5 breakout stars to watch for Houston Texans in 2020

3. OLB Brennan Scarlett

The linebacking corps of the Houston Texans is not lacking in productive players. There is 2018 Pro Bowler Benardrick McKinney, eight-year veteran Whitney Mercilus and the emerging Zach Cunningham. The latter has led the team in total tackles each of the past two seasons, something McKinney managed in both 2016 and 2017. This past season, Cunningham finished with a whopping 137 stops, as well as two sacks and two fumble recoveries. McKinney has reached the century mark in tackles in three of the past four seasons, including 101 tackles in 2019.

Elsewhere, Mercilus is coming off arguably the most complete campaign of his career with 48 tackles, a team-high 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and the first two interceptions of his pro career.

Of course, this was quite the group of four when Jadeveon Clowney was a member of the team. But his trade to Seattle a year ago opened the door for Brennan Scarlett. The former undrafted free agent totaled 48 defensive stops, 3.5 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles. He also managed three tackles on special teams, where he has toiled in each of his four seasons. But he comes off a 2019 season in which he started a career-best 10 games and two playoff contests and has an opportunity to really establish himself this year.