3. DT D.J. Reader
Perhaps the biggest snub, D.J. Reader should be on the initial Pro Bowl roster. Instead, the NFL named him an alternate behind Cameron Heyward, Chris Jones and Geno Atkins.
Reader should replace one, with all respect towards each of the three aforementioned. The fourth-year Clemson product may have cooled down from his fast start to the season and he doesn’t have the pass-rush numbers (2.5 sacks), but he’s the engine of the Texans’ defense.
“D.J. has had a good year. He’s been very consistent, very productive,” said coach Bill O’Brien on Dec. 2. “He’s very, very difficult to block, he’s a very active player, he’s a great teammate and that needs to continue, and he knows that.”
Pro Football Focus agrees as they named him one of their snubs. His 87.6 overall grade is second in the conference at his position. He has quadrupled his QB hits number from 2018 to 2019, tallying 12 on the season.