Another morning star of a new NFL season is the premier of NFL Network’s Top 100 series. The 2019 edition kicks off July 22 at 8:00 p.m. Central with the debut of No. 100-91.
The remaining decade of players will be introduced each night until the unveiling of No. 10-1 on July 31 at 8:00 p.m. Central with a reaction show immediately to follow at 10:00 p.m. Central.
According to NFL Media, the rankings are derived from 1,098 ballots were collected by NFL Films as well as interviewing 136 players.
In 2018, defensive end J.J. Watt (84), quarterback Deshaun Watson (50), edge defender Jadeveon Clowney (32), and receiver DeAndre Hopkins (13) appeared on the list. Here are seven Texans who could crack the top-100 in 2019.
1. Rb lamar miller
The former Miami Dolphin had a meritorious season as he earned his first Pro Bowl. Miller produced 973 yards and five touchdowns on 210 carries in 14 games for the Texans. In the passing game, the 5-10, 221-pound back caught 25 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown. The best play of Miller’s season was a 97-yard touchdown against the Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football in Week 12, the first game since the passing of founder Bob McNair.
2. s justin reid
General manager Brian Gaine may have had a short tenure with the Texans, but indubitably his best draft pick was his first in Reid, a 2018 third-round pick and the first for Houston in that draft. Reid started in 12 of his 16 games played and picked off three passes, including one for a 101-yard touchdown return. The former Stanford Cardinal also had 10 pass breakups, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and 88 combined tackles. It is enough to make you forget he’s Pro Bowler Eric Reid’s little brother.
3. cb kareem jackson
The former 2010 first-round pick from Alabama was the consummate teammate for Houston. First, he switched to safety after Andre Hal was diagnosed with cancer in the offseason. Then, when cornerback Kevin Johnson was lost for the year with concussions and the Texans couldn’t find any answers opposite of Johnathan Joseph, he switched back to corner. Jackson produced two interceptions, a fumble recovery, recorded 1.0 sack, notched 87 combined tackles, and led the team with 17 pass breakups.
4. de/olb jadeveon clowney
Clowney earned his third consecutive Pro Bowl selection with 9.0 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, a pass breakup, a forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries, one of which he fell on in the end zone for a touchdown in the Texans’ 37-34 overtime win at the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4, a victory that led to nine straight. The former 2014 No. 1 overall pick was in a contract year, and he produced at a high level. Unfortunately from the former South Carolina Gamecock’s point of view, it was not enough to lead to a big contract and long-term security.
5. qb deshaun watson
The Texans are 14-9 when Watson is on the field compared to 1-8 when he is not. Coming off of a torn ACL sustained in his rookie season, there were questions as to his durability and talent. However, the former 2017 first-round pick from Clemson answered them as he posted a 103.1 passer rating, the franchise single-season record, along with throwing 26 touchdowns against nine interceptions. Watson was the catalyst for Houston and gave them hope for the future, even though the 2018 campaign ended in a 21-7 wild-card playoff loss at home to the Indianapolis Colts.
6. de j.j. watt
The 29-year-old was entering his eighth season in the NFL, even though his past two seasons ended prematurely with a combined eight games played: a herniated disc in 2016 three games in and a left tibial plateau fracture in 2017 five games in. There were doubts, but Watt overcame them with a 16.0-sack season and a first-team All-Pro nod. While the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year would not answer questions as to whether or not he was “back,” it is safe to presume he is on the right track to returning to legendary form.
7. wr deandre hopkins
Arguably the best receiver in the NFL, Hopkins tied Andre Johnson for the Texans’ single-season reception record with 115 as part of a second consecutive first-team All-Pro season. The former 2013 first-round pick from Clemson had no quarterback for the remaining nine games in 2017 yet made All-Pro, and in 2018, after receiver Will Fuller was lost with an ACL injury in Week 8 and receiver Keke Coutee was limited to six games with chronic hamstring injuries, Hopkins was virtually the only option. Nonetheless, he produced 1,572 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns and willed himself through a shoulder injury in the wild-card playoff loss. With no quarterback, Hopkins was 13th on the top-100 list last year. Now, after a season with a credible gunslinger in Deshaun Watson throwing him the ball, he ought to be a lock for the top-10.
