Houston Texans: Five players who exceeded expectations

Whitney Mercilus, Outside Linebacker

The Houston Texans spent first round selections on pass rushers in 2011, defensive end J.J. Watt, 2012, outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus, and again in 2014 with outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney.

Of course Watt came into 2015 as a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, but the other two had yet to pan out. Clowney, the first overall pick in 2014, spent most of his rookie season injured and recorded zero sacks. Mercilus had more success, but still averaged just six sacks per season for his first three years.

This season looked to be more of the same as Mercilus was off to a slow start with no sacks through the first five games. Then they visited the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 18th, and Mercilus turned his season around with a two sack performance.

He showed up big again two weeks later by registering 3.5 sacks against the Tennessee Titans as he helped the team to another crucial AFC South victory.

When the season was wrapped up, the linebacker had doubled his career average for sacks by recording 12. He ended the year with 52 tackles and a forced fumble as well, far exceeding the expectations the team had for him.

Next: Houston Texans: Five free agent options at safety

Feel free to keep the discussion going in the comment section below and talk about which player most exceeded your expectations.