Houston Texans: Players To Watch In Preseason
By Randy Gurzi
Feb 22, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Norfolk State defensive lineman Lynden Trail gets measured during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Lynden Trail, Outside Linebacker
Another undrafted player, Lynden Trail, who was also called the biggest mystery in the draft by Peter King, due to the fact that he never really had a defined position and came into the collegiate ranks after playing defensive end, linebacker and tight end.
The Norfolk State defensive end measured 6’7″ and weighed in at 269 pounds at the combine. While he never played against elite talent, he certainly has the size to be a force in the NFL, and will fit nicely in Houston’s 3-4 system as an outside linebacker.
What makes him a player to watch is the fact that the team passed on getting any outside linebackers in the draft and instead opted for the free agency period following the draft to fill the voids there. While players like Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus (both first round selections) should handle the starting jobs, there are plenty of snaps up for grabs.
Clowney is still rehabbing from knee surgery in December and the team plans to bring him along slowly. Also, the team lost linebacker Brooks Reed to Atlanta in free agency and never replaced him via free agency or the draft.
Trail has a serious opportunity to find himself on the field early and often for the Texans if he makes the most of his chances during training camp and the preseason.