier today, and that visit is turning into a deal.
Henderson, the former number nine overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars. As a rookie, he signed a four-year contract, and the plan was for Henderson to be their lockdown corner, especially considering where they drafted him.
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However, Henderson failed to live up to the hype. He was placed on the injured reserve later in the season due to a groin injury after only playing in eight games, where he recorded 36 total tackles, one interception, six passes defended, and one forced fumble.
His time in Jacksonville was short-lived. After only two seasons as a Jaguar and two games into his second season, the former Flordia Gator was traded to the Panthers in 2021. Henderson was traded for a third-round draft pick and tight end Dan Arnold.
The cornerback will try to re-establish himself in the same division he entered as a rookie. For the last three seasons, he’s been in Carolina. As a Panther, Henderson recorded 97 total tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack, and ten passes defended.
In his career, the 25-year-old has 172 total tackles, six tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions.
There’s no question he has yet to live up to his draft status. For one reason or another, Henderson has yet to be able to get over the hump and establish himself as an elite corner.
Although he was drafted as that, his job now is to be a reliable and competent corner. His numbers show that he is that and will look to take the Texans to another level.
The former Gator has allowed a passer rating of over 100 in each season that he has played at the pro level, but the Texans are hoping he can revitalize his career with them in 2024. The Texans are taking a flier on a player who was once viewed as a high-end prospect, and he could still achieve that elite status given the right coaching.
Nonetheless, Henderson will try to make his presence felt by the Texans and his defensive-minded head coach, DeMeco Ryans. Ryans has done wonders with this Texans team, and they could be a sneaky dark horse candidate for the Super Bowl in 2024.
Uncommon Knowledge
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