The Houston Texans have a few players on the verge of breaking out in 2019 — QB Deshaun Watson (again), WR Will Fuller, WR Keke Coutee, NT D.J. Reader, among others.
However, one stands out as Pro Football Focus‘ most likely to earn that honor: safety Justin Reid. Their reasoning? His outstanding rookie season.
In 2018, Reid took over the free safety spot after Kareem Jackson moved back to cornerback and Andre Hal delayed his eventual final season due to being diagnosed and beating Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The third-round pick didn’t disappoint.
According to PFF, Reid missed five tackles on 76 total attempts, that number ranks tops for all safeties playing at least 400 snaps. In coverage, he was targeted 38 times, to which he came down with three interceptions while breaking down six passes. He later went on to the PFF All-Rookie Team.
Entering 2019, Reid is a sure-thing at starting free safety and as a cornerstone of the secondary. If the pass defense does well, he’ll probably play a part in that.
