Houston Texans: Top five players in franchise history
The Houston Texans are nearing their 16th season of NFL football this fall. Although they are still the youngest NFL franchise they have already had enough great players to make a list like this one. With that being said, let’s get started.
Honorable Mentions:
There were a few players that have had great careers as Houston Texans but didn’t quite make the cut. The short list of players I left off of this list are DeAndre Hopkins, Brian Cushing, Owen Daniels and DeMeco Ryans.
Hopkins will find himself on a list like this one soon enough, but it’s too early to crown him as an ‘All-Time’ player. Cushing, Daniels and Ryans have had the longevity, but fell just short of making the cut. Let’s move on to number five.
Number Five: Duane Brown
Duane Brown has been a top five left tackle for much of his time in the NFL. The anchor of the Houston Texans’ offensive line has been shutting down the best pass rushers in his nine seasons.
Brown has been an ironman for the Texans as well, he’s only missed 12 career regular season games. The three-time pro bowler and 2011 All-Pro has earned his spot on this list.
Number Four: Matt Schaub
Yes, that’s right, Matt Schaub. Schaub has by far been the best Quarterback in Texans history, we’ll have to wait and see how DeShaun Watson works out. For now, it’s all Schaub.
In his seven seasons with the Texans, Schaub threw for over 23,000 yards, 124 touchdowns and won 46 games.
The two-time pro bowler will unfortunately be remembered for his abysmal 2013 season rather than the successful campaigns he had with Houston.
Number Three: Arian Foster
Arian Foster‘s journey to NFL stardom is a success story that any fan can appreciate. The Tennessee running back was signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2009 NFL draft. The rest is history.
Foster blew up in the 2010 NFL season, leading the league in rushing with 1,616 yards and had over 2,000 all-purpose yards.
Foster had one of the greatest three-year stretches for a running back in NFL history (2010-2012 seasons). Unfortunately, nagging hamstring injuries derailed what could’ve been a hall of fame career.
Number Two: Andre Johnson
Now that I’ve revealed number two we all know who is number one. Nonetheless Andre Johnson is number two on my list.
Had the Texans been able to retain Johnson and allow him to be a career Texan he might be number one. However, Johnson is a first ballot hall of fame player. He will have the first retired number in franchise history.
Johnson had over 1,000 receptions with the Texans, 64 touchdowns and 13,597 receiving yards. Johnson was apart of many teams that suffered from poor quarterback play. It begs the question of what his statistics would look like if he had a good quarterback his whole career?
The seven-time pro bowler and 2-time all-pro receiver will be remembered for his silent leadership. A single star on struggling teams at the beginning of his career. Also, who could forget his beatdown of Cortland Finnegan?
Next: Cut the crap Duane, end your standoff!
Number One: JJ Watt
JJ Watt is number one on this list because he’s already in the discussion as the greatest defensive player in NFL history.
In just six seasons, Watt has 299 tackles, 76 sacks and my personal favorite, 45 passes defended. He quickly became a household name for NFL fans across the country.
At the pace that Watt is on he’ll find himself on a short list with Lawrence Taylor, Derrick Johnson and Bruce Smith as the greatest pass rushers in NFL history.
Watt is number one on this list of all-time Texans players and he has a great chance to be crowned as the greatest defensive player ever if his next six NFL seasons look anything like his first six.