The Houston Texans believed 2020 would be a year that favored veterans when it came to roster construction. Therefore, why invest heavily in rookies who may not be up to speed? Throw in the lack of preseason games, and any newcomers to the league are going to have a hard time making an impression with the coaches.
If there is one rookie who is making progress transitioning to pro football, it is fourth-round cornerback John Reid.
“He’s had a really good camp,” coach and general manager Bill O’Brien said in a pool report after practice. “He might’ve had the best camp of any rookie. Some of these guys come in here as rookies and they just know how to work.”
Reid, who famously turned down a recruiting barbecue at Penn State in order to study more film, has the genus of maturity that lines up with what the Texans are looking for in “dependable, tough, smart” players.
“He’s got a routine already,” O’Brien said. “He’s in here early. He’s taking care of his body. He’s studying tape. He’s in the meetings. He spends extra time with his coaches. He’s taking advantage of his reps. He’s just a really focused.”
The engineering major has the ability to play inside and outside for the Texans in new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s scheme. Houston is already top heavy at cornerback with Bradley Roby, Gareon Conley, and Lonnie Johnson. Other veterans have improved throughout their first full training camp with the Texans, including Vernon Hargreaves and Keion Crossen. However, the 24-year-old is in the mix of vying for playing time.
