Houston Texans: Four reasons why the team should run a 4-3 defense

Coverage would be better by default

First, the coverage gets better by default because guys like Mercilus and Clowney will no longer be called upon dip into coverage. If they do, it would be very rare and likely to only cover the flat. So, that alone should make the coverage better.

More from House of Houston

• Are you the 2021 FanSided Sports Fan of the Year?
• Houston Texans: 4 reasons Romeo Crennel is right coach right now
• Astros-Twins Wild Card Series: 5 things to know as MLB postseason begins
• Houston Texans: The Most Underrated Sports Drought Ever
• Houston Texans: J.J. Watt’s early case for NFL Hall of Fame

Now, let’s talk about that 4-2-5 again. If the Texans, roster as is, wanted to up their linebacker depth, then they could opt to keep Cole on the bench. This, too, would increase the team’s coverage. A 4-2-5 wouldn’t have to be the primary package but, on primary passing downs, it would be easy to go to.

In the Houston Texans 4-2-5, they should run three safeties and two corners. Running Tyrann Mathieu and Justin Reid as the primary safeties should be the go-to guys no matter what. Adding in Kareem Jackson as the fifth DB would make this coverage unit phenomenal. He could resume a role in the slot when Mathieu and Reid are. He could dip back high if the time wanted to slide up Reid into the box.

Aaron Colvin and Johnathan Joseph would be the corners. That pairing should be able to take on the majority of any team’s top two receivers. The dedicated pass rush of the four studs up front should also help take pressure off of the secondary.

Will the Houston Texans actually shift to a 4-3 base defense? Probably not. Should they? Maybe. Regardless it is something the RAC and the team should consider. It could maximize the personnel that the team currently has.