Pro Football Focus has been at it again, compiling their Top 101 Player ranking of 2018, and Houston Texans fans will be happy to hear that six of their main men have made the cut.
No. 94 — MLB Benardrick McKinney
The 2018 Pro Bowler has been the definition of solid for the Texans since becoming a starter his second season back in 2016. In the last three seasons, he hasn’t missed a game and has recorded over 95 combined tackles each year. While this past season was not a career year for McKinney in terms of stats, with just 1.5 sacks to his career high of 5.0 in 2016, 105 combined tackles to 129 in 2016, five tackles for loss to 10 in 2017.
However, the stability and leadership he provides in the center of that Texans defense has been excellent all year and was one of very few players who was consistent from start to finish. On McKinney, PFF had the Following to say:
The fourth-year linebacker made an impact in all areas of the Texans’ defense this season. McKinney’s 81.3 overall grade ranked ninth at the position, while his 89.2 run defense grade listed at third-best, behind only All-Pro’s Luke Kuechly and Bobby Wagner. He recorded 32 total run stops this season with only four missed tackles.
No. 85 — S/CB Kareem Jackson
One of the biggest Pro Bowl snubs of the year, Kareem Jackson had a career year at the spritely age of 30. The impending free agent entered this season as starting safety alongside the recently acquired Tyrann Mathieu. While this may have been seen as a move to reboot the career of an aging and slowing veteran, it proved a huge success. Jackson shone while at safety, before eventually having to move back to cornerback due to injuries. It may be a shame that more wasn’t seen of Jackson in safety, but he was still easily one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL this season with 17 defended passes, two interceptions, 87 combined tackles, and one sack.
PFF had the following to say about Jackson:
Alternating between safety and corner, Jackson had a career revival this past season. Jackson recorded an overall grade of 79.5 behind 10 pass breakups and no receiving touchdowns allowed, and he will be one of the more sought-after veterans if he hits the free agent market.
No. 77 — QB Deshaun Watson
The College National Championship winner with Clemson resumed where he left off before his season-ending injury in 2017, showing that he is easily one of the most talented young quarterbacks in the NFL. The 23-year-old was named to his first Pro Bowl this season after he became the first player in NFL history to record over 4,000 passing yards (4,165) and 500 rushing yards (551) in the same season. And while there is plenty of room to grow regarding his decision making at times and reading defenses, as he enters 2019 with new offensive coordinator and quarterback coaches, there should be plenty of optimism that he is on the right tracks to become one of the best in his position.
PFF had the following to say about Watson:
Deshaun Watson came into this season surrounded by uncertainty due to his season-ending ACL injury last year, but he played a full 16 games this season and finished with the 12th-best grade (82.6) out of 39 qualifying quarterbacks. Watson made the best of one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines en route to a playoff berth, and that can’t be overstated. He led the NFL in total pressured dropbacks (281) and passer rating under pressure (88.2).
No. 46 — Edge Jadeveon Clowney
25-year-old Clowney is about to get a pay raise to rival any and every other defensive player in the NFL’s deal should the Texans be able to negotiate a new deal. A three-time Pro Bowler, Clowney put together another dominant year. Few players in the league have his ability to wreck defenses with his speed, especially from the inside. 2018 may not have been a stat leading year for Clowney, but 9.0 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits, and a forced fumble is hardly a poor year by any means. It is yet to be seen whether or not he will return to Houston next season, but regardless he has easily lived up to his first overall pick status by now.
On Clowney, PFF had the following to say:
Jadeveon Clowney had by far the best season of his career in 2018. The former first overall pick tied for the seventh-best overall grade (89.5) among edge defenders. He recorded 28 run stops on 283 run-defense snaps, tying for the tenth-best run-stop percentage (9.9%) at the position.
No. 19 — DE J.J. Watt
Few athletes could come back from the list of injuries Watt has had over the past couple of years and have both the mental strength and physical capability to return to professional sports. Even fewer could do so at the NFL level. But somehow Watt achieved what many in the media and fanbases considered near impossible, he managed to return to his former self. He may not have been the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year/potential NFL MVP form he has previously shown, but let’s be honest he wasn’t overly far off. In 2018 he played in all 16 games for the first time since 2015, was named First-Team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl, both also for the first time since 2015, recording 16.0 sacks and 25 quarterback hits along the way.
PFF wrote about Watt:
Watt was back to his utterly dominant self this year. He was once again named a PFF All-Pro, and his 78 pressures were the second-most among edge defenders. Watt ended the 2018 regular season with at least three quarterback pressures in 14 straight games, which is the longest active streak by four games.
No. 2 — WR DeAndre Hopkins
What can be said about “Nuk” that hasn’t already been covered? Hopkins is simply near undefendable. He easily has the best hands in the league and is as durable as anybody in the game. Even in games where it all seems over and his teammates are struggling, Hopkins remains composed and consistent. With 1,572 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns to his name this year, the 26-year old seems to be getting better every year, and with a talented young quarterback to work with, these two could be the most dangerous duo in the NFL for the coming years.
PFF had the following to say about Hopkins:
It clearly didn’t matter where he lined up, where he was targeted or whether he had to fight for the ball or not, Hopkins was in a class of his own this season, and it all led to the NFL’s highest overall (92.0) and receiving grade (92.2) at the position. His 115 catchable targets without a drop not only set the PFF record, but it also crushed the previous record of 60 held by Randall Cobb that he set back in 2016.
Notable Snub No. 1 — S Tyrann Mathieu
Since bursting onto the scene in Arizona, and being named All-Pro in 2015, Mathieu has seemingly struggled to live up to that level ever since. However, opting to sign with Houston for 2018 did him the world of good. Whether it was the change of scenery or perhaps the coaching staff, Mathieu was back to being one of the best safeties in the league. A notable Pro Bowl snub, Mathieu recorded a joint career-high 89 combined tackles and a career-high 3.0 sacks. Soon to be a free agent, Texans will surely be hoping he returns to Houston and is given the chance to continue this return to form.
Notable snub No. 2 — S Justin Reid
Another snub is fellow safety, Justin Reid. The rookie had an outstanding year and was easily one of the steals of the draft. The 21-year old was thrust into the starting lineup as injuries began to mount, and since then he hasn’t looked back. In 16 total appearances (12 starts), he managed to record 88 combined tackles, three interceptions for a total of 128 yards and one touchdown, two tackles for loss, and one quarterback hit. If he was able to play at this level as a rookie, the Texans may well have found a long-time starter in their secondary, and an absolute gem at that.
Notable Snub No. 3 — K Ka’imi Fairbairn
This one may be a long shot as kickers aren’t usually named in such lists, but the simple fact of the matter is that Fairbairn saved the Texans on multiple occasions this season. The former UCLA kicker led the NFL in scoring this season (150), and field goals made (37).
