The Houston Texans’ 2016 NFL draft class was somewhat average, and Pro Football Focus’ “wins above replacement” metrics seem to spell this out.
However, there was one bright spot in the class from four seasons ago, defensive tackle D.J. Reader. According to the football analytics and scouting firm, the former Clemson Tiger has become one of the league’s best inside defenders.
Fifth-round pick D.J. Reader has emerged as one of the better interior players in the NFL. He earned an 85.5 overall grade in 2019 to go along with 36 pressures and 35 stops.
The Texans still have their first two picks from the draft in receiver Will Fuller and center Nick Martin still on the club, and Martin earned a second contract with the club.
However, third-round receiver Braxton Miller was cut in the 2018 preseason, and fourth-round running back Tyler Ervin was waived in November of that season. Fifth-round safety K.J. Dillon, the second-to-last pick before Reader, was cut at the end of the 2017 preseason.
Reader played out the last year of his contract, and is set to become a restricted free agent in the offseason. However, the expectation is the club will find a way to retain Reader.