The IDP Fallout from Brian Cushing’s Release

Brandon Salamat Posted On February 22, 2018

The Houston Texans have released longtime Texan, Brian Cushing. What does this mean in the IDP world? Well, I’ll tell you. It’s good news for Dylan Cole owners – but more on that later.

Let’s take a quick look back at Cushing’s career with the Texans. He was taken 15th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft and honestly, his rookie season was his best as an IDP. He compiled 134 total tackles, 4 interceptions, 5 sacks and 10 passes defended. He followed that up with 76 and 114-tackle seasons and that’s when his career starting taking a downward tumble. He got hit with a four-game suspension for a PED Violation and went through multiple injuries year-in, year-out.

Fast forward to 2017 and Cushing was once again hit with a PED Violation and suspended for ten games during the season. This time though the Texans were ready and had the depth to manage this situation. They had drafted Zach Cunningham in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft and brought in UDFA Dylan Cole.

So if you’re one of those owners who have Cushing rostered, he’ll be one of the easiest drops for you this off-season. The 31-year-old inside linebacker will probably never get another starting role anywhere. He is a liability in coverage so he’ll pretty much provide just an early-down depth. Even if Cushing signs with a new team, you’re better off not bothering because there are so many more LBs out there who will give you a bigger impact.

What does this move do for IDP owners and the other LBs on the Texans?

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Benardrick McKinney

He’s quietly been the leader of the ILBs in the last couple of seasons and will be a free agent in 2019. So unless the Texans extend him, this will be his last season down in Houston. After his breakout season in 2016, he disappointed IDP owners in 2017 and may have left a bad taste in some mouths. On a positive note, he is one of the better ILBs to put pressure on the quarterback. He had 12 QB Hurries last season which was good for third amongst ILBs. Just don’t ask him to cover any TEs.

With Dylan Cole in his rear view, McKinney must have a bounce-back season otherwise it’ll be the Cole show next to Zach Cunningham. It is a contract year for McKinney so it wouldn’t a surprise if he started balling this coming season. Another gimmick that could happen is if Cole does outplay McKinney, what if they tried McKinney at the EDGE position? That could be something to watch or keep in mind if he does end up staying in Houston.

Zach Cunningham

Cunningham put together an impressive rookie season for the Texans after stepping into the starting lineup in week two after Cushing got hit with the suspension. Cunningham took the job and never looked back, relishing the opportunity and ending up as the highest-graded ILB for the Texans. He was my LB1 coming into the season and now he’ll be heading into the off-season as the clear-cut starter at ILB. He played nearly 80% of snaps during the season and was decent against the pass, but he was strongest against the run where he had a solid 44 stops on the season – good for 14th-best amongst ILBs and tops among rookies.

If you haven’t already tried to acquire Cunningham this off-season, it wouldn’t hurt to try even if it’ll cost you a late second round pick. You can tell the game was getting comfortable for him as in his last five he put together 41 tackles, 5 TFLs, 4 PDs, and 1.5 sacks – all the while scoring 12 fantasy points or more four of the five games. The future leader of the defense is on the up, and I hope you’ll be along for the ride.

Dylan Cole

Cole is a great story as he was a UDFA signed by the Texans and has shown flashes of his talent. He’s made us question how he ended up going undrafted. He complements Cunningham very well as Cole is a better coverage LB and needs to improve against the run, while Cunningham is the opposite. He played in 12 games last season and saw 27% of snaps – mainly on passing downs.

When Cole was in coverage he allowed eight receptions on 15 targets for a combined 18 yards! Opposing QBs have a rating of 19.4 when throwing to Cole and he’s racked up 2 INTs to go along with 1 PD. With McKinney still on the roster, there’s a good chance we’re a year early on Cole but his role should increase next season. There will come a time when it’ll be hard to keep him off the field. But with Cushing now out of the picture, it’s more than likely Cole is the next man up at either ILB position.

Cole is a solid buy target this off-season If you have the roster space to stash him, I’d advise to do so. Sometimes it might be better to be a little early than late and miss out on a potential LB2 – that’s Cole’s ceiling.

All in all, this move is probably best for the Texans as they’re moving forward with younger legs and a fresh start at ILB. I’m also expecting the Texans to pick up another ILB or two this off-season, mainly for depth purposes, but I have no worries on either Cunningham or Cole. The Texans also save nearly eight million against the cap with this move and they can address other needs this off-season to help bolster the defense once again.

Save yourself a headache. Good riddance Brian Cushing. Best of luck in your future endeavors as your IDP career was short-lived. One more PED violation and he’s probably out of the league.

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