The Houston Texans are replete with talent, and their 10-6 record and repeat as AFC South champions only buttresses this fact.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Texans have three players who are among the top-101 NFL players from the 2019 season.
The first is three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who comes in at No. 39 on PFF’s list.
The best players in the NFL show up for the biggest occasions, and that typifies what DeAndre Hopkins did this season. In the first half of their playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, the team was moving him around to avoid the attention of Bills corner Tre’ Davious White, but in the second half they just decided to take him on, and Hopkins got the better of the battle for more than just one key play. In their second playoff game, Hopkins caught nine passes for 118 yards in a losing effort against the eventual Super Bowl champion Chiefs. Hopkins is one of the best in the game, and he’s at his best in the biggest moments.
The next Texans player to place on the list was actually defensive tackle D.J. Reader at No. 51. Pro Football Focus likes his ability to be a run-stuffer but also influence the pass rush. According to PFF, Reader, who is set to be a free agent in the 2020 offseason, had a 72.5 grade rushing the passer and had a career high 36 pressures on 409 pass rushes.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson placed 87th on the list. According to Pro Football Focus, it was Watson’s three games with sub-40.0 grades that caused him to fall to such a level. Otherwise, he is still considered a player northward of No. 50 in their rankings. The only quarterback lower than Watson on the list was Dallas Cowboys field general Dak Prescott, who came in at No. 93 in the rankings.