The Texans have signed a slew of midlevel veterans on low-cost deals. They met with another potential candidate for such an agreement Thursday, bringing in defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.
A former second-round pick, Walker played a rotational role in four Denver seasons. After the Broncos asked the interior D-lineman to work as an outside linebacker as a rookie, Walker settled into a spot as an off-the-bench lineman in the team’s 3-4 defense. He is coming off a 4.5-sack season.
The Florida State product has recorded 8.5 sacks over the past two years, doing so after compiling just two in scant work in the two seasons before Vic Fangio‘s arrival. Although Walker missed three games last season, his 35% snap rate was by far a career high. The Broncos, however, opted to re-sign Shelby Harris and add ex-Vikings D-lineman Shamar Stephen this offseason.
Houston GM Nick Caserio has been busy — beyond navigating multiple Deshaun Watson issues. The Texans, who released J.J. Watt after 10 seasons, have signed Maliek Collins and Derek Rivers up front this offseason. Walker would profile as another low-cost signing, should he join the brigade of free agents — a list that includes ex-Broncos teammate Phillip Lindsay — to join the Texans.
Bring in cheap vets
Give them playing time
Trade them for draft picks if performing well.
Build draft stockpile
A fringe starter. He would look good a couple times a game and then be invisible the rest of the time he was in there.