Houston Texans 'Breakout' Linebacker Extension Candidate?

Houston Texans linebacker Blake Cashman is one of the highest-rated players at his position. Could he be an extension candidate this offseason?

With quarterback C.J. Stroud set to miss a Week 15 game against the Tennessee Titans as he remains in concussion protocol, it's possible that the 7-6 Houston Texans will fall back to .500 this Sunday. 

However, the first year of coach DeMeco Ryans' tenure has been undeniably successful, and while Stroud is likely to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, there's plenty of other success stories on the Texans. Unfortunately, many of those other success stories are also currently on the mend. 

Blake Cashman has had a breakout season for the Houston Texans.  :: Troy Taormina/USA Today

Among those is linebacker Blake Cashman, who will also miss Sunday's game against the Titans as he deals with a hamstring injury. He joins a list of young talent the Texans will be without Sunday that includes Stroud, pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. and receiver Tank Dell. 

That's the bad news. The good news is that Cashman -- who had been a special teamer for the bulk of his first four NFL seasons -- has emerged as one of the better linebackers in the sport this season. In fact, Pro Football Focus says that Cashman ranks seventh among linebackers this season in wins above replacement (WAR) at 0.21. 

"In his first year as a full-time starter, Cashman has arguably been the breakout player at the position," PFF wrote. "His 87.8 PFF grade is tied for fourth among all linebackers. His 87.8 run-defense grade puts him fourth at his position, and he has missed just 7.8% of the tackles he has attempted." 

Titans Decision to Wear Oilers Throwbacks vs. Texans a Slap in the Face?

A fifth-round pick by the New York Jets in 2019, the Texans acquired him for a sixth-round pick in a trade last March. Despite only starting one game a season ago, Cashman was productive enough that the Texans signed him to a one-year extension. He's responded by posting 87 combined tackles, nine tackles for a loss, five quarterback hits, two sacks and a fumble recovery. 

Presumably, general manager Nick Caserio and the aforementioned Ryans will look to re-sign Cashman this offseason. Houston will certainly miss his presence in Week 15 as they try to remain in the AFC playoff mix.