Defensive end J.J. Watt is out for the rest of the season with a torn pectoral. It hurts, but the Houston Texans can’t be one to sulk. As a team with aspirations that go further than the NFL Playoffs, Houston has to get over it and move on. Doing so would be easier if these three defenders can step-up.
Whitney Mercilus – OLB
With Watt out, the shift goes to Whitney Mercilus, who is undoubtedly now the Texans’ premier pass-rusher. That means more double teams, a whole lot more attention and offenses that know all too well who No. 59 is. He must step up into that role. Whether he likes it or not, it’s his now.
“Whitney is going to play,” said defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel on Wednesday. “He’s going to play to the best of his ability. It’ll be interesting to see what teams think and how they try to protect, because if you leave him one on one, he makes some plays. Now, whether they slide the line or chip or whatever they decide to do, then somebody else from the other side has to step up.”
Mercilus did impress early into the season. At the quarter mark, he had four sacks, four forced fumbles, an interception and six QB hits. Since then, he hasn’t shown up, tallying a half-sack and a pair of QB hits. The Texans need to see quarter-mark Mercilus, not everything since, both as a pass-rusher and run defender.
Charles Omenihu – DE
Charles Omenihu, a rookie with a Longhorn pedigree, has not yet started an NFL game; most of his snaps have come as a situational pass-rusher; he has missed two games, one for being a healthy scratch. Despite all of that, he may be in-line for a starting job at defensive end with Watt out.
Luckily, in his 153 career defensive snaps, Omenihu has played well. He already has two strip-sacks logged to his name, and, according to Pro Football Focus, has been the fifth-best defensive rookie of the season (grading in at 74.1). The one complaint? He must be more consistent, according to coach Bill O’Brien.
“I think he works hard, I think for any rookie it’s about consistency from play to play, being as consistent as you possibly can,” said O’Brien on Monday.
“I think he works hard to improve, he’s a good kid, he really listens, he’s coachable, versatile guy. He’s made some plays for us. It’s just overall consistency, doing it down after down is very important.”
Starting or not, Omenihu will see an uptick in snaps with Watt out. He has the potential to be an outstanding defensive now, now he has to do it consistently.
Gareon Conley – CB
Yes, cornerbacks don’t rush the passer (most of the time). But, they are a pass rush’s best friend. If the cornerbacks can keep a wide receiver from getting open, quarterbacks will hold onto the ball more, in turn, the pass-rush will have more time to get to them.
Insert newly acquired Gareon Conley, who is now the team’s No. 1 cornerback with Bradley Roby nursing a hamstring injury and Johnathan Joseph losing a stem — and struggling to stay healthy. Conley will be depended upon to play tight man-to-man coverage to buy everyone else time.
Houston knows what they are doing. Conley struggled as an Oakland Raider, but now he will be in a favorable scheme that should, theoretically, take advantage of his press-man abilities. However, as of now, it’s all theoretical. Conley will need to show that he can consistently be that cover corner Houston now desperately needs. If so, the pass-rush will thank him.
