The age-old quandary: Chris Clark or Roderick Johnson?
With their starting right tackle on injured reserve, Tytus Howard (meniscus), the Houston Texans have taken an unorthodox approach to the position.
Recently, those tuning in can get accustomed to seeing Chris Clark, No. 77, and Roderick Johnson, No. 63, rotate through the position.
Since the Texans placed Howard on injured reserve before Week 13, Clark has played in 60% in both games, while seeing starts in each. Johnson has taken the remaining 40%. That’s odd.
One of Houston’s right tackles stands as a massive upgrade over the other. It’s the 24-year-old Johnson, who has out-paced the 34-year-old Clark as the candidate that should secure the job heading into a vital three-week stretch.
According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson is playing the part of one of the best tackles in the NFL. While Clark receives the majority of the snaps, Johnson is 12th in the NFL in overall blocking grade and 11th in pass-blocking in those last two weeks.
In Roderick Johnson, the Texans may have found a solid replacement at right tackle for the injured Tytus Howard.
His 76.3 overall and 84.5 pass block grades over the past two weeks are 12th and 11th, respectively, among 78 qualified tackles. pic.twitter.com/Ho0Ipp0E8g
— PFF HOU Texans (@PFF_Texans) December 11, 2019
Though Johnson’s analytical prowess has come while playing minimal stats, it remains a promising number. It’s also one that many expected.
In the preseason, Johnson warranted legitimate consideration to be the Texans’ starting left tackle of the future. Ultimately, that didn’t happen. Houston traded for Laremy Tunsil, who is playing the part of a top-5 player at his position. Howard, a first-round rookie, settled in at right tackle.
Johnson’s performance in exhibition games and training camp earned him a fan in quarterback Deshaun Watson.
“He’s a guy that works his tail off; he plays hard; he has a lot of effort; he’s very disciplined and he doesn’t make too many mistakes,” said Watson on Aug. 17. “He’s been doing a heck of a job and I’m comfortable sitting in the pocket with him at left tackle.”
Johnson, according to PFF, hasn’t allowed a sack since Week 2, a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 252 snaps, he grades in at a 67.3, 17.1 points higher than Clark.
Clark is 10 years older than Johnson. He will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. Johnson will be a restricted free agent.
In his limited playing time, Johnson has proven to be a productive and promising member of the offensive line. Clark, not so much. If the Texans want to do what’s best for their blocking unit, it’s clear who will get the start in Week 15 against the Tennessee Titans.