The Houston Texans have signed the first member of their 2020 NFL Draft class.
According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans signed former Florida Gators outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard on Wednesday. The Texans selected Greenard with the 90th overall pick in Round 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Coach Bill O’Brien envisions Greenard playing the SAM, or strong side linebacker, in first-year defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s defense.
“I think if you’re talking base defense, I think he’d probably be at the outside backer, I think he’d be at a SAM,” O’Brien told reporters on April 24, after day two of the draft. “I think he’d be able to play at a SAM. I also think he could go to the open side and play a five-technique. He’s got size, he’s got strength. Then when you get to sub defense, it’s just anywhere.”
In his 11 games with Florida in 2019, Greenard collected 53 tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks, four pass breakups, an interception, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown. Greenard took advantage of being a part of defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s system.
For Greenard, being drafted by the Texans is a “blessing.”
Said Greenard on April 24: “Just to be even considered in this category with these guys, to be on the same team is a huge blessing and an honor. I’m going to come working hard, have my same mentality I had in college and high school, just to be an underdog mindset and learn from the greats, soak up all the knowledge that they have and the wisdom, so that way I can be successful just like them.”
Houston finished with 31 sacks on the season, tied with the Cincinnati Bengals for sixth-fewest in the NFL. If the Texans can get SEC production out of Greenard, it should help elevate their pass rush.
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