The Houston Texans are putting a lot of chips into rookies improving their roster immediately. Through the first three weeks, those watching have witnessed almost all of their draft class see snaps.
In Week 4, against the Carolina Panthers at home, that won’t change. The Texans will continue to play rookies at key positions that were weak spots in the past. Many of those are within the four that must step up during Sunday’s game.
`. rt Tytus Howard
After starting at left guard in Week 2, Tytus Howard found a home at right tackle in Week 3. Now, he has to make it his forever home.
Howard won’t have to face an elite edge rush — such as Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram in Week 3 — against Carolina, but he’ll have to show his chops against the blitz. The Panthers, under coach “River Boat” Ron Rivera, won’t be afraid to dial-up extra pressure, especially on a rookie.
Howard must show his chops against creative pressure. He also needs to show development as a run-blocker. Last week, Houston struggled to run on his right side.
As talked about for the past three years, the Texans offensive line is their biggest issue. Howard is a catalyst for performing a 180 of that thought process. If he strings together two solid games as a right tackle, Houston may have their long-term options at both tackle positions.
2. fb Cullen Gillaspia
Cullen Gillaspia, a fullback, is a rare sight in the Texans backfield. Through three weeks, he has seven offensive snaps. So why is he on here? In those offensive snaps, he hasn’t done his job (blocking) particularly well.
Houston has shown a willingness to run two-back personnel with Gillaspia complimenting one of Carlos Hyde or Duke Johnson. However, they may stop doing so completely if he continues to miss key blocks in pass protection. He’s shown promise as a pull-blocker.
Gillaspia’s name won’t warrant earn many mentions (as is the nature of fullbacking). He’ll see most of his time on special teams on Sunday. However, eyes will be on him to see if he can sufficiently block for Deshaun Watson when called upon.
3. cb Lonnie Johnson
The Texans threw Lonnie Johnson into the fire after Aaron Colvin’s disappointing Week 1 performance and subsequent cut. Though he’s had his moments, the rookie corner has responded well to his immediate playing time.
Quarterbacks have targeted Johnson 11 times; the results doing so is five completions for 69 yards and no touchdowns, good for a 66.1 passer rating when targeted. The majority of his reps have come against a team’s No. 2 receiver.
On Sunday, that won’t change. He’ll likely see most of his snaps against Curtis Samuel. A YAC menace with speed and a progressing game, Samuel could give Johnson fits. The rookie corner will need to keep up his positive play against Samuel, who presents a challenge he has yet to face.
4. lg Max Scharping
Max Scharping was fantastic against the Chargers. Despite not playing left guard for the Texans in the past, he was comfortable there alongside Laremy Tunsil. An intelligent guard with a nasty streak, Scharping excelled against blitzes and stunts in Week 3.
The Panthers are a whole new monster for Scharping to deal with. Their depth in the interior — Gerald McCoy, Kawaan Short (questionable) and Dontari Poe — can give any guard troubles. It wouldn’t be surprising if Scharping is one of the many guards that will struggle to deal with them.
Or, he can show what the film taught us; he’s well-suited to play left guard and should stay there for a while. Like Howard, the rookie can prove that he belongs at his new position in Week 4. He can also show he can’t.
Scharping is going into his second NFL start. No matter the outcome, it’s key not to overreact. However, he can prove if his hot start was a fluke or an act of a Chargers pass-rush that was wrongfully praised.
