The Houston Texans have players who are flying under the radar before the 2020 NFL season.
We all know the Houston Texans have the star players such as quarterback Deshaun Watson and defensive end — and the co-host of “Ultimate Tag” — J.J. Watt, as both are known on a national level.
The Texans also have some players known throughout the NFL circles like Brandin Cooks, Kenny Stills, Laremy Tunsil and Whitney Mercilus, to name just a couple players whom many NFL fans know the names of. But then there are those players who are grinders, work just as hard as the stars — maybe even harder — and do their job very well from the first quarter all the way to the conclusion of the game.
That is what brings up to this article discussing four Houston Texans players who are under-the-radar players, but players will make an impact for the team once the 2020 regular season arrives. These players whom we’ll talk about later are those players who play on both the offensive and the defensive side of the ball, and not only that, have had some big moments while members of the Houston Texans franchise.
These players have had Houston Texans news headlines, and these Texans news makers are going to be of vast importance in pivotal games against such opponents as the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens, which are the first two games of the 2020 season.
Granted, some of these players won’t be the face of the Texans franchise, and others will do their job quietly, but there is the impact that they will make. That is more important and helpful to the Texans, as all 50-plus players on the main roister can be the face of the team.
Some of the more memorable members of the Texans franchise weren’t the top players on the team, and some of the bigger players this team the past couple season weren’t maybe noticed nationally, but those role players were a part of two AFC South titles the past two seasons and even a playoff win as well.
Of course, there is work to be done for the Texans in 2020, but next are four players who are under-the radar player who must and will make an impact for the franchise in 2020 if the team wants to have a third straight AFC South title and more success in the playoffs.
Houston Texans: 4. Max Scharping, Guard
One of the players everyone should be looking forward to watching this season is offensive guard Max Scharping, as it will be interesting to see how much he improves from year one to year two, especially with less work this offseason as camps have been canceled during this offseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What I’ll be watching for with Scharping is how he avoids having a “sophomore slump” so to speak, and how he plays knowing he’ll be a guard all this season, as the tackle spots, barring any injuries, will be held by Tunsil and Tytus Howard.
Scharping should see more snaps this season, and seeing how he handles having more on his plate will be worth watching for because one way or another, the 2019 second-round pick will have an impact on the Houston Texans offense in 2020.
Houston Texans: 3. Duke Johnson, Running Back
No matter where Duke Johnson is playing while in the NFL, he always seems to be an under-the-radar type of player, and it shouldn’t be that way. Johnson made Texans news when he joined the team last season, and he played well when given the opportunity to be on the field with the offense.
Last season, Johnson was the second running back on the roster as he played behind Carlos Hyde, who was a 1,000-yard rusher last season. This season, Duke Johnson will most likely be the second running back on the depth chart, playing behind David Johnson.
The Houston Texans are expecting big things from David Johnson, but don’t forget about Duke Johnson either because he can make an impact on the Texans offense on any given play if given the chance.
In 2019, Duke Johnson made two starts and played in all 16 games. In the regular season, Johnson had 83 rushes, the second most of his career for a season, and he ran for 410 yards, which was a career-high. Seventeen of his carries went for a first down, and his longest run was 40 yards, all a career-high, and he rushed for two touchdowns.
Duke Johnson averages 4.9 yards per carry, and he also played well with his pass-catching abilities. Johnson caught 44 receptions for 410 yards and three touchdowns, and 18 of his receptions were good enough for a first down.
There is much more to come from Johnson in his role as the second running back, and like his counterpart David Johnson, the running back known as Duke Johnson can be a dual threat player as well. That will make for an huge impact player that some might not see coming in 2020.
Houston Texans: 2. Jacob Martin, Linebacker
In terms of seeing Jacob Martin as an underrated player on the Houston Texans, some of it comes from the lack of snaps he’s had since joining the team as a part of the trade that sent Jadeveon Clowney to the Seattle Seahawks in 2019.
Martin is only 24 years old and has played in the NFL for the past two seasons, with 16 games as a member of the Seahawks and 14 games last season as a member of the Texans. Last season with the Texans, Martin had one forced fumble, 3.5 sacks and six solo tackles. Martin also totaled three tackles for loss and seven QB hits.
I’m guilty of overlooking Martin at times, but this upcoming season for the linebacker is his opportunity to do some productive things as a member of the Texans for a second straight season, plus the Texans have a new defensive coordinator in Anthony Weaver.
Pro Football Focus graded Martin at 56.5 last season, and during his rookie season in Seattle, his PFF grade was 66.5.
What will be the part to focus on with Martin is his overall snap count and playing time with the Houston Texans in 2020. The 6’2, 242-pound Martin — if he sees more time on the field — will make more of a name for himself, but he’ll have to battle to share time this season with Brennan Scarlett, who is currently at the top of the depth chart for one of the middle linebacker starting roles.
Martin might not jump off the page in name recognition, and his stats due to playing time aren’t the highest, but year three in the league could mean more success for the inside linebacker of the Texans if he gets more time on the field.
Houston Texans: 1. Lonnie Johnson Jr., Cornerback
The 24-year old Lonnie Johnson Jr., a cornerback for the Houston Texans, is still working his way to the starting role, but even if his isn’t one of the top two cornerbacks on the team, Johnson is still able to make an impact in 2020 as an under-the-radar player.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Texans cornerback Johnson had 33 solo tackles last season, and teams targeted him 52 times, where he allowed 33 receptions. As last season was his rookie season, the second-round selection had a PFF grade of 36.0, and we all know the 2020 season has a much better grade in store for Johnson.
What there is to like about Johnson is the fact his potential is great, and let’s be honest, one rookie season in the NFL isn’t the end-all, be-all when it comes to a player. Don’t forget he returned a blocked punt for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round of the AFC Playoffs.
There will be improvement from Johnson this season, and he’s going to continue to grow and make an impact for the secondary, all while being a player that is under the radar with teammates like Bradley Roby and Gareon Conley in the mix as potential starters for the Houston Texans in 2020.
The Texans news will be simple for Johnson this season, and that is he has the ability to make an impact for the Texans, he should be an improved player in year two, and more folks will know of him and the potential he brings as the 2020 season rolls along this fall and winter.