ESPN released their Top 100 NFL players this week with the Houston Texans having four players selected to the list, two from the offense and two from the defense.
This the time of the preseason where rankings and ratings rule supreme for all football fans, and ESPN is no different as they’ve released their Top 100 NFL Players for the 2018 season. There are four Houston Texans players named to the list, all four deserving of being selected.
On the list for the Texans is wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was the highest-rated Texans player, coming in at 24th overall. Next was defensive end Jadeveon Clowney at 33rd, and giving Houston three players in the Top 50 was defensive end J.J. Watt at 41st. Also on the list for the offense is quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is entering his second season after having his rookie year cut short due to an ACL tear.
The top-ranked player in the NFL, according to ESPN, is Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, followed by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in second place. The Texans open the ’18 season against the Patriots on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. ET.
Seeing four players on any Top 100 NFL list is good news for the Texans, especially with three of them in the Top 50, and if Watson had stayed healthy last season, he would most likely be in the Top 50 as well.
Although the Texans have their issues in various areas of the roster, especially on the offensive line, having players with the abilities of Hopkins, Clowney, Watt and Watson makes for a lot to look forward to if all of them are able to stay on the field.
If Watson and Hopkins can be the offensive duo they are very capable of becoming, that could help Houston overcome some of their offensive line issues. The same goes for Watt and Clowney. If they can not only stay healthy, but also be on the field at the same time, that becomes a very dangerous duo for the rest of the NFL.
ESPN has taken notice of the superstar-caliber players on the Texans roster on this list, but for it to equal positive results, these four must play at a high level, which they are capable of doing. What are your thoughts? Did ESPN get their list correct?
Should there be more Texans players on this list? Time will tell just how good this group of Houston players can be in 2018, but if they are healthy, they will be much better than their 4-12 record from last season.