Houston Texans Running Backs Breakdown

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Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Jonathan Grimes (41) runs with the ball during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Jonathan Grimes

2012 William & Mary undrafted free agent Jonathan Grimes has spent three seasons in the NFL with this actually being his third stint on the Texans roster, and he received nearly as many carries last season (39) as Polk did. Grimes did more with those touches, as he averaged a slightly higher 3.9 yards per carry, though he did average slightly less yards after contact per carry (2.2).

Although he’s 25, Grimes has more upside than Hilliard, and while 40 times don’t mean that much at the running back position (just ask Alfred Morris), it’s worth noting that his 4.55 forty coming out of college was faster than Blue’s 4.63 time. Grimes is an intriguing back who has an underrated and equal shot at being the team’s No. 2 RB, so both Polk and Blue will have to watch out for him.

Working in his favor is the fact that Pro Football Focus gave him positive marks for his pass protection last season, so if he can keep that up, then he could have an edge on the other backs when it comes to earning a third-down role. I don’t expect him to receive many carries, though, and he might only get around 20 rushes, as he did in 2013 when Foster went down.

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