Redskins could have reference point in hypothetical Trent Williams-Texans deal

The Redskins may look to trade Trent Williams in the coming days, and the Houston Texans may have inadvertently given Washington a reference point in a recent deal for an offensive playmaker.

It was once thought that the Washington Redskins relationship with Trent Williams was reasonably salvageable. But as time goes on, that possibility becomes less and less likely, and the thought of trading Williams for assets becomes more and more appealing.

Of course, there are still a few stepping stones to cross before Williams is traded, but there’s reason to believe that other NFL teams have already expressed interest. If Williams is truly “not coming back“, then there’s nothing else for the Redskins brass to do besides entertain offers.

Of course, there are only so many realistic candidates to be trade partners. Trade partners need to be immediate playoff contenders; teams that aren’t contenders wouldn’t feel the need to give up high-priced assets for a player like Williams, because that acquisition ultimately wouldn’t lead them to wins. Thus, tackle-needy but uninspiring teams like the Bengals and Dolphins are out of the mix.

Our own Michael Shannon recently listed some trade candidates for Trent Williams, including the Patriots, Jets, Texans, Browns, and Jaguars in his article. Of those teams, only the Patriots, Browns, and Texans are legitimate playoff contenders in 2019. And of those teams, the Texans are perhaps the most enticing.

Why? Because the Texans may have recently, and inadvertently, given the Redskins a reference point in potential trade discussions. Earlier today, the Texans traded a conditional third-round pick to the Browns for versatile running back Duke Johnson.

Johnson, while valuable as an offensive weapon, is nowhere near the caliber player that Trent Williams is, and Williams plays at a far more important position. He could serve as a valuable mentor for Texans rookie tackle Tytus Howard, while helping the Texans maximize their playoff window.

In a nutshell, the Texans already paid a fourth that can become a third for Duke Johnson, a rotational running back. So what, then, is seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams worth, to a team that’s had one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines for over a decade?

The Redskins should get Bill O’Brien on the phone, start with that, and submit an offer for Williams. The Texans are in a vulnerable position right now; they’ve showed their hand, in terms of their trade value chart, and they don’t have an acting general manager; O’Brien himself was the one who made the call to Browns’ general manager John Dorsey.

NFL analyst Warren Sharp is on the record saying that the Redskins could try and strong-arm a first-round pick from the Texans, now that they’ve given up a conditional third-round pick for a running back. Striking at the right time is everything in a trade, and right now, the Redskins could be in prime position to glean massive value. It’s hard to say good-bye so quickly, to a player who’s been a team fixture for a decade.

But hey, it’s a business. One the Redskins should aim to win.