Power Rankings: Top Post-Draft Defenses (5-10)

Dec 1, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) yells as he is introduced prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Texans 2-14
Last Season’s Rankings: #7 Overall Defense (317.6 total yards per game allowed) #3 Passing Defense (195.2 passing yards per game allowed) #23 Rushing Defense (122.4 rushing yards per game allowed)

Last Season
We all knew that the Texans were going to chose Jadeveon Clowney as the number one overall selection, however their defensive selections beyond that were a mystery to all of us. Going into the draft, we knew that the Texans most definitely needed help with their running game, seeing as that it was in fact ranked 23rd in the league last season with 122.4 rushing yards allowed per game with 10 touchdowns. Their secondary didn’t need any help (3rd in the NFL with 195.2 passing yards per game allowed), however they were still able to add another safety to the mix along with some good pass rushers not named Jadeveon Clowney. Despite going 2-14 last season, the Texans were still able to have the seventh best defense in the league last season, allowing 317.6 total yards per game. Their rushing defense was one of their weaker areas as they ranked 23rd in the league with 122.4 rushing yards allowed per game in 2013. Part of the problem along with injuries was the Texans’ inability to stop opponents from getting into the end zone. In 2013, the Texans ranked 24th in the league with 26.8 points per game allowed. Combined with poor offensive output and you get a 2-14 record. LB Brian Cushing was out for the majority of the season and will be ready to go as soon as the 2014 season starts. In the off-season the Texans lost big name players such as S Danieal Manning and DE Antonio Smith due to free agency. With that said, there is always room for major improvement. With J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney and Brian Cushing rushing the QB, the Texans’ past failures should remain a thing of well…the past.

Run Defense
Without LB Brian Cushing, the Texans ranked a mediocre 23rd in rushing yards allowed last season. This season with Cushing, Watt and now the behemoth LB Jadeveon Clowney, the Texans front seven looks absolutely lethal. As the number one overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft, Clowney has a lot of weight on his shoulders to perform at a premiere level. However, with his rare combination of size, strength, exceptional speed and quickness, Clowney should be up to the task of being a starting NFL defensive end. Where Clowney is so dynamic and great is his reactions right off the snap. He is fast, he’s quick and he is hard to coral once the ball is in the QBs hands. At 6-5, 266 pounds, Clowney knows how to compliment his size with quickness through his use of his hands and maneuvers to avoid contact with offensive lineman. At the combine Clowney showed said quickness with a 4.53 40-yard dash time along with a great 37.5″ vertical leap. At the University of South Carolina, Clowney was able to record an incredible 15.6 tackles for loss, 43.3 total tackles, eight sacks, 6.6 QB hurries and three fumbles forced per season. Although injuries inhibited his 2013 campaign, Clowney still showed he could take on the SEC and all it has to offer. Although I thought at first the Texans should have perhaps taken a QB with their first selection, I now understand that although a QB is important, defense wins championships. Look at the Panthers and 49ers. Last season they both had bottom-five passing teams and yet still made it far in the playoffs. The NFL has shown that you do not necessarily need an air-raid offense to be successful. With the Texans, Clowney could make an immediate impact playing starting at outside linebacker if the Texans deem so necessary, giving J.J. Watt the ultimate collegiate compliment. As well, the Texans added multiple other defensive additions to their scheme. DT Louis Nix and DE Jeoffrey Pagan are two players that come to mind. Although I do appreciate the skills and production of Nix’s counterpart Stephon Tuitt much better, Louis Nix is a solid selection for the Texans. Over his career as a defensive tackle for the Fighting Irish, Nix was able to record 122 tackles along with 14 tackles for loss. With Nix the Texans are getting a big boy at defensive tackle (Nix weighs in at 331 with a height of 6-2 and 3/8). Nix can help plug some holes for the Texans and give them a solid nose tackle who can stop the run, while giving J.J. Watt and Clowney some extra room on the outside to rush the QB or drop back in coverage. As a defensive end for the University of Alabama, Jeoffrey Pagan knows how to be mentally and physically tough. As defensive end, Pagan was able to register 33 total tackles, 3.5 of them going for a loss in 2013. Although the Texans already have Clowney and Watt at the defensive end position, they can still use him in case that one of those two gets injured.

Other than those guys, the Texans do have other talent on their front lines. For instance, the efforts of Brooks Reed (56 tackles, three sacks and four tackles for loss) and Whitney Mercilus (47 tackles, seven sacks and two tackles for loss) were most appreciated in 2013. This season J.J. Watt (80 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and seven passes defended), Brian Cushing (402 career tackles, 12 sacks, eight interceptions 24 passes defended and 28 tackles for loss) and DE Jared Crick (20 tackles and three passes defended) should all be able to add their own defensive flare to this Texans’ rush defense. While the other players on this Texans’ front seven may not be very recognizable, they do in fact have talent enough to make an impact.

Pass Defense
The only real knock on the Houston Texans’ secondary is that they lost safety Danieal Manning to the Bengals. Although many may not know the secondary for the Texans, I can assure you that they are definitely quality defensive backs. For example, the Texans have corners Kareem Jackson (average of 55.5 tackles and 10.25 passes defended over four seasons as a Texan) and Johnathan Joseph (47 tackles, 16 passes defended and three interceptions in 2013) who can more than adequately cover receivers. As for the safeties, the Texans have FS Chris Clemons (95.5 tackles, six passes defended and 1.5 interceptions over the past two seasons as a Dolphin) who Houston picked up from Miami during the off-season. Clemons along with SS D.J. Swearinger (71 tackles, six tackles for loss and four passes defended in 2013) will take over the top of the defense. Although both may not be totally shut-down status, I think that they will do a more-than-average job as the starters of this ball club. If they fail, there are always the rookie draft selections who can replace them in Dre Hall and Lonnie Ballentine. As a corner for Vanderbilt, Dre Hal was able to play great football. He is not necessarily a shut-down corner, but he gives the Texans depth where they need it most. And although he is considered Mr. Irrelevant, safety Lonnie Ballentine still has a small smidge of NFL promise. He becomes part of one of the NFL’s best secondaries and can learn from the best in the business. While I don’t see the Texans pass defense ranking third next season, I do expect them to at least make a top-five spot at the end of 2014.

In The End
The pure reason why I have the Texans lower than last year is because of their weakened secondary and lack of talent at right DE position. However, at the same time, I believe that Jadeveon Clowney could be the messiah that the Texans’ running game needs in order to be successful next season. J.J. Watt and Cushing know their way around this league and can teach a few tips and tricks to their newest line backer out of South Carolina.