With the Texans extending OLB Brennan Scarlett today, I think it is safe to say that they are getting ready to move on from Jadeveon Clowney. So, in anticipation of a looming trade, I wanted to share what I believe is one of the best trade partners for the Texans. The Washington Redskins.

Texans: receive Trent Williams and Adrian Peterson

Redskins: receive Jadeveon Clowney

The position group with the biggest shortage of premier talent across the league is offensive line, and the Texans are one of the teams with the worst options on their O-Line. Considering the deficiencies across the league in premier O-Line talent, this might be the only chance the Texans have to strengthen up their biggest weakness, without waiting till next year’s draft. Even if they wait for the draft, it is still a gamble with no guarantee that the player they choose is going to be a good starter, or even a starter at all.

Trent Williams on the other hand is a proven commodity with 7 pro bowl appearances since 2012, including an All-Pro nomination in 2015. He is one of the best tackles in the league, and fortunately for any team looking to acquire his services, he has made it publicly known that he has no intention to play for Washington anymore. Thus, reducing the Redskins bargaining power in trade negotiations. Considering the Texans just traded away Duane Brown (a second team All-Pro last year) for a bag of chips in 2017, this would be their best chance at rectifying that mistake by bringing in Williams, who is still playing at an elite level and is two years younger than Brown.

Despite the O-Line being a dire need for the Texans, a straight up one-for-one player trade would not be the most ideal return for a 26 year old pro bowler, and one of the better outside linebackers in the league. Even with Williams being one of the best tackles in the league, a 31 year old for a 26 year old is not ideal, and they would most likely have to add an additional asset to make it work.

Houston’s other weakness following the injury to Lamar Miller is running back. Personally, I was not a big fan of Houston’s backfield before the Duke Johnson trade (I’ve never been a big believer in Lamar Miller), and although I like Johnson and think he can be a valuable weapon. I have some concerns about his ability to be an every down back throughout the course of a whole season. I would like to see them bring in another back to handle situations that require more of a power runner, in addition to reducing the overall load for Johnson.

This brings us to Adrian Peterson, a future Hall of Famer, the personification of a power back, and one of the more ideal options to pair with Duke. Fresh off a thousand-yard season with the Redskins, the former MVP is defying historical precedents of RB production for 30+ years olds (so is Frank Gore). More often than not, a running back’s 30th birthday is seen as the beginning of the end, as many start to see their production dip after they cross the 30 year threshold. However, AP has managed to stay productive at an age when many consider walking away from the game. Bringing AP in with Trent Williams would even out the trade return for the Texans, while helping them bolster two of their weakest position groups.

A one-two punch of AP and Duke Johnson is not the sexiest tandem, but it is a useful partnership that would give them the ability to keep opposing defenses honest. Forcing defenses to focus on the backfield and passing game, instead of just hanging back and keying in on the Deshaun and Hopkins (as well as Will Fuller and Keke Coutee).

As for the Redskins, I know they want to retain Trent Williams, especially now that they have a young QB who they want to keep protected as he develops. But Williams has made it abundantly clear that he has no intention of playing for the Redskins this year, or in any future seasons. Making it in their best interest to make the trade now while they can still maximize his value, instead of waiting it out.

Additionally, the Redskins have a crowded backfield between Peterson, Derrius Guice, Chris Thompson, Bryce Love (still recovering), Samaje Perine and others. With Guice now fully recovered from his ACL injury that kept him out during his rookie campaign, last year. It looks like the Redskins may already have a power running back to replace Adrian Peterson and pair with Chris Thompson.

As for the defensive side of the ball, the Redskins have one of the more underrated groups in the whole NFL, filled with plenty of young and veteran talent. Bringing in Jadeveon would give them one of the best pass rushing groups in the league, and it would give them one of the most talent rich group of linebackers in the league. Even with Rueben Foster out while he rehabs his knee, they still have an abundance of talent, including Landon Collins, Josh Norman, Ryan Kerrigan, Jonathan Allen and the Rookie, Montez Sweat. When Foster eventually heals and makes his return, they will already have one of the better defensive front sevens, which would only be more intimidating with the addition of Clowney. Excluding the option to blitz Foster and Collins, a group of Kerrigan, Allen, Sweat and the added force of Clowney would give the Redskins an extremely versatile group of pass rushers.

Ultimately, this trade would benefit both teams, providing each with a great return for their disgruntled stars. With the recent retirement of Andrew Luck, the Texans are now a favorite to win their division. With a boost to their OL and RB groups, they would be a serious contender to go to the AFC Championship, and maybe beyond. The Redskins lack a realistic chance to contend for a deep playoff push, and that’s okay. They have a young QB and RB to build around, decent receiving weapons (including Jordan Reed), and a defense filled with talent. With the addition of Clowney, they could have an elite defense that would really help in the development of Dwayne Haskins and Derrius Guice. Although Clowney isn’t quite the talent that Khalil Mack is, I could see his addition improving the defense in a similar manner that Mack did with the Bears last year. A good defense will then lead to positive game scripts and ideal scenarios for the Redskins coaching staff, who hope to develop their young offensive players.

Overall, it is a win-win for two teams looking to maximize the value on stars halfway out the door.