Houston Texans have multiple options for the future of the safety position

The Houston Texans have been searching for a long-term answer at safety since Glover Quin signed with the Lions in 2013. Well, it now seems as though they have found MULTIPLE long-term answers at the position.

Last year the Houston Texans secondary was ranked 23rd in passing yards per game, however, they had cornerbacks they could trust in Johnathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson, and even Kevin Johnson to some extent. So upgrading the safety position was of a higher priority in the offseason.

So the Texans had to make moves in free agency and moves from within to at least find a starter opposite of Andre Hal, who had developed into quite the safety after moving over from corner years prior.

First, they signed Tyrann Mathieu to a one year prove it deal. Then, they drafted Justin Reid in the third round of the NFL draft. Mathieu was slotted to get the first crack at the starting position across from Hal. However, prior to the beginning of the regular season, Hal was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma and his future football career was in question, let alone this season.

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So, the Houston Texans made the move that they have been preparing for over the last couple of years. They moved Jackson to safety. So far, each and every move has worked out flawlessly for the team.

Mathieu is having one of his best years as a pro with 72 tackles and two interceptions, already through 12 games. He is on pace to record a career high in tackles and has played well in multiple different positions across the secondary.

Jackson started the year as the starting safety across from Mathieu and he showed up and showed out! Early in the season, Jackson was one of the best safeties in the entire NFL, forcing turnovers, batting down passes, and flipping offensive players all over the field.

However, with the Texans injury issues at the cornerback position he has been forced to play a majority of his snaps at cornerback. All he has done is continue to ball out with a Pro Football Focus (subscription required) grade of 85.8, ranking #6 amongst all cornerbacks.

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Reid has also played very well, playing as well as any rookie in the NFL right now. The thing the Houston Texans like the most is that this guy just does not miss tackles. He has a total of 60 tackles, 3 interceptions and is the #10 ranked safety by Pro Football Focus.

And last, but definitely not least, Andre Hal. Hal has done something amazing by beating Hodgkins Lymphoma and then coming back to play just months after being diagnosed. Hal has played the least out of this quartet of safeties but he has still made plays for this team. Week after week he has progressed and against the Browns, Hal made a nice play recording his first interception of the season.

The Houston Texans came into the season not fully sure what they had at the safety position. Now the position is one of strength and a key to the Texans current nine-game win streak. Mathieu, Jackson, Reid, and Hal have all had wonderful seasons and they’ve powered this defense to be one of the best in the league.

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