Pro Bowl voting is live. In the thick of a tight AFC playoff race, the Houston Texans have their fair share of players worthy of heading to Orlando, Fla. on Jan. 26, 2020.
Four, in specific, stand-out as obvious Pro-Bowl selections. To get them there, Texans fans will be relied upon. They can do so by heading to NFL.com/ProBowlVote to cast their ballots. Voting ends on Dec. 12, it is free and encouraged that multiple ballots are sent in.
During the final two weeks of voting — Nov. 28 to Dec. 12 — fans will be able to vote for their favorite Texans on Twitter. They will be able to do so by tweeting the player’s first and last name, the player’s official handle or a hashtag including their first and last name. All three methods must include the #ProBowlVote hashtag.
When making voting, here are four Texans to keep in mind for Pro Bowl voting:
QB Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson is a full-fledged MVP candidate. His name on the Pro Bowl roster won’t be surprising come January. In fact, come game time in Orlando, Fla., the only thing that would be surprising is not seeing Watson suited up — unless he is in Miami.
Watson is drilling passes at a 70.2% clip, has a career-high 107.1 passer rating, has upped his passing touchdown rate from 5.1% to 6.0% (18) and lowered his interception rate from 1.8% to 1.7%. He has done so while throwing for 2,432 yards, rushing for 279 and tallying five touchdowns on the ground.
If stats don’t do the trick, take a gander at NFL Twitter on Sundays. Seemingly every week, Watson is producing highlight reels with his magical abilities. Combine that with a winning record (6-3), statistical improvement and a broad fan base and Watson is seemingly a lock to make the Pro-Bowl in back-to-back years.
WR DeAndre Hopkins
DeAndre Hopkins has made the Pro Bowl — and first-team All-Pro — in back-to-back years. Though he doesn’t boast the statistical dominance in 2019 as he did in 2018, he should be well on his way for his fourth career Pro Bowl appearance.
On the season, Hopkins has 68 catches (second in the NFL) for 665 yards and four touchdowns. Over a full season, that converts to 121 receptions for 1,182 yards and seven touchdowns. While the yardage and touchdown totals may be less than in prior years, the 121 catches would be a career-high.
Hopkins’ statistics may be overshadowed by others, but he remains his dominant self in 2019. Unlike 2018, he doesn’t need to carry the brunt of the offense. Instead, he is now the No. 1 option while others flourish on his double-teams. That can’t take away from his impact on the field and, in turn, his inevitable Pro Bowl bid.
LT Laremy Tunsil
On Aug. 31, Bill O’Brien mortgaged the Texans’ future for the present in trading for former Dolphins left tackle Laremy Tunsil. It turns out, the trade was a hit: Tunsil, quickly, has entered the conversation for best left tackle in the NFL.
As of Week 10, Tunsil grades as Pro Football Focus’ second-best pass-protecting tackle in the NFL, recording an 89.9 pass-block grade. If it weren’t for his two sacks allowed performance in Week 1, he would be on top, while also not allowing a sack since.
Just 25 years old, Tunsil has brought respectability to the Texans’ offensive line. In pass protection, he gives Deshaun Watson confidence in his blind-side; as a run-blocker, he moves well in open-space and has a knack of playing bully-ball with rookie Max Scharping.
Houston has placed Pro Bowl and All-Pro expectations on Tunsil. He has lived up to it, now it’s time to send him to Orlando.
DT D.J. Reader
D.J. Reader may not be Houston’s biggest, most marketable name. He may not play the most snaps. He may not be a familiar character on Twitter highlight reels, nor will his stats win over fans looking for unearthly Aaron Donald-type numbers.
However, if there is any Texans defender worthy of a Pro-Bowl selection, it’s Reader. In a post-J.J. Watt world, he may be their best defender. The fourth-year Clemson product is a force. According to Pro Football Focus, he is the team’s best player, with an elite 90.2 grade and unearthly 90.3 run-stuff rating.
On the year, Reader has 27 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, five tackles for loss and four QB hits. While his numbers may not scream Pro Bowler, his effect on the Texans’ defense and film does. Reader is a consistent, bludgeoning force in the interior and worthy of recognition.
Honorable mentions
S Justin Reid, RB Carlos Hyde, OLB Whitney Mercilus, ILB Benardrick McKinney, ILB Zach Cunningham, RT Tytus Howard.
