Houston Texans 53-man roster predictions post-2020 NFL Draft

Defensive Line (7)

NT: Tim Jernigan, Brandon Dunn, Ross Blacklock (R); DE: Angelo Blackson, Charles Omenihu, J.J. Watt, Carlos Watkins

The Houston Texans news this offseason was that they’ll eventually sign Tim Jernigan to a free-agent deal, plus the Texans have drafted Ross Blacklock in the second round, and those two were added because D.J. Reader left to join the Cincinnati Bengals.

With the Texans using a second-round pick on Blacklock the Texans hopefully have found the long-term replacement for Reader as he spent the past four seasons with the Texans, including coming off his best season of his career.

In his five seasons with the Texans, Dunn has just one sack, but he too can contribute at nose tackle, and he’s played a little defensive end in his career, too.  If he stays on the team, Dunn will be in a rotation with Blacklock and Jernigan so that trio at nose tackle is bound to do some damage, because they really will have their work cut out for them if they want to play to the level that Reader brought each week.

We all know what J.J. Watt can bring to the roster each and every season, but coming back after missing eight games a season ago will be much different than when he returned for two playoff games, as he wasn’t back to his full ability as a pass rusher at defensive end.

A couple players who could improve and be a surprise will be Charles Omenihu and Brandon Dunn, plus just what will Angelo Blackson and Carlos Watkins will bring to the team as well? All in all, the defensive linemen of the Texans in their 3-4 base scheme have to be at the top of their game if they want to make the roster.