How Texans linebacker Blake Cashman approaches ‘exciting’ free agency: ‘Going to come down to where I’m most valued’

HOUSTON – Years before Blake Cashman emerged as the leading tackler on the AFC South division champion Texans’ defense, he was an overlooked high school football player hoping to earn a college scholarship.

Due to an injury and not attending college football camps where he could have been exposed to more recruiters, Cashman was lightly recruited out of high school in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. He enrolled at the University of Minnesota as a walk-on after considering North Dakota State, Minnesota-Duluth and St. Thomas where he would have played football and basketball.

Once overshadowed, from being 197 pounds as a high school senior to now being 6-foot-1, 237 pounds through his devotion to the weight room, getting drafted by the New York Jets in the fifth round and having led the Texans with a career-high 106 tackles this season, it’s been quite a climb for Cashman.

Now, Cashman, 27, has emerged as an intriguing commodity in free agency for NFL teams looking for a fast, smart and technically sound off-the-ball defender with the versatility to line up at all three linebacker positions. Cashman told KPRC 2 his preference remains to stay with the Texans with communication ongoing between him and the team.

League sources emphasized that Cashman is expected to have a strong market and is likely to test free agency. If the Texans and Cashman can’t agree on a price for him, which could range between $5 million and $7 million annually on the open market, then he’ll likely be playing for a new team next fall and sign elsewhere this week after free agency officially begins Wednesday afternoon.

“First and foremost, it’s going to come down to what my role is and how much of a priority I am for that team,” Cashman said Sunday night. “I feel like I’ve proved myself to be a three-down linebacker, whether it’s Mike linebacker or Will. Mike was new to me this year, I want to be able to listen to what opportunities are out there because it’s my first time in this position.

“I’ve made it very clear to the team and my agent that whatever opportunities come my way, Houston is going to have the chance to make an offer or counteroffer to keep me here because I do believe staying here is the best option. It’s great for both parties. They know me, I know them. What they do well is perfect for what I need. So, I’m not going to make any decisions without going back to Houston first.”

Cashman, a former special teams standout acquired in a trade from the Jets two seasons ago for a sixth-round draft pick, became the Texans’ leading tackler and their defensive signal caller last season in a career breakthrough season.

Cashman is expected to have a healthy market if he leaves the Texans and they may not be willing to spend enough to keep him from leaving. It’s not regarded as a lock at all that he’ll return and the Texans may explore a free agent market with an eye toward hard-hitting Tennessee Titans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who’s interested in the Texans, per sources, after playing for Texans coach DeMeco Ryans with the San Francisco 49ers.

“I think Cash’s role has kind of grown sort of incrementally each year,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said at the NFL scouting combine. “We traded for him with the idea that he would have an impact in the kicking game, which he has. I think when he’s had the opportunity to play in the defense, I mean he led us in tackles this year, which I’m sure nobody had in their bingo card. Cash has done a lot of great things for us. We’ll work through the process. If we have the opportunity to bring him back, I think he’ll have a good role on the team.”

Cashman is taking an even-keeled approach toward being a free agent for the first time. This is a position he’s worked hard to achieve: having options.

“I would say exciting more than anything, but definitely overwhelming,” Cashman said. “It’s a process that’s new to me. As you go through the process, you have to remain patient. It’s not until Monday when you can begin legally speaking to other teams and really find out what the legitimate offers are. With all the excitement and information gathering, it’s definitely exciting, but it’s a good problem to have. Excited is the one word I would use to describe it. I’m not going to lie. It’s overwhelming, but it’s a good problem to have.

“It’s the first time I’ve been in this position. It’s the first time I’ve had so many potential opportunities or offers. I’m trying to go through my mind and think about what’s the best situation for me financially and for my career. I’m someone who thinks long-term. When I make my decision, it’s going to come down to where am I valued the most and have the most significant role. I’ve got a taste for winning and starting and playing in this league at a high level. It’s not something I want to slow down. It was a great year to build off of and there’s a lot of meat on the bone to play more ball.”

Cashman started 13 of 14 games played last season, upgrading his durability after dealing with hamstring injuries in the past. He had two sacks for the season, intercepted his first career pass in a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and had a career-high nine tackles for losses with five quarterback hits.

Cashman was ranked as the fourth best linebacker in pass coverage in the NFL by analytics sites.

“I think I definitely demonstrated that I can be a three-down linebacker,” Cashman said. “With Houston, I was able to demonstrate I can play multiple positions. Throughout the year, even in the same series, I was jumping between Mike, Sam and Will linebacker and was asked to do many things. So, it’s always good to be pinned as a smart player. As a linebacker, you are the quarterback of the defense. Versatility is something that’s always very important and very valued in this league.”

Cashman had 19 tackles in a win over the Arizona Cardinals. He combined with cornerback Shaq Griffin for a key tackle on New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara on a clutch fourth-down stop late in the fourth quarter to help preserve a win and was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Cashman learned a lot from playing for Ryans, a former Pro Bowl linebacker.

“His intelligence is something every player benefits from,” Cashman said. “As a guy who played a game, he understands the challenge linebackers face from down to down in this league. He teaches us better techniques, using our hands to get off blocks, get in the window to make a PBU or better yet an interception, I was more prepared for every game and every situation because of DeMeco Ryans and the knowledge he shared with the team.”

So, why not run it back?

“Yeah, I would love to,” Cashman said. “I’ve been in constant communication with the team and the coaches with so many people trying to sell me on Houston. You don’t have to sell me on Houston. I want to be here. I think it’s a perfect fit. It’s great for what I need as a player. It’s something I hope we can get done in the next couple of days.”

When Cashman cashes in as a free agent, he plans to purchase a home. One goal: having a trophy room for his collection of game balls and jerseys.

“My modest roots, I won’t change a thing,” Cashman said. “I do want to get my own place, something permanent. I’m sick of picking up my stuff and moving every year.”

With the Golden Gophers, Cashman immediately earned a spot on special teams. One year later, he was the Holiday Bowl Defensive MVP and won a program award for underdog spirit. Once P.J. Fleck became the head coach, Cashman got his scholarship. He had 104 tackles in his first season as a starter and was named All-Big Ten Conference.

“Getting the scholarship, that was a thrill,” said Cashman, who has run the 40-yard dash in 4.50 seconds. “That was something I had a lot of confidence and belief that I could achieve. To have my coaches see that value in me, that was special. The most meaningful moment was when it was announced because of the love I felt from my teammates. It was great.”

Cashman attributes his upgraded production to a strict, ultra-detailed regimen of film study, exercise and proper nutrition. He’s a creature of habit whose instinctive play and leadership has made him an extension of Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke’s teachings on the field.

“It’s great to be in the position I’m in,” Cashman said. “Looking back over the years, understanding this is what it’s all about, having all that hard work pay off. All the determination. It was a lot of times I was discouraged, but the message is keep pushing forward, ignoring all the noise, ignoring the people who told me I wouldn’t be in this position.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC-2 and click2houston.com.