Houston Texans: Four reasons why the team should run a 4-3 defense
By T.A. Mock
The linebackers are perfect for the switch
The Houston Texans linebackers would also be perfect for 4-3 defense. The Texans are stacked with rangy, athletic linebackers that fly around the football field. They sprint from sideline to sideline and have a nose for the football.
Benardrick McKinney would stay entrenched at the MIKE with his downhill excellence and leadership. He can fly in and demolish runningbacks in the hole in the run game. He is excellent sprinting through holes on a delayed blitz. He can also cover at an above average level.
Cunningham would slot in as one of the OLBs in the 4-3 defense. Cunningham is the most athletic linebacker on this team. He is about as fast as they come. He can more than hold his own in coverage against tight ends, runnings backs, and even some wide receiver routes.
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Dylan Cole would then be last of the three starts at linebacker. Cole played well down the stretch for the Texans in 2017. He stepped up in the face of injuries and provided for a depleted team. He’s picked up where he left off so far in the preseason. He’s earned more playing time and switching to a 4-3 would afford him that.
The backups get a little dicey here but, Brian Peters, Josh Keyes, and Kennan Gilchrist could provide some serviceable backup play. Kalambayi also has the versatility to be a back OLB rather than a backup DE. LaTroy Lewis, if he makes the team, could potentially make the switch to a full-time LB as well.
Cunningham and McKinney are also athletic and fast enough that the Texans could even run a 4-2-5 and have Cole come off of the bench. Speaking of the 4-2-5…