Houston Texans land zero players on PFF’s top 101 players list

Unsurprisingly, the Houston Texans terrible 2021 season reflected in PFF’s top 101 rankings.

With a 4-13 record in 2021, the Houston Texans were one of the worst teams in the league. Caught in the storm of sexual misconduct and abuse allegations to their franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson to then-rookie Davis Mills getting thrown into a starting role early in the season, it was tough to watch.

So when PFF ranked their top 101 players of the season, it’s not too shocking to see that Houston didn’t have a single player. It would be tough to nominate anyone from the Texans to be on that list, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to get shut out next year.

Mills is one player that definitely played above his expectations as a third-round pick. Even Brandin Cooks had a 1,000-yard season in the league’s 28th-ranked passing offense. Kamu Grugier-Hill also had more than 100 tackles on the season as well.

Houston Texans will have to earn a spot on PFF’s list in 2022

Depending on how free agency and the 2022 NFL Draft goes for the Texans, expect at least two Houston players to make an appearance on this list next year. Houston’s new head coach, Lovie Smith has always elevated defenses no matter where he’s been.

What’s really going to be impressive is if Smith can elevate Mills and the offense. Smith has had inconsistencies with his offense when he has been a head coach and hasn’t always had the best quarterbacks either (Rex Grossman, Jay Culter, Jameis Winston).

Nick Caserio will have to hit on the teams’ first-round draft pick, their first since 2019 when they selected Tytus Howard. Other teams have shown that first-round picks aren’t the “end all, be all”, while others have whiffed badly (Rams and Cardinals respectively in this comparison).

Draft the right players, sign some key contributors, and watch this list populate with Texans players next season.