Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
The Houston Texans have a dependable special teamer in cornerback Keion Crossen. Can he take another leap as a valuable member of the secondary?
Since the Houston Texans traded for Keion Crossen in 2019, his availability on Sundays has been more reliable than his pass coverage. In 2020, Crossen allowed 16 receptions on 28 targets while allowing 14.1 yards per catch.
As he enters his third season in Houston, Crossen’s 2021 season could be in jeopardy given the number of cornerbacks the Texans will have come the first day of training camp.
Houston Texans cornerback Bradley Roby will serve a suspension in Week 1, but he should have a productive 2021 campaign regardless.
Last season, Bradley Roby was arguably the best defensive back on the field for the Houston Texans. In 2020, Roby recorded one of the Texans’ three interceptions on the year, while allowing 29 catches on 45 targets.
In an offseason that saw significant turnover at nearly every position, Roby will be one of few familiar faces returning to the Texans in 2021 — which will result in the Ohio State prodigy improving Houston’s secondary core next season.
As he enters his third campaign with the franchise, here is a quick look at Roby ahead of the 2021 season.
The Houston Texans added Desmond King to their cornerback group to strengthen the unit. What can the former Tennessee Titan bring?
The Houston Texans’ secondary and special teams unit struggled for the majority of last season, but Nick Caserio made several offseason acquisitions for help in 2021. One of Caserio’s most prominent signings during free agency came by the arrival of one-time Pro-Bowler Desmond King.
As he prepares to play for his third team in less than 12 months, here is a look into the impact King can have on the Texans in 2021.
Vernon Hargreaves has found a new home with the Houston Texans. Can the former first-round pick have an even more productive season in 2021?
Vernon Hargreaves III came into the NFL ranked as the second-best cornerback coming out of college. The only player listed ahead of Hargreaves was Jalen Ramsey, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted the Florida prodigy with their top selection in 2016.
Five years later, Hargreaves has yet to live up to his draft-day expectations. As he enters his third season as a member of the Houston Texans, will 2021 be the year Hargreaves regain his stats as an exceptional defensive back?
The Houston Texans have a reliable linebacker who can provide quality snaps on defense and special teams in Kamu Grugier-Hill.
Kamu Grugier-Hill might be the most enthusiastic free-agent acquisition the Houston Texans signed this offseason. After playing football in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Florida, the Texans gave Grugier-Hill a chance to play in Texas — which reminds him of his home in Hawaii.
How can Grugier-Hill make fans just as excited about his arrival in Houston? Here is a preview of Grugier-Hill ahead of his first season with the Texans for the 2021 campaign.
The Houston Texans revamped defense will feature more playmaking from linebacker Zach Cunningham.
When the Houston Texans walked away from the 2017 NFL Draft, it appeared that Deshaun Watson was going to be the last man standing when compared to the rest of his draftmates. Fast forward five years later, Zach Cunningham — who was drafted in the second round — is the lone Texan left with Watson’s career in Houston presumably over.
Cunningham has not only established himself as the only player remaining from the ’17 draft, but he has likely overtaken Watson as the Texans’ face of the franchise ahead of the 2021 season.
Despite being on the cusp of reaching the elite status among linebackers in the NFL, there is one aspect of Cunningham’s game he must improve on as he transitions into a 4-3 defense under Lovie Smith.
The Houston Texans revamped defense will feature more playmaking from linebacker Zach Cunningham.
When the Houston Texans walked away from the 2017 NFL Draft, it appeared that Deshaun Watson was going to be the last man standing when compared to the rest of his draftmates. Fast forward five years later, Zach Cunningham — who was drafted in the second round — is the lone Texan left with Watson’s career in Houston presumably over.
Cunningham has not only established himself as the only player remaining from the ’17 draft, but he has likely overtaken Watson as the Texans’ face of the franchise ahead of the 2021 season.
Despite being on the cusp of reaching the elite status among linebackers in the NFL, there is one aspect of Cunningham’s game he must improve on as he transitions into a 4-3 defense under Lovie Smith.
Jacob Martin was a byproduct of the Jadeveon Clowney trade in 2019. What can the edge rusher bring to the 2021 Houston Texans?
Going into the 2020 season, Jacob Martin said it was his goal to record double-digit sacks on the year. Although he did not come close to accomplishing his objective, Martin’s finished last season tied for the third-most sacks on the team.
Talent has never been an issue for Martin. But finding snaps among several veteran players at linebacker was the primary reason why the 25-year-old prodigy rarely saw the field in his first two seasons in Houston.
Will a new defensive coordinator and a position change result in Martin finally finding his niche with the Texans?
Jordan Jenkins had a down season in 2020. Can the former 2016 third-round pick have a bounce-back season with the Houston Texans?
Jordan Jenkins was no different than most people in 2020: he had a down year. During his final campaign as a member of the New York Jets, Jenkins’ on-field production took a significant declined from the previous two years, and a severe shoulder injury resulted in an early end to his season.
After failing to convince the Jets that he was worth keeping around beyond 2020, Jenkins signed with the Texans in March as the prototypical free agent Nick Caserio targeted on the open market.
With a lot to prove regarding his health and on-field play, here’s a look at how Jenkins can have a positive impact on the Texans’ defense while showcasing to Caserio that he is worth keeping around for the long haul.
The Houston Texans still have Whitney Mercilus coming off the edge. What can their 2012 first-round pick offer in a new defensive system?
With J.J. Watt no longer a member of the Houston Texans, Whitney Mercilus is now the longest-tenured player with the organization. But with the Texans on the verge of a rebuild, the 2021 season could be Mercilus’ final year in Houston.
Nevertheless the Texans aim to get the most out of Mercilus on the edge.
“Whitney has proven in his time in the NFL that he can win on the outside,” defensive coordinator Lovie Smith told reporters on June 8. “He’s in good shape right now. He’s going to play lighter than he played last year. That body type has had success in our system. We talked about a lot of the young players, but to have an older player that’s done it the right way and has been a great Texan, so I’m excited about him, too. He’s going to have a good year for us.”
After what could have been the worst season of his nine-year NFL career, Mercilus will likely have a bounce-back year with the Texans to advertise his talents to other teams around the league in 2021.
