Houston Texans positional breakdown: Outside linebacker

As we quickly approach the start of training camp, we break down the Houston Texans roster by position, this time with the outside linebackers

With the draft in the rearview mirror and mini-camps getting under way, the 2016 NFL season feels closer than ever. For fans of the Houston Texans, there’s plenty of reason to be excited about the start of this coming season.

To help us all get in the spirit, we will begin to break down the 2016 version of your Texans, and today the outside linebackers get their turn in the spotlight.

The guys who line up on the edges for the Texans 3-4 system are the ones who get the glory when they do their jobs correctly. These guys are the primary pass rushers, much like a defensive end in the more traditional 4-3 scheme.

Outside linebackers in this system do have to be more diverse than those ends of course, as they do often drop into coverage in addition to rushing the passer. Players who can excel at both are invaluable to the success of the 3-4, which thrives on making offenses wonder where all the rushers are coming from.

Of course for the Texans, their top pass rusher happens to play along their line as defensive end J.J. Watt is an anomaly at the position. This doesn’t mean that the linebackers don’t get their share of hanging out with opposing quarterbacks.

We will check out who the Texans feature at this position heading into the 2016 NFL season.

Next: A first-round pass rusher