Houston Texans: Top 30 players in franchise history

The Texans looked to double down and form an elite linebacking duo in 2009 when they selected Brian Cushing in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft out of USC. Cushing was apart of an elite trio at USC teaming up with Clay Matthews and Rey Maualuga.

Cushing took the league by storm in his rookie season. He amassed 133 tackles, collected four interceptions, four sacks and two forced fumbles. He was an absolute stud and brought the second NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year trophy to Houston after DeMeco Ryans did it four years prior in 2006.

Cushing was a stalwart and leader in the middle of the Texans defense for nearly a decade. He was an elite athletic linebacker that could do it all. He had sideline to sideline range and the ability to knock the crap out of any player on the field.

In a historic mic’d up moment, Cushing was lead blocking on an interception return, leveled an offensive lineman and then headbutted him without a helmet. The man was a psycho in the best kind of way.

Unfortunately, injuries and PED suspensions sapped him of his impact and the Texans cut ties after the 2017 season. Those taint his legacy a little bit, but he is still one of the best players to even touch the field as a Texan. He had 674 tackles, 13.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and eight interceptions. He was also just brought back as an assistant coach to Bill O’Brien’s staff heading into 2019.