Houston Texans: Evaluating 2017 defense, 2018 outlook by position
By T.A. Mock
The 2017 has ended. The injuries were rampant and disappointment came in waves. The team finished the year with a 4-12 record. The defense had its ups and downs, but there are still some rays of hope left on this side of the ball. Follow along through these slides to see how the defense fared this year and what 2018 could hold!
Houston Texans fans — following my recent review of the offense, this slide show will focus on the defense. The defense was healthy to start the season. However, that slice of heaven quickly came crashing down. Brian Cushing: suspended. J.J. Watt: injured. Whitney Mercilus: injured. This is just the start of a laundry list of players missing times for various reason.
HOWEVER, injuries heal. And on top of returning stars, Watt and Mercilus, the Houston Texans will field a group of rising young players in 2018. Rick Smith has not left the cupboard completely barren. Brian Gaine, the team’s incoming GM, will have some work to do to help bring this defense back to national prominence.
With Mike Vrabel getting the Tennessee Titans’ head coaching job, the defense will go through transition again. Romeo Crennel will be stepping back into the defensive coordinator spot. RAC led a Watt-less defense to 2nd overall in 2016. Having Crennel back in the saddle for the 2018 is nothing but a positive.
Like the offense, the defense has some really bright points and some really dull points. After all, this unit is just one year away from being the number two defense in the nation. There probably should and will be some turnover in key positions like cornerback and safety. The front seven will look largely the same next year. With the right moves, look for this defense to return to prominence once again in 2018.