The Houston Texans had a five-man class in the 2020 NFL Draft, and three of their selections came on defense.
Second-round defensive tackle Ross Blacklock, third-round outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard, and cornerback John Reid are expected to contribute to the defense, even following an offseason that lacked the tradition programs to acclimate rookies.
“I think those guys have good ability,” associate head coach Romeo Crennel said. “You can see it on the practice field, but you know my deal about rookies. They’re rookies. They’re going to make mistakes and they still have a lot to learn.”
Normally, rookies would have a rookie mini-camp within two weeks after the draft followed by the organized team activities and a mandatory mini-camp in June. Training camp would feature four preseason games throughout August to get rookies ready for the speed of the game and impact of the collisions.
All of those are gone in 2020, and Blacklock, Greenard, and Reid will have to be ready to go Sept. 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs to start the regular season.
“That will be a huge game,” said Crennel. “That’s a big game. So, to have to feel your way through the game probably is not the best thing for a player. That’s why the veteran players who have experience, I think they’re going to operate better.”
Even though the season may be skewed more towards veterans, Crennel likes what the trio could bring to the Texans overall.
Said Crennel: “But these young players we do have, I like all of them. I see the talent that they do have and I think they’re going to be very good players for us.”
Blacklock is taking over for D.J. Reader at defensive tackle, Greenard bolstering the Texans’ pass rush, and Reid has the ability to play slot corner in new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s defense.