Houston Texans: Three reasons why Justin Reid should win the DROY

The Houston Texans appeared to have a steal in the third round with Justin Reid. However, he’s surpassed expectations and should win defensive rookie of the year, here’s why.

The Houston Texans traded away their first-round pick in 2018 when they traded up to select Deshaun Watson in the first round of the 2017 draft. They also traded away their second-round pick in the 2018 draft to rid themselves of Brock Osweiler.

That left the team making their first selection of the 2018 draft on the latter half of day two in the third round. Typically, teams expect to get fringe starters with the potential to develop into above-average starters in the third round. So, the 2018 draft looked like a potential wash for the Texans when it came to contributors for this season.

However, for whatever reason, teams began to pass on Justin Reid who was viewed by some scouts and media members as a fringe first-round prospect, if not, then he wouldn’t escape the early part of the second round. Somehow, he fell all the way to the Texans first selection of the draft in the third round.

He looked like a complete steal from the second that the Houston Texans selected him. He is a premier athlete that excelled at a top school in Stanford. He looked solid in all aspects of the game and a guy that could come in and be a starter all year long and make a definite impact and somehow, the Texans landed him in the third round.

If it’s possible, I believe Reid has surpassed expectations this season. He’s been a perfect running mate for Tyrann Mathieu at the backend of the Texans defense. He has excelled at the NFL level after 31 teams placed a large chip on his shoulder.

Reid has been so good, in fact, he has placed himself firmly in the rookie defensive player of the year conversation. Let’s take a look at three reasons why he is in the conversation and why those reasons indicate he could actually take home the hardware.