2. DE Charles Omenihu
In a post-J.J. Watt world, defensive end Charles Omenihu has seen an uptick in snaps, going from 18 in Week 7 to 22 in Week 8 to 38 in the next. A rookie out of Texas, he must turn an opportunity to place increased snaps into production. The Texans need it.
With Watt out, the Texans will continue to struggle to create consistent pressure. Omenihu can change that. A 6-5, 280-pound rookie with inside and outside versatility, “Big O,” as his teammates call him, is capable of getting to the passer. In 191 defensive snaps, he has tallied two strip-sacks, four hurries and six pressures.
Omenihu can be a play-maker for the Texans defensive line. The problem: he, like most of the unit, is hardly consistent. Houston will need to see him turn a new leaf in the department. If not, getting to quarterbacks will not be easy down the stretch with D.J. Reader and Whitney Mercilus receiving the bulk of the attention.