Houston Texans positional breakdown: Safety

Dec 27, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Houston Texans strong safety Quintin Demps (27) picks up the ball fumbled by Tennessee Titans running back Antonio Andrews (26) (not pictured) and runs for a touchdown during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Houston Texans strong safety Quintin Demps (27) picks up the ball fumbled by Tennessee Titans running back Antonio Andrews (26) (not pictured) and runs for a touchdown during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 22, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans strong safety Andre Hal (29) following an interception during game against the New York Jets at NRG Stadium. Houston won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans strong safety Andre Hal (29) following an interception during game against the New York Jets at NRG Stadium. Houston won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

Starter number one, Andre Hal

Andre Hal spent his rookie season playing cornerback for the Houston Texans, who selected him out of Vanderbilt in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft. After the team used a first round selection the following season on corner Kevin Johnson, they wisely decided to try Hal at safety.

Vitals
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 188 Pounds
Age: 24
Career tackles: 45
Career interceptions: 4

The move paid off for both the player and team as Hal went from deep on the cornerback depth chart to starting safety after the switch.

Although undersized for a safety at under 6-foot and less than 200 pounds, Hal was able to play very well en route to recording 36 tackles, deflecting 10 passes, intercepting four and returning one for a touchdown.

His development made the swing-and-miss signing of Rahim Moore a lot less painful, and he should head into 2016 as the unquestioned starter. He knows that he needs to bulk up some, but still believes there can be great things ahead for him and this defense.

2016 season prediction: 60 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 interceptions

Next: The veteran