Clowney's contract high priority for Texans

INDIANAPOLIS -- Jadeveon Clowney took the proverbial next step in 2017, and the Texans intend to make sure his next performance happens in Houston.

General manager Brian Gaine, in his first season with the franchise having replaced Rick Smith in January, said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine the Texans are setting Clowney's contract as a high priority.

Clowney will make $13.846 million next season, which is the fifth-year option value for the 2014 No. 1 overall pick.

"That's something that we're currently evaluating right now," Gaine said. "The feasibility of that."

Linebacker Benardrick McKinney is also up for a new deal after this season and is on Gaine's priority list.

Keeping Clowney might become tricky given three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt is one of the market-setting comps that might be used in setting Clowney's market value.

The standard for defensive players is a $70 million guarantee to Denver Broncos pass rusher Von Miller.

Clowney, 25, was drafted the same year in which the Texans locked up Watt with a six-year, $100 million deal. Watt's contract included $51.86 million guaranteed.

--Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media