Grading the Houston Texans’ Defense Pre-Draft Depth Chart

Texans defense is top heavy and the “depth” chart is kiddy pool deep

Part Two of our pre-draft recon of the depth chart. Last week we reviewed the offense’s depth chart and discovered a significant need for depth at the tackle position. This week, we deep dive into the defense – a defense with as many new faces as familiar ones.

Nick Caserio has done a fairly good job at filling in holes across the defense. He’s added top end talent at premium positions while taking several rolls of the dice on the secondary. Any mock draft prognosticator or draft analyst knows Houston needs to add more talent on defense.

The grade for each position is a reflection of the top-end starting talent, backup depth pieces, and players vying for a spot on the 53-man roster – aka “Roster Fringe”. So if you see a position with a locked-in starter but no backup in place, the position will receive a lower grade.

Defensive End:

Starters: Will Anderson Jr. Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter

Depth: Dylan Horton, Derek Barnett

Roster Fringe: Marcus Haynes, Ali Gaye

Grade: A-

Analysis: This one was hard to grade. It’s hard to not give a good grade to a group that has the Defensive Rookie of the Year and the best free agent of the class. However, there are questions surrounding the depth at the position that haven’t been addressed. Dylan Horton’s cancer recovery is a definite blow to the depth of this group. Meanwhile, Derek Barnett was one of the brightest spots in midseason free agency. He’s only 28 years old and provides a great change-of-pace to the defensive ends on the roster. Look for Houston to add a day three option at defensive end to bolster this group and hedge the bet until Horton returns.

Defensive Tackle:

Starters: Denico Autry, Foley Fatukasi

Depth: Tim Settle, Kurt Hinish, Mario Edwards, Khalil Davis

Roster Fringe: McTelvin Agim

Grade: C

Analysis: This position group has seen the biggest decline in talent on the roster. If Houston plans to rotate this group with four, even five players, they’re going to have a hard time finding consistency. The best player in this position is going to be 34 when the season starts. Foley Fatukasi is a solid starting defensive tackle who can rush the passer. Fatukasi was a cap casualty more than a performance casualty of the Jaguars this offseason. One of the more underrated signings of the class.

Kurt Hinish is the only real roster holdover after Houston forewent resigning Sheldon Rankins and traded Maliek Collins. Khalil Davis was a mid-season addition who proved himself in the playoffs and end of season rotation. The front office expressed how impressed they are with his play last season.

This position is by far one of the teams biggest needs heading into the draft. With a class full of questions, Houston could be without a legitimate answer at defensive tackle heading into the 2024 season.

Linebackers:

Starters: Christian Harris, Azeez Al-Shaair, Henry To’oTo’o

Depth: Neville Hewitt, Jake Hanson

Roster Fringe: Del’Shawn Phillips

Grade: B

Analysis: Losing Blake Cashman and Denzel Perryman thins out this group significantly. Christian Harris was the most improved player on the team and stood out in the playoffs. Houston added Al-Shaair early in free agency as an underrated player who is familiar with DeMeco Ryans. Henry To’oTo’o substituted well as the third linebacker, but was picked on in coverage and in running game directed at him. This group is missing a pass rush threat and a quality coverage linebacker.

Finding a third linebacker early is a “nice to have” on other defenses, but when the head coach is a former LB, it’s imperative. This linebacker class is extremely top heavy. Plus, there aren’t many other free agents to be found.

Safeties:

Starters: Jalen Pitre, Jimmie Ward

Depth: Eric Murray, M.J. Stewart

Roster Fringe: Lonnie Johnson Jr. Brandon Hill, Josh Thompson

Grade: C-

Analysis: Another group where fans have been pining for new blood, safety presents a mixed bag of questionable veterans and unanswered questions. Is Jalen Pitre valuable or a liability? What was the reason for bringing back former bust Lonnie Johnson Jr? Will Eric Murray ever get healthy? I truly don’t think many fans even consider or acknowledge Jimmie Ward on the Texans roster… can the 32 year old safety hold it together? Too many questions

The depth of this position is concerning enough that I shifted the grade from a C+ to a C-. Considering the amount of free agency talent available plus a half dozen starting caliber safeties in the draft, Houston will be adding additional support here soon.

Who else is crossing their fingers for Tyler Nubin at 42?

Cornerbacks:

Starters: Derek Stingley Jr., Jeff Okudah, Desmond King II

Backups: C.J. Henderson, Mike Ford

Roster Fringe: Myles Bryant, D’Angelo Ross, Kris Boyd

Grade: B-

Analysis: Looking at this as a collective group and in context of the safeties as well…. Houston can’t leave the second round without acquiring a defensive back. Does anyone truly trust Jeff Okudah to START for 17 weeks next season? It’s icky at CB2 – there’s a ton of projecting and gambling that either Henderson or Okudah can put it together for one last jaunt at the NFL before being designated a wholesale bust. The backend of the current roster includes special teams contributors, not competitors for starting jobs.

Another position ripe for bolstering via the draft. There’s top end talent well into round two, but there’s a steep cliff after the third when the likes of Max Melton and Cam Hart are off the board. It’s a solid class nonetheless, but Houston is after a legitimate CB2.