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Power ranking the NFL defenses for 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 03: Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) cools off between drills during the Houston Texans Training Camp at the Houston Methodist Training Center on August 3, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 03: Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) cools off between drills during the Houston Texans Training Camp at the Houston Methodist Training Center on August 3, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

5. Houston Texans

2018 Review: After a season which saw the Houston defense take its lumps, this unit once again made its presence felt around the league as coordinator Romeo Crennel returned to the sidelines. Of course, defensive end J.J. Watt was back and healthy after missing a combined 24 games from 2016-17. He finished with 16 sacks and also helped the Texans finish third in the league vs. the run. Jadeveon Clowney finished with at least nine QB traps and three fumble recoveries for the second consecutive year. But Crennel’s unit certainly had its issues at cornerback.

2019 Key Additions: The team finished 28th in the NFL vs. the pass a year ago and the secondary was overhauled this offseason – primarily via free agency. It now features performers such as safeties Tashaun Gipson (Jaguars) and Jahleel Addae (Chargers) and cornerbacks Bradley Roby (Broncos) and Briean Boddy-Calhoun (Browns). The Texans also added a pair of corners in the draft in Lonnie Johnson (2-Kentucky) and Xavier Crawford (6-Michigan).

Analysis: The Texans feature one of the league’s top front-sevens with Watt, Clowney, Whitney Mercilus and productive inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney. The latter has led or tied for the team lead in tackles each of the past three seasons. Getting Clowney re-signed is very important, regardless of what the future holds for. But the real challenge for Crennel is getting all those new pieces in the secondary to gel as a unit. Don’t bet against it.

Next: No. 4

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