Houston Texans: Is A.J. Bouye On The Brink Of Being Elite?

The Houston Texans have locked up the AFC South and are now playoff-bound for the second straight year.

As similar to last season, it was an grueling and interesting journey in regard to how they got there but damn it, they’ve made it!

For the entire season, we’ve seen some stellar defensive performances out of this team minus the presence of J.J. Watt and absolutely dreadful performance of the offense.

Despite all of that, the Texans have found innovative ways to win and could be on the brink of having double-digit win season for the first time since 2012.

But there has been a steady constant in regard to why our defense has been successful.

Who am I talking about?

I’m talking about A.J. Bouye.

Yes, this undrafted free agent that we picked up off the street some three years ago is killing it ya’ll and it isn’t even a joke.

As much as I criticized his play in his early years, he has really come on strong despite doing so on a part-time basis.

He made has debut in 2013 which was, by far, the worst season in Texans’ history because of the expectations that were set forth after having a banner 2012 season that ended with a loud thud.

Yeah, we were 2-14 and we all needed a scapegoat and I railed on Bouye hard because we just so damn BAD.

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But the numbers aren’t lying about his success this year.

He continues to be one of Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded defensive backs with his grades usually hovering around the 90s.

To be consistently good for the whole length of the season like he has is an understatement and a testament to the type of work he has put in to get better.

Throughout Saturday’s Christmas Eve soiree with the Cincinnati Bengals, he broke up pass after pass.

He refused to let Brandon LaFell, Cody Core, Tyler Boyd….anybody he was covering, get the best of him!

He had a total of three pass breakups — I witnessed all three! — during said game.

Bouye was also the highest-graded defensive player by PFF in that match up earning a grade of 90.4.

His style of “elite-ish” play hasn’t gone unnoticed and ultimately somebody will reward him with a considerable bump in pay.

The Texans will have a lot of tough decisions to make as they’ll be in cap hell with a lot guys contracts escalating after this year.

Oh, and did I mention our backup quarterback will be owed around $19 million next season?

That’s another damper in the oven.

But I believe the Texans should make Bouye a priority in the off season because excellent corners like he don’t grow on trees.

But is Bouye an elite corner?

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I think he’s on the brink of hitting that mark and he will.

We’ll have to see.

Who were the other highest-graded defensive notables last week?

I’m glad you asked!

They are: Kareem Jackson (81.6), Whitney Mercilus (81.3), Jadeveon Clowney (80.8) and Vince Wilfork (79.0).

This defense continues to make up for the inadequacies of the our offense and it makes me wonder what if we had a balanced attack?

We’d likely be talking about playing in Super Bowl LI in our own city!

But for now, let’s just take the success of the season for what it is and hope for the best.

Go Texans.

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