Ranking AFC South Units: Defensive Lines
By Josh McSwain
1. Texans
Honestly, J.J. Watt is so good that the rest of the defensive line can be average and the Texans would still be the best. There’s no question Watt is the best defensive player in the league, and really the best overall player. Perhaps not the most important because of all the focus that gets put on quarterbacks, but any coach would build a defense around Watt if they had the opportunity.
Beyond Watt, things do get kind of murky. The aging Vince Wilfork will hold down the middle for another year before he either leaves or retires. He’s still a big body but he can’t move like he used to, at best he will be able to clog the run and allow other guys to make plays.
D.J. Reader is the heir apparent to Wilfork in the middle. The fifth round pick out of Clemson played on a defensive line with Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd, both of whom were picked high in the draft this past year. At 340 pounds Reader is another big body who will be able to stuff the run and will be able to get broken in slowly as Wilfork gets phased out.
There will be a competition between most of the other defensive linemen—Devon Still, Brandon Dunn, Christian Covington and others for the starting spot at the other defensive end. Replacing Jared Crick could be a harder task than people think it will be. Crick was a solid run defender although not much of a pass rusher, but he took his talents to Denver to replace Jackson.
With Watt in the fold, there’s no question the Texans have the best defensive line in the division. Only if he really stumbles this season or gets hurt can they fall from the top spot.