Tag: Jalen Pitre

Watch: Texans DB Jalen Pitre records first interception of 2024 in rival game

Houston Texans defensive back Jalen Pitre recorded his first interception since his rookie season against Colts QB Anthony Richardson

Kamari Lassiter nearly had a pick-six on second down.

Jalen Pitre finished the assignment on the next play.

On 3rd-and-5 with less than a minute remaining in the first half, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson elected to go to the air again for the conversion.

He paid for it as Pitre came down with his first interception of the regular season and his first since Week 17 of the 2022 campaign.


Outside of the 69-yard passing touchdown, Houston has shut down the Colts passing attack. Richardson finished the first half 2-for-15 with 81 yards and a touchdown and an interception.

Richardson’s 13.3% completion percentage is the lowest in a half in Colts history since 1991.

Despite the lack of a passing game, Indianapolis has remained in the game due to continued struggles along the offensive line.

Houston’s defense has eight takeaways in the 10 quarters after recording just three in the first five games.

Pitre’s interception is the first Texans takeaway at NRG Stadium since Week 2.

With a win, the Texans will finish at least .500 in divisional play for the 2024 season.

Watch: Texans LB Neville Hewitt picks off Packers QB Jordan Love

In his first start in three years, Neville Hewitt has a turnover for the Houston Texans at Lambeau Field.

This story was updated to change or add a photo or video.

For a defense down five starters, the  Houston Texans couldn’t ask for a better start.

The Green Bay Packers had three positive plays on the opening drive before Texans defensive back Jalen Pitre tipped a pass into the air from Jordan Love.

The ball hung in the air, leading to an interception and return by linebacker Neville Hewitt to set up Houston inside the Texans’ red zone.

Hewitt, best known for his skills on special teams, is making his first start since 2021 in place of injured starting linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oTo’o.

https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/1848048484684857618

Houston is without five starters in total on defense, with Kamari Lassiter, Jimmie Ward and Mario Edwards Jr. also missing Sunday’s game.

Hewitt has been a key player for the Texans on kickoffs and punts. This season, he has 10 tackles.

Houston is 3-0 this season when it wins the turnover battle. Green Bay leads the league in takeaways at 17, which is four more than the next closet team in Chicago.

Houston only three takeaways in its first five games before forcing four last week against the New England Patriots.

Texans training camp: Rams HC Sean McVay raves on Houston’s secondary

Sean McVay came away impressed with the Houston Texans’ secondary while running drills during Thursday’s joint practice.

Sean McVay came away impressed with Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans.

He loved what he saw from C.J. Stroud in team drills, delivering timely, accurate passes for easy scores against his defense in the red zone.

But the longtime Los Angeles Rams coach couldn’t stop praising the Texans’ secondary after watching them work against Matthew Stafford. Even though the Rams found their way into the end zone on multiple drives, the first-team defense made life challenging at the Methodist Center in front of a packed training camp.

“I thought they did a really good job,” McVay said. “I’ve been super impressed with Stingley from when he was coming out (of college), and then you watch the production he had last year. And then I thought Pitre was all over the place. Jimmie Ward is a guy that I’ve always respected because of the athleticism, the position flex and what he enables them to do as a safety — a guy that can drop down and play coverage on receivers or tight ends.”

Houston’s secondary was hit or miss last season en route to a division title. When Stingley and Steven Nelson were on the field, turnovers were expected. The duo combined for 10 interceptions and 27 pass breakups while putting together one of the best months in December to close out the regular season.

Explosive plays, however, were a concern. The Texans allowed 65 plays of over 20-plus yards downfield in 2023, mainly due to inconsistencies at safety. Ward, who just signed a one-year extension, missed seven games and ended the season on the injured reserve.

Jalen Pitre struggled to defend man coverage on vertical routes, so the Texans are making him more of a chess piece this season. He’ll take reps in the nickel before floating back to safety. He’ll even blitz when asked to play in the flats.

McVay singled out the third-year defensive back, mentioning how challenging it was to scheme up plays while trying to find No. 5 on the field.

“Pitre’s a guy you can see he’s really good,” McVay said.” I felt them today, and they did a great job. And then obviously, having two special guys coming off the edge makes a major difference.”

Pitre has been on a tear the past two weeks in practice and in games. He looks more comfortable in the nickel and in coverage against tight ends.

In last week’s win over the New York Giants, Pitre set the tone with a 6-yard pick-six against Daniel Jones to help Houston coast out to a 7-0 lead. After totaling five interceptions as a rookie, he plans on nearing that total again this fall.

The Texans will close out the preseason on Saturday at noon against Los Angeles.

Jalen Pitre returns interception for TD, looking to breakout in Year 3 with Texans

Jalen Pitre’s big-time interception in the preseason might just be the start of a promising third season with the Houston Texans.

As a rookie, Jalen Pitre took the Houston Texans’ defense by storm, leading the team in both interceptions and tackles.

In his season season, there was a slump. Under DeMeco Ryans’ man-heavy scheme, Pitre took a step back. He didn’t record a turnover and his missed tackle rate went up.

Entering Year 3, Pitre wants to live up to his billing as a former Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Daniel Jones provided that opportunity Saturday afternoon at NRG Stadium.

The New York Giants quarterback made an ill-advised throw during the first quarter when Texans defensive end Derek Barnett provided pressure up the middle. Looking to avoid the safety, Jones heaved a pass toward tight end Theo Johnson, hoping it would land at his feet.

Instead, it landed in Pitre’s hand at the Giants’ 6-yard line. After that, it was a foot race to the end zone for a touchdown as the Texans secured a 28-10 victory.

“Big shout out to DB (Barnett),” Pitre told reporters postgame. “Pressure on the quarterback, he let it go, and thank God that I was right there, and like y’all seen, grabbed it scored. That was a blessing, for sure.”

While the interception won’t count toward his stat line since it’s the preseason, it’s a sign of Pitre’s progress heading into a pivotal year. After an underwhelming season deep in coverage, Houston elected to move Pitre closer to the line of scrimmage as the team’s starting slot defender.

It’s a similar position to the STAR role he played at Baylor en route to becoming a second-round pick in 2022. Slot defenders must handle both shifty receivers inside and big-bodied tight ends with the capability of overpowering smaller defenders for substantial gains.

Pitre, who played over 500 snaps in the slot during his final season with the Bears, didn’t miss against the 6-foot-6 Johnson. He was one of five players to come away with a turnover in Saturday’s contest.

“You get the ball three times, you win,” cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who picked off Jones in the second quarter, said postgame. “That’s what we did.”

Pitre’s role remains somewhat of a mystery entering the final week of training camp. He’s taken reps in the nickel position, but when Houston moves to a base three linebacker set, he’s back at safety opposite Jimmie Ward.

The Texans might plan on using Pitre as a chess piece in 2024. Depending on the formation, he’ll shift either to the backend or near the line of scrimmage. When down low, Eric Murray and third-round pick Calen Bullock will likely take over as the last line of defense.

There’s continuity in the secondary this fall. Ward is back at safety. Stingley is healthy and looking to build off his five-interception campaign entering Year 3. While a rookie, Kamari Lassiter has locked down the No. 2 corner spot after an impressive summer.

Pitre believes that a sign of progress in eliminating big plays, a drastic issue from Houston’s top 10 defense from a season ago.

“We’ve been growing in a lot of different ways, on and off the field,” he said. “I think it’s going to do nothing but help us as we move forward. It’s great camaraderie in that room right now.”

Watch: Texans DB Jalen Pitre records pick-six against Giants

Jalen Pitre is back looking like his 2022 Pro Bowl-caliber self for the Houston Texans.

For those wondering about Jalen Pitre’s progression playing the nickel, let the second drive of Saturday’s game serve as the answer.

The Houston Texans took an early 7-0 lead over the New York Giants in the first quarter as Pitre intercepted a pass intended for tight end Theo Johnson for a 6-yard touchdown. The pick marks the first defensive turnover of Houston’s preseason and the first defensive touchdown.

Expect more of that with a ferocious pass rush headlined by Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr.

After failing to convert on fourth down, New York was pinned at its own 6-yard line. Defensive end Derek Barnett worked upfield to pressure Daniel Jones, who tried to throw it away and evade the safety.

Instead, it turned into six points for the home team in their first outing at

NRG Stadium since the wild-card round victory against the Browns.
Pitre, a 2022 second-round pick out of Baylor, began his career at the STAR position under Dave Aranda. He won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 while helping the Bears with their first Big 12 title since 2014.

With Houston, he’s shifted back closer to the line of scrimmage. After totaling five interceptions during this rookie season, Pitre regressed under the new formation led by DeMeco Ryans.

Back at his natural spot, perhaps the next turnover will count toward his stats. The Texans will close out the preseason next Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams at noon.

Houston will receive the ball to begin the second half.

Texans training camp: How Jimmie Ward continues to help Houston’s young secondary

After a decade in the league, Jimmie Ward’s experiences may prove valuable in the growth of Houston’s young secondary.

Earlier this month, Jimmie Ward celebrated his 33rd birthday.

With age comes experience in the NFL and it’s certainly needed in Houston’s defensive backfield come this fall.

Following Denico Autry’s six-game PED suspension, Ward is the oldest projected Week 1 starter on the Texans’ defense and has multiple youngsters to watch in the secondary.

“Yeah, out of all the snaps and the days, years I have had in the game some days are going to start a little bit slow and then pick up later,” Ward said following Monday’s practice about his responsibility to keep the defense on track. “I try to rally the guys up, so does a lot of other guys on defense but when you watch film it’s never as good and it is never as bad.”

Ward arrived last offseason on a two-year, $13 million deal, following head coach DeMeco Ryans to Houston. The safety added a knowledge of the scheme and reliable backend play, totaling 50 tackles, three pass deflections and an interception in 10 games while helping Houston punch its ticket back to the postseason.

Expectations have drastically changed for Houston, who aggressively acquired talent to maximize quarterback C.J. Stroud’s Super Bowl window while on his rookie contract.

Last season. Ward, Dalton Schultz and Sheldon Rankins were considered among the “bigger” signings for the Texans. This offseason, Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon entered the fold via trade while four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter inked a two-year deal.

That’s not all. The Texans added a pair of defensive backs in Georgia corner Kamari Lassiter and USC safety Calen Bullock with two of their first three picks.

Ward’s been impressed, especially with Lassiter’s maturation as a young defensive back.

He is ‘Lockdown,’ he’s got the chain it was cool,” Ward said of Lassiter. “He has been making a lot of plays, its crazy,”

Lassiter, a former second-team All-SEC defensive back, has been working as the No. 2 corner opposite of Derek Stingley Jr. He’s impressed several players on both sides, including receiver Noah Brown, who called Lassiter the best rookie defensive back he’s seen.

 

The depth chart pegged Bullock, one of the top coverage safeties in the class, as the No. 2 safety behind Jalen Pitre, while Eric Murray has been taking first-team reps alongside Ward in camp.

Until Monday’s practice, Pitre’s reps had come at the nickel. The move back to safety came with a shift to a base 4-3 defense.

Ward understands the duality of playing in both the nickel and at safety. He began his career as a slot corner before settling as a free safety. When Ryans took over as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, he deployed Ward all over the field. After Tashaun Gipson showed progress early on in 2022, Ward shifted back to the slot for the first time in three years.

Something that helps Pitre thrive in both spots, according to Ward, is his lateral quickness to disect plays before they unfold.

“Jalen’s feet are crazy, he is quick. He is like an energized bunny,” Ward said of Pitre. “That is the reason they put him, and then you watch Jalen over there at Baylor. Back in college that is what he played, he made a lot of plays at it so it is just putting him at something that he is familiar with. He rotates at safety, too.”  “Obviously, there are only a handful of guys who can do both and be successful at it and I feel like Jalen is one of those guys.”

Gearing up for 11th NFL season, young players can learn plenty from Ward. They’ll have to on the fly should Houston hope to be back in the postseason picture.

Texans training camp: Jalen Pitre embracing new role in the nickel

Jalen Pitre wants to help the Houston Texans win and is willing to change positions if it leads to a Super Bowl in 2024.

Jalen Pitre wants to help the Houston Texans win more than a division title and he’s willing to do whatever to make that thought a reality.

That includes learning a new — yet still familiar — role in DeMeco Ryans’ defense.

Five practices into training camp and Pitre has primarily seen reps at the nickel defender role rather than his safety position. For now, it’s just an idea that DeMeco Ryans has given the third-year defensive back’s flexibility.
Given his success at Baylor when lined up in the hybrid STAR role, the move could be permanent and promising for all sides involved.

“Jalen is very versatile. You talk about a guy who is disruptive when he’s blitzing,” Ryans said Monday. “Disruptive in the pass game, in the running game, so Jalen is moving all around from different places and that’s something that I think will help us defensively.”

Pitre, a second-round pick in 2022, became a staple in the Big 12 when lined up closer to the line of scrimmage. During his senior, he logged nearly 500 reps in the slot and posted 75 tackles, including 17 for a loss, while helping Baylor win the Big 12 championship.

Pitre, who won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in the slot, said there are similarities between Ryans’ formation and Dave Aranda’s front Waco. Even though it’s still a work in progress, he’s comfortable moving closer to the line and attacking low.

“I love it,” Pitre said Tuesday. “It’s been fun to play some nickel here in training camp, in OTAs, and I’m all in on the process. Whatever coach DeMeco and his staff want me to do, I’m ready to try to go out there and execute and make plays for this team.”

The nickel position has to make every tackle while also being attentive in coverage. They must have the chops to run sideline-to-sideline with tight ends, slot receivers and even running backs depending on the formation called.

Pitre, who registered five interceptions and 147 tackles during his rookie season, is up for the challenge. He mentioned that every slot position has an overall base, but the differences come with “execution.”

“I’ve been studying how DeMeco wants our nickel to play, so it’s just understanding the position and the techniques that he wants us to work,” he said. “Just hone in on that every day. Just try to stack them and get better.”

Texans training camp: Jalen Pitre takes snaps at former position

Jalen Pitre, who won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year while lined up in the slot position, saw action back near the line of scrimmage.

When the huddle broke during 11-on-11 drills Saturday at Houston Texans training camp, one defensive player was lined up out of his usual position.

Third-year safety Jalen Pitre had shifted down closer to the line of scrimmage as Houston’s starting nickel defender for a pair of series. Jimmie Ward remained at free safety while veteran Eric Murray took reps on the strong side.

The nickel position is a familiar territory for the Houston native. While at Baylor, Pitre lined up as the team’s ‘STAR’ defender, which is essentially a hybrid role between safety and weakside linebacker.

He shined at the spot during his final two seasons in Waco, winning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 after helping the Bears secure a conference title. That season, Pitre finished with 75 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, seven pass breakups and two interceptions.

So, could the move be permanent heading into 2024?

“We are moving all those guys around,” Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said. “Again, I think we said this for when we got here the more versatile you can be, the better it helps us.”

Houston has questions in the slot entering fall camp. Second-round pick Kamari Lassiter was expected to compete with veteran Desmond King for first-team reps when drafted. So far, the Georgia standout has worked opposite Derek Stingely Jr. on the boundary.

The safety market still has options available that could help Houston secure another division title behind reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud. Names like Quandre Diggs and All-Pro Justin Simmons have yet to sign since the start of the free agency and could take a one-year prove-it deal before cashing in next offseason.

Pitre excelled in Lovie Smith’s zone-heavy coverage as a rookie, totaling five interceptions while finishing second on the team in tackle with 147 stops. But like many, a sophomore slump ensued last season, especially when asked to play in man coverage.

Pitre’s position flexibility opens up the defense even if Houston elects not to target another safety. Murray, who re-signed on a one-year deal this offseason, saw his role increase last season due to early injuries, totaling four starts before tearing his meniscus in Houston’s win over the Saints.

Ideally, Houston could want him to rotate in with Ward and Pitre, but he seems fine working with the starters. On Saturday, he intercepted Stroud on a pass intended for Tank Dell.

The Texans value versatility on defense, as evident by their recent signings. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair can play all three spots at the second level.

Veteran lineman Denico Autry is listed as a defensive end, but he’s also started at defensive tackle during his time with the Indianapolis Colts.

Pitre fits a similar mold, and Burke values having someone who can solve a problem in a pinch.

“He has had a great start to camp,” Burke said. “He is in a really good spot for us, for sure.”

TeX’s and O’s: Georgia Safety Javon Bullard could bring physicality to secondary

The Houston Texans could be in the market for a safety this draft cycle, and Georgia’s Javon Bullard fits the bill.

The Houston Texans are ready to contend.

Coming off an 11-8 campaign, general manager Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans have had a spectacular start to the off-season and have brought in players with Super Bowl optimism.

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, edge rusher Danielle Hunter, running back Joe Mixon, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and defensive tackle Denico Autry headline a group that’s propelled the Texans into five-five odds. The team appears ready to compete with one large caveat

Is the defensive secondary ready?

The current projected starting safety duo was hit-and-miss throughout the division-winning campaign. Veteran Jimmie Ward missed multiple games due to injury, ending the year on the reserve list. Jalen Pitre regressed from his breakout rookie campaign, especially in man coverage.

Houston may be ready to run ample man coverage looks with star corner Derek Stingley Jr. and newcomers Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson, but they’ll need a constant security net over the top if expecting better results.

Safety has been on the mind of Caserio. Three have visited NRG Stadium this past month, including Georgia’s Javon Bullard, perhaps the best fit for Ryans’ man-heavy scheme.

Bullard, a two-year starter for the Bulldogs, often was tasked with high-leverage roles under Kirby Smart’s man-based unit. He had 56 tackles, seven passes breakups and two interceptions last season in Athens. He also was named the Nation Championship game’s MVP during the team’s title run in 2022.

His pre-draft run has been equally impressive. Bullard was named the top safety of the Reeses’ Senior Bowl practices and impressed NFL teams throughout the week in Mobile, Ala.

Additionally, he had a strong performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he ran a 4.47 40-yard dash and tied together a strong 8.24 “Relative Athletic Score.”

It should come as no surprise that Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke are interested in potentially seeing the Bulldog product supplemented to the ‘SWARM’ persona. The film shows an instinctive player in coverage who isn’t afraid to crash violently and support the run.

The FIT

Bullard is comfortable playing on the back end, reading out plays, and positioning himself well when asked to defend the run and on passing concepts. He may start the following play farther off the line of scrimmage than any of his fellow defenders, but Bullard is quick to see it and react.

 

These instincts allowed Bullard to be a plus player in the run game and he was a reliable tackler if running backs managed to get past Georgia’s formidable front seven.

That same ability to trigger downhill also allows Bullard to make highlight plays on the football. He had four interceptions in his final two seasons with Georgia. That can largely be attributed to how he dissects plays.

Defensive backs coach Dino Vasso should love the attentiveness and pursuit angles Bullard presents downfield, but also the physicality when asked to guard receivers.

This play against Florida shows Bullard at his best. The safety reads the quarterback early, flies downhill to the developing slant route, and crushes the receiver to prevent a first down. The ability to recognize passing concepts and punish targets will be one of Bullard’s best assets at the NFL level.

The CONCERN

While a promising player, Bullard’s not a finished product. He tends to launch at plays he recognizes, which can also leave him in poor position should he misread the coverage.

Earlier in that same contest against Florida, a similar concept was drawn up. Instead of making a highlight tackle, Bullard took a bad angle in coverage, leading to a Gators’ touchdown.

In terms of character, Bullard isn’t a slouch. In The Athletics’ draft analyst Dane Brugler’s “The Beast,” he found glowing commentary on the safety including that, “High school and college coaches agree that he has a future in coaching, because of his mental toughness” and that he was “Regarded as one of the team leaders in the Georgia locker room.”

Bullard is a motivated player and a good athlete tasked with handling free safety responsibilities as the last line of defense for a proven championship-caliber program. His football IQ and attentiveness for sniffing out plays suggest he’s someone well-prepared to play at the next level.

THE ROLE

In Ryans’ defense, Bullard could plug in immediately next to Ward or Pitre and serve as a reliable coverage safety who brings a new element of physicality to any secondary.

Additionally, his presence could allow Pitre to play closer to the box on running downs and potentially create a better role for the third-year Baylor product. Pitre, a former second-round pick, won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year while lined up in the STAR position under a similar defensive formation.

Bullard is a very realistic draft target for Houston during the 2nd round, either at pick No. 42 or pick No. 59. It would be far-fetched to imagine Bullard falling out of the second round, let alone to Houston at pick No. 86 midway through Round 3.

Whether Caserio and Ryans believe he could require a trade up, or are content to wait for him where they currently sit, is yet to be seen.

What’s certain is that Bullard could bring a sense of dependability and physicality that Houston desperately needs for its Super Bowl chase.

TeX’s and Os: Could free agent C.J. Gardner-Johnson solve Texans safety woes?

The Houston Texans might have a safety problem, but free agent C.J. Gardner-Johnson could be the answer in the secondary.

The Houston Texans need help in the secondary.

DeMeco Ryan’s defense ranked in the bottom 10 in passing yards allowed and passing yards per attempt in 2023. It was a disappointing effort after many thought that Houston’s safeties, led by safety duo Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward, could be the strength of the defense going into the year.

It isn’t a mess entirely. Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. broke out in a big way with five interceptions and the team has multiple options to play across from him in 2024. That includes re-signing Steven Nelson or bringing in a veteran free agent like Xavien Howard.

It’s the safety dilemma that stands out.

Ward played in only 10 games and was not a reliable option to be on the field. Pitre went through a severe sophomore slump and didn’t force a turnover in 2023. Ryans even benched Pitre during the team’s brutal Week 16 loss to the Cleveland Browns. It could not have gone much worse after the Baylor product’s incredible rookie year which featured 147 tackles and five interceptions in 2022.

Now, the Texans have to find a way forward. That could require finding at least one additional safety to play, whether that is in case Ward is injured again or to facilitate moving Pitre down towards the nickel cornerback position. Houston could even find two new safeties, which would allow the Texans to capitalize on nearly $5 million in cap savings if they cut Ward after just one year.

There ar multiple ways they could about tackling this. One such option on the free agency market that stands out as both a great talent and a strong value play for general manager Nick Caserio is Detroit Lions impending free agent safety C.J. Gardner Johnson.

The University of Florida product started just five games in the regular season for the Lions in 2023 due to a torn pectoral muscle. He did start in the playoffs, though, where he intercepted Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. But overall, it was a disappointing season for Gardner-Johnson after he was considered a key free agent signing.

In 2022, Gardner-Johnson had 67 total tackles and six interceptions while helping power the Philadelphia Eagles defense to the Super Bowl under defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. He had been a value add via a trade with the New Orleans Saints earlier that year and bet on himself afterwards with the short one-year deal with Detroit.

Gardner-Johnson was highly rated by Pro Football Focus in 2023, with a defensive grade of 72.7 and a coverage grade of 72.8. His run support was also solid, with a grade of 68.5. These were minor upticks from his performance in Philadelphia and they could be attributed to smaller sample size, however it’s impossible to ignore the talent of the 26 year old.

Now, he’s a free agent again and the tape shows a player that could fit well with the Texans.

Gardner-Johnson is largely considered a “strong safety” as someone who is capable of both patrolling the back end or playing close to the line of scrimmage. Considering that potential overlap of that skillset with Jalen Pitre, it’s important to start with Johnson’s ability in coverage. He graded out very well in this aspect and it shows up on tape.

In the Lions’ Cover 4 heavy defense, similar to the Houston Texans this past year, Johnson frequently played deep to allow rookie Brian Branch to be closer to the line of scrimmage. He performed well in this aspect and those skills additionally show up when reviewing his 2022 time with the Philadelphia Eagles. He’s a ballhawking safety who can read the quarterback and explode to make plays.

Ryans preaches the importance of stopping the run and Gardner-Johnson is no stiff there. He has an ability to both come down to the box and support with blitzes as well as read out run plays from the high safety position and collapse. His vision and athleticism is apparent and he’s a rangy athlete who could be played all over the field.

In Houston, he would allow for very interchangeable coverage sets between himself and Ward. Both could be trusted with complex coverage assignments and the defensive staff would have the ability to rotate either safety with both being plus players and run support.

This idea of interchangeability could also be used with Pitre and changing where both those players are pre-snap, even switching between safety and nickel assignments to confuse opposing quarterbacks.

It’s unclear whether or not the Texans will actually be interested in Gardner-Johnson, but the fit makes sense. At 26 years old, he would be a young player for the Texans defense that could contribute in both phases of the game. He’s a reliable player in coverage that would free up the athletic Pitre to do what he does best closer to the line of scrimmage and have a strong third season. It would also create an additional chess piece for defensive coordinator Matt Burke to implement more disguised coverage schemes against the AFC’s best quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.

In a league where coverage is suddenly at a premium., this could be a very affordable fix.