DEFENSIVE BACKS
The secondary needs an overhaul. Injuries and Bradley Roby’s five-game suspension ruined the secondary. Cornerbacks Gareon Conley, who was supposed to start opposite Roby, never played because of an ankle injury. Reserve Phillip Gaines went down, too. Losing Justin Reid hurt the run and pass defense. Eric Murray went down at the end of the season. The Texans played the last two games without five defensive backs. The defense had a league-low three interceptions, two by Roby and Vernon Hargreaves. The Texans need two cornerbacks to go with Roby and a third safety. They expect Lonnie Johnson to improve in his third season at safety. The injuries did give Keion Crossen a chance at cornerback, and he flashed enough ability to show the next staff he should be retained. He’s also a terrific special teams player.
Grade: F