Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson, mid-season grades, report card
Defensive Line
Members of the Houston Texans defensive line have really stood out this year, especially defensive ends J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney, as those two have not only gotten back to form thus far this season, but they’ve helped re-energize the defensive line as an entire unit.
Watt has managed to stay healthy this season — something he was unable to do the two previous seasons — and it has shown on the defense because the unit has become one of the more formidable units in the league. Watt’s contributions to the unit include 32 tackles (25 solo), along with nine sacks and five stuffs. The defensive end also has four forced fumbles and two passes defensed through the first nine games of the year.
The defensive end Watt has recorded at least one sack in six of nine games played this season, and within that he’s had two games of at least two sacks. In Week 4, Watt exploded with three sacks and the following game collected two more. Watt has had a sack in each of the past two games going into the bye week.
Clowney has stood out as a special player as well. Clowney has played in eight games this season, gaining 5.5 sacks, including having two games of two sacks each. Overall this season, Clowney has totaled 24 tackles (20 solo) with five stuffs to go with his strong sack numbers. What is exciting about Clowney is there is still a lot in the tank, and for the most part, he’s been on the field and healthy.
Other defensive linemen for the Texans include: Angelo Blackson, Christian Covington, Brandon Dunn, Joel Heath, D.J. Reader and Carlos Watkins. Those players all have contributed to the strength of the defense too, including Dunn having 18 tackles and a forced fumble this season.
There is a lot to like about the defensive line of the Texans, and they are a viable unit to cause havoc each week for an opponent.