Houston Texans: Evaluating 2017 defense, 2018 outlook by position

Defensive Line

J.J. Watt. I contemplated on whether or not to say more, but I figured I probably should. With Watt out essentially for these past two years, it has allowed and forced some guys to step up. This group will be an anchor for this defense for years to come.

Defensive Lineman for 2018:   Watt, D.J. Reader, Christian Covington, Carlos Watkins, Brandon Dunn, Joel Heath, Chunky Clements, Matt Godin, Marcus Hardison (Futures/Reserve)

Free Agents: Angelo Blackson (RFA)

Watt’s back injury in 2016 was equal parts scary and worrisome. In 2017, he returned and started to gain some serious steam. Then he broke his leg. While this injury was also gruesome, once a broken leg is healed and recovered from there should be little to no setbacks.

I’m pretty sure when he posted this tweet, you could hear a simultaneous sigh of relief and shout of joy from Houston across the globe. Watt will be back next year and should be as dominant as ever.

The rest of this group aren’t slouches either.

Reader headlines the rest of this group as the Houston Texans nose tackle. The nose tackle position is not valued as much as other positions or Reader wouldn’t have lasted until the 5th round. Pro Football Focus rated Reader as their 22nd best defensive lineman with an overall grade of 84.2. Bleacher Report has Reader in their top 15 defensive tackles in their NFL 1000 Series. Needless to say, the Houston Texans have an absolute beast to anchor the middle of their defense for years to come.

Covington, Dunn, and Watkins round out this group with some very solid depth.  Crennel likes to run a multiple-front defense with a base 3-4. Covington and Watkins make for a solid third option when and in that base front. All three of these guys are solid against the run and rush the passer on the interior.

All five of these guys fit well if the team stays in a 3-4 or moves to a 4-3. Reader and Watt would be the interior guys and Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney would be the ends. Covington and Watkins would round out the group if the team goes 4-3 with Dunn the odd man out. If the team stays 3-4 then Dunn likely makes the roster.

2018 Outlook Grade: A     These guys are versatile and extremely athletic. This allows them to line up all across the line of scrimmage and do some damage.