It’s been a mixed bag of results so far from Pro Football Focus as far as the Texans are concerned. The football analytics specialists have been grading the top five of each position group in every division, and the Texans have been inconsistent at best, experiencing the highs of first and second place for cornerbacks in the AFC South, while also having the fifth graded center in a four-team division in Nick Martin.
On a more positive note, however, the latest groups to be analyzed are edge defenders and the Texans will be happy to see two of their stars in second and third places.
Defensive end J.J. Watt returned to his dominant self, being named First-Team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl after recording 16.0 sacks and 25 quarterback hits on the year. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year was given a grade of 90.6 on the year which trails only Calais Campbell of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Just behind Watt with a grade of 89.5 is edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney. The fellow Pro Bowler recorded 9.0 sacks and 21 quarterback hits in what was yet another eye-catching season. The former first-overall pick is set to become a free agent and chances are next season he will be on a deal that could easily match that of the likes of Khalil Mack, Aaron Donald, and J.J. Watt. Whether that will be with the Texans though remains to be seen.
