With training camp right around the corner, as well as the 2017 season, we will predict how the depth chart will look for each position. For this article, the focus is going to be on the Houston Texans defensive line position.
Houston Texans Defensive Line Depth Chart Projections
Right Defensive End – J.J. Watt
It takes a special kind of player to only play three games and still get voted as the 35th best player of the 2016 season. That’s exactly what the Texans have in J.J. Watt, a special kind of player. Barring, God forbid, another big injury, there’s no one taking Watt’s spot on the line. To be honest, I could’ve listed Watt as the starter at any of these positions and you would have to agree.
The three-time defensive player of the year award winner has been the staple of this Houston defense for the last six years. Opposing offenses cringe when preparing for the Texans. Even some of the best offensive lineman need double coverage to slow down Watt. Even if he’s not actually getting to the quarterback, which he usually does, a double coverage on Watt opens things up for the other guys on the defensive front.
Nose Tackle – D.J. Reader
D.J. Reader showed signs of greatness in his rookie season. His strength and size seems to give him the advantage in one on one matchups and help make him a great gap stuffer for the Texans. With seven starts in 2016, Reader finished his rookie season with 22 tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection. Reader also started in both playoff games and recorded three tackles and a clean looking sack on Oakland’s backup quarterback, Connor Cook.
With Vince Wilfork retiring (I think), Reader will see much more time as a starter this season. The best part about Reader is that he’s big but also versatile. Houston can line Reader up at the nose tackle position the majority of the time but he’s also able to play defensive end as well. We saw a few times last season where Reader lined up at defensive end. He has the size and enough speed to rush through blockers and get to the backfield.
Carlos Watkins should see some reps at nose tackle this season as well. In Houston’s 3-4 defense, Watkins could easily be plugged into one of the defensive end spots as well. I don’t expect Watkins to get a start this season but he should have plenty of time in the rotation all season.
Left Defensive End – Jadeveon Clowney
Former first round pick Jadeveon Clowney seemed like a bust at first. During his rookie season, Clowney played in only four games and finished with only seven tackles before a knee injury ended his season. I’m sure I’m not the only one who wondered if we would ever see the same Clowney we all saw on YouTube during the South Carolina-Michigan game. After his 2016 season, that’s exactly what Houston has now.
Clowney finished with his career best season with 52 tackles, six sacks and two pass deflections in 2016. He also added three tackles, two pass deflections, and his first NFL interception in the playoffs. Clowney is another special kind of player like Watt who can play just about any position on that front seven. He’s a great defensive end for a zone blitz scheme. He can easily drop back into coverage while a linebacker blitzes or even line up as an outside linebacker to either rush the passer or cover a zone.
