Position analysis: Safeties
With training camp approaching, we're sizing up the Texans and look at each position group.
Justin Reid is the leader of the Texans’ secondary and one of the most important parts of the defense.
Heading into training camp and his third NFL season, the Stanford graduate has emerged as an important part of the defense with his hard-hitting style, instincts and intellectual prowess. Reid finds the football fast and is an excellent tackler.
Reid is also fully healthy for the first time since he entered the league as a third-round draft pick. He played the 2019 season with a painful torn labrum in his shoulder that limited his range of motion. He had surgery to repair the damage in January and has made a full recovery. He’s able to lift heavy weights again.
The Texans won the AFC South last season but need a big year out of Reid after ranking 29th against the pass, surrendering 4,491 passing yards, 33 touchdown passes and an average of 12 yards per catch. During a 51-31 blowout loss in the playoffs to the eventual Super Bowl champion Chiefs, the secondary was shredded
mercilessly as quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw five touchdown passes.
To improve as a defense, Reid needs help alongside him.
One year after losing safety Tyrann Mathieu to the Chiefs and
cornerback-safety Kareem Jackson to the Broncos in free agency last offseason, the Texans signed safety Tashaun Gipson to a threeyear, $22.5 million contract.
Gipson played well with three interceptions and was strong in
run support and against tight ends before being shut down with a transverse process fracture in his lower back. He was cut after the season.
The Texans replaced Gipson with former Browns and Chiefs safety Eric Murray, signing him to a three-year, $20.5 million contract.
Murray had 24 tackles and one sack in nine games and four starts for Cleveland last season. For his career, Murray has recorded 123 tackles, two sacks and one interception.
Behind Reid and Murray, it will be a competitive situation for third safety duties between Michael Thomas, a Pro Bowl specialteams contributor who joined the team on a one-year contract after playing for the Giants, and former Chargers and Eagles defensive back Jaylen Watkins.
Thomas is a big hitter with a nose for the ball and sound coverage techniques who has been productive when he’s had a larger role.
Watkins is a versatile athlete who has also played corner.
The Texans have A.J. Moore back, who has been outstanding on special teams with his speed and ability to defeat or run past blockers.
There’s been some buzz surrounding Jonathan Owens as a special-teams candidate. Owens is one of the fastest players on the roster and joined the team via the practice squad last season.