Fansided

Juiciest training camp battle for each NFL team

By Brad Weiss

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: The Arizona Cardinals select UCLA Quarterback Josh Rosen tenth overall during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 26, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: The Arizona Cardinals select UCLA Quarterback Josh Rosen tenth overall during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 26, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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PALO ALTO, CA – NOVEMBER 18: Justin Reid #8 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates a play during the annual Big Game against the California Golden Bears played November 18, 2017 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. Other visible players include Casey Toohill #52, Harrison Phillips #66, and Jovan Swan #51 of Stanford. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA – NOVEMBER 18: Justin Reid #8 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates a play during the annual Big Game against the California Golden Bears played November 18, 2017 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. Other visible players include Casey Toohill #52, Harrison Phillips #66, and Jovan Swan #51 of Stanford. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images) /

Houston Texans: Andre Hal vs. Justin Reid

The Houston Texans were bitten by the injury bug early and often last season, as they looked to be a team that could challenge in the AFC South. Rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson looked every bit the part of a first round selection, but a non-contact knee injury in practice really put a halt to anything this Texans team could do on offense.

Heading into 2018, the Texans should be back to full strength, and that includes both sides of the ball. Star defensive end J.J. Watt missed a ton of time last season with injury as well, and with both Watt and Watson healthy this upcoming season, the Texans have to be thinking about making back to the playoffs after a year hiatus.

When it comes to the defensive secondary, the Texans have a lot of different battles going on, but none bigger than at the safety position. Andre Hal is currently listed atop the depth chart at free safety, but he is going to get major competition from a rookie this summer.

The Texans made Justin Reid their third round pick this past April, and he has the kind of  talent that could start right away in the NFL. He was a devastatingly good player for the Stanford Cardinal during his time in the Pac-12, and the Texans could use a playmaker like him in their defensive secondary.

Hal is a solid player, and is not going to give up is starting spot easily. The problem is, Reid may be just too talented to keep out of the starting lineup, especially on a Texans defense that should be one of the best in their division in 2018.