Houston acquired linebacker Blake Cashman from the Jets in…
Houston acquired linebacker Blake Cashman from the Jets in March 2022 for a 2023 sixth-round pick. Cashman became a useful Texans defender and eventually a full-time starter, delivering a strong final season in Houston before leaving in free agency. New York received modest late-round capital for a player who had struggled to stay healthy, but Houston extracted starting-caliber production from a very small acquisition cost.
Houston Texans Received
- other Blake Cashman
New York Jets Received
- pick 2023 6th round pick (207th overall subsequently traded, Anders Carlson )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Houston acquired Blake Cashman from New York in March 2022 for a 2023 sixth-round pick. The selection later moved again rather than becoming a long-term Jets player, while Cashman joined a Texans roster that could offer him a fresh opportunity at linebacker. The price was minimal: Houston risked only late-round capital on a former fifth-round pick whose early career had repeatedly been interrupted by injuries.
Why Houston Came Out Ahead
Cashman rewarded the gamble once he stayed available. He contributed as a reserve and special-teams player before growing into a significant defensive role, ultimately becoming a highly productive starter during his final season with Houston. That progression matters because the Texans did not pay starter-level acquisition cost. They bought upside cheaply, gave the player a path to snaps, and received meaningful defensive production before his contract expired.
How New York Fared
The Jets had understandable reasons to move on. Cashman's availability had been unreliable, and obtaining any pick for a player near the edge of the roster carried value. A sixth-rounder gave New York another opportunity to reshape depth. Still, the return was modest, and Cashman's later performance showed that the player being sold retained considerably more upside than his Jets tenure had revealed.
Final Verdict
Houston earns an A- and New York a C+. The Jets made a reasonable low-risk roster decision, but the Texans turned a sixth-round cost into a player who eventually started and produced at a high level for their defense. That is exactly the kind of inexpensive acquisition that creates surplus value, making Houston the clear winner in hindsight.