Houston Texans: Jahleel Addae is a solid, cost-effective signing at safety

The Houston Texans added to their safety stable with the signing of veteran safety Jahleel Addae. What could be his potential effect? Let’s take a look.

The Houston Texans offseason work is never done and they’re continuously looking for ways to improve the team through various avenues. I’d have to say that this NFL Draft was one of the best ones I’ve witnessed in terms of potential and each pick makes philosophical sense.

The seven picks this season definitely fulfill a need that the Houston Texans were lacking and there will some that will be able to start playing right away and some that will be brought along gently as they get their feet wet.

Unfortunately, with the talent deficiency that the Houston Texans have on the offensive line, there’s a good chance that we’re going to see a lot of Tytus Howard and Max Scharping in 2019. It’s a premonition that I know is going to come to fruition because it’s imperative that Deshaun Watson doesn’t get a league-high of 62 sacks on the season again.

Those two aforementioned gentlemen are speedy, intelligent guys that will likely blossom as time goes on and I’m absolutely thrilled that the Houston Texans invested in the offensive line earlier in the draft this season.

But you know what? One thing they didn’t address was the safety position. I had thought all through the course of the draft that Brian Gaine and his brass were going to select one at some point but they’ve decided to tap into the free agency route to help with the depth. Especially with Andre Hal announcing his retirement, the need for more safeties is dire to complement Justin Reid and Tashaun Gipson.

The Houston Texans just did that a few days ago with the signing of veteran safety Jahleel Addae, who has spent his entire six-season NFL career with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers.

John Pagano, who is the senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach for the Houston Texans, obviously endorsed — and likely pushed for this signing — as he spent 14 seasons with the Chargers’ organization in the coaching ranks and was their defensive coordinator from 2012-16.

To be honest, I think he’s the defensive coordinator in waiting to take over for the 71-year-old Romeo Crennel whenever he may decide to hang it up and call it a career. But I think that’s still a long way from now so let’s focus on the guy that team brought in.

What’s there to say about Addae?

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Addae had a 60.1 overall, 62.0 run defense, 70.2 tackling, 84.1 pass rush and 58.3 coverage grade for 2018. These numbers are barely satisfactory — with the exception of his ability to pass rush when it’s warranted for him to do so — and down from 2016 (where he had a 79.5 overall grade), arguably his best. Ironically, it was in the last season that Pagano was with the Chargers.

Pagano wants to finish what he started and try to get the most of his talent as it will be needed as a bolster to the secondary.

Quarterbacks had a 114.9 passer rating when targeting Addae (29 times) and receivers had a 79.3

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percent catch rate when the ball came his way. Those numbers aren’t impressive at all; but, as with 2016, the potential exists for him to get his groove back.

Addae amassed 71 tackles — 22 assisted — with 11 of those being missed coupled with 15 run stops. He allowed one touchdown, had one interception and had one pass breakup as well. He also recorded four pressures with included three QB hurries and one sack.

His overall grade has him ranked 31st among safeties with at least 1,399 snaps and Addae is also ranked 33rd at his position in run stop percentage (2.5).

All in all, Addae is a solid, durable pickup as he has appeared in all 16 games for the past two seasons outside of early 2016, where he missed eight games with a broken clavicle bone.

As with the free agents the Houston Texans have signed this season, they provide a lot of promise but it remains to be seen what their overall impact will be. Let’s hope it’s a strong one!

Welcome to H-Town Jahleel.

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