90-man roster: Texans defensive backs

6th Grade – 2nd in Houston

2023 Stats (AZ & HOU) – Six games, two tackles

The former Longhorns defensive back was a key special teams player late in the 2023 season after being claimed off waivers. He remained with the Texans this offseason, so we’ll get a better look at Boyd with more snaps as a defensive back this preseason. He’s a heck of an athlete with his length and size, so he’s an intriguing candidate for the roster, especially given his special teams acumen.

11th Grade – 2nd in Houston

2023 Stats – 10 games, 50 tackles, one INT, three passes deflected, one forced fumble

– 20th on active roster with two career sixth-round picks

When Ward was healthy and on the field in 2023, he was a major asset to the defense. In fact, when he was on the field, this defense had some of its best performances. He sealed the game against the Broncos with an interception in the end zone. He’s a leader. He’s tough. He’s fearless in run support. When he was on the field, it was clear that this defense played with a different attitude and arrogance, for lack of a better word. I like having him on the field because he makes life difficult for opposing receivers. I just hope he can be fully healthy heading into the 2024 season, his 11th in the league.

5th grade – 1st in Houston

2023 Stats (CAR) – 12 games, 39 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, one QB hit, two passes deflected

Like Okudah, Henderson was a former first-round pick who hadn’t quite found his comfortable footing in the league after four years. But, you want to talk about upside? Henderson has upside/traits for days to come and that athleticism and potential is what the Texans are banking on this summer. During OTAs/minicamp, Henderson showed some flashes of the guy many thought would be in the league when he was drafted, but can he make those key plays in training camp and preseason games, playing at a high level, to earn a roster spot and earn playing time? That’s what the Texans need to figure out sooner rather than later.

9th Grade – 5th in Houston

FA signing in 2020, re-signing in 2023, re-signing in 2024

2023 Stats – Six games, 13 tackles, one forced fumble

One of the longest-tenured Texans was sorely missed after his injury early in the 2023 season. Prior to that injury, he had filled in for injured Jimmie Ward and Jalen Pitre at safety and had been a rock-solid contributor. When he was signed by Houston in 2020, expectations were sky-high and while people just didn’t want to hear it, Murray was valuable to this defense. He remains valuable to this defense, for sure, as he can play either safety position and be a huge contributor on special teams.

2023 Stats – 11 games, 39 tackles, five interceptions, 13 passes deflected, 1.0 TFL

– Tied for 4th in the NFL in 2023 with five interceptions

– 2nd in the NFL in 2023 with 0.45 INT/game, only Daron Bland (DAL) had a higher rate

– He had five interceptions in nine games played.

1x AFC Defensive Player of the Week – 2023

1x AFC Defensive Player of the Month – 2023

In this very article last year, I wrote…

“When he’s healthy and fit, there’s no cornerback more talented than the youngster from LSU. He’s only played 19 games in three seasons, so he still has some areas to improve, but his ability and competitive spirit are remarkable every day. I can’t wait to see him in his sophomore year.”

I feel really, REALLY good about those words after the season the Pro Bowl alternate had in 2024. However, 2023 didn’t start off well as a hamstring injury created problems for the defense starting in Week 3. But Sting returned for the game against Cincinnati in Week 9 and didn’t look back. He threw interceptions in the next three games, one of which may have been the most athletic defensive play of this season and many others. Former Broncos QB Russell Wilson will never forget seeing his big WR Courtland Sutton down the seam, seemingly wide open, only for Stingley Jr. to close in, jump over Sutton and steal it. My goodness. The sky’s the limit for the soon-to-be third-year STAR.

Nickel 25 Desmond King II

8th Grade – 4th in Houston

FA signing in 2021, re-signing in 2023, re-signing in 2024

2023 Stats (PIT and HOU) – Ten games, 47 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, two passes deflected

1x 1st Team All-Pro – 2018

What a season King II had in Houston in 2023. He was released after training camp and played against the Texans in Week 4 as a member of the Steelers. Then, he returned to Houston when the Texans struggled with injuries in the defensive secondary. He made one of the defensive stops of the season against Jacksonville in Week 12 on the only defensive play he played. He then started the following week and didn’t look back. He was exceptional in the nickel role for the rest of the season, making tackles and plays all over the field. He also had a few big plays taken away from him, like the early whistle against Denver that negated a triple play (FF, FR, and scoop and score). Regardless, he embraced the nickel role in Houston last year and was a key figure in the Texans’ run to the playoffs.

5th grade – 2nd in Houston

Statistics 2023 (LV) – one match

The Texans signed Pride late in the 2023 season with the intention of signing him to a futures contract. He is built like a cornerback and runs like one (4.4 at the 2020 Combine). With a full offseason of work and time with the coaching staff, it will be interesting to see what Pride is able to show this staff during training camp and beyond.

7th Grade – 3rd in Houston

FA signing in 2022, contract renewal in 2024

2023 Stats – Eight games, 22 tackles, one FR, one FF

With Ward on the mend since the start of the season, Stewart stepped up to play in a number of key opportunities before unfortunately being injured for the season in the win over Tampa Bay. The veteran’s leadership and versatility are essential for the Texans’ defense and special teams in 2024. Having Stewart on this defense is a comforting feeling that was missed when he went out with that injury last season.

5th grade – 1st in Houston

2023 Stats (NE) – 17 games, 77 tackles, one INT, two FF, 1.0 sack, 7.0 TFL, one QB hit

Perhaps the sneakiest move of the offseason was signing Bryant after a very productive career in New England. Now, when you see him, you might not know he’s on this team. But he is, and he could become one of your favorites in due time. He’s as smart as they come on the field, and the defense can do so much with Bryant on the field. He’s not big, but that’s about the only complaint you can make about Bryant, who has been a star nickel back in his days in Washington. He had the mentality of a walk-on and the overall skills of a pro, but he’s only 5’8″. His lack of size doesn’t bother me in the least, but he’s often overlooked as a result.

6th grade – 4th in Houston

2023 Stats (NO) – 12 games, nine tackles, one INT, one FR, two passes defended

Lotto is BACK! There have been a few boomerangs over the years and even one in this Texans secondary (Desmond King II). Johnson is back for his sixth year, which is incredible to think about in a way. Lonnie has found his groove intercepting passes and running on every special teams unit the last few years. He’s going to have to do both of those things as well as he ever has to make this 53-man roster. But, he’s got that proverbial club in his bag, so I expect Lonnie to fight to make this team come training camp.

Hill was a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and was ready to make an impact on this team going into training camp last year. But he suffered an injury that sidelined him for a significant amount of time in August/September and really ruined his rookie season. He was able to get a couple of games of special teams work, but the injury just eliminated any real progress he could have made in 2023. But here we are in 2024 and he’s back healthy and ready. He’s a hammer puncher and plays with the confidence of a Floridian (IYKYK). I just want to see him healthy to see what he can do at this level.

2023 Stats – 13 games, 8 tackles

The Texans re-signed Ross in early 2024 to return to the defensive and special teams units. He provided excellent play on special teams throughout his time in Houston and would like the opportunity to show what he can do on defense in 2024 and beyond. He should get that chance during training camp in 2024, but he will start on the PUP list at the start of camp.

2023 Stats (USC) – 12 games, 63 tackles, two INTs, seven PBUs

Here is an excerpt from my scouting report on Bullock

“He plays the game without any fear. He will walk up and introduce himself to a ball carrier wearing a different color jersey.

He can FLY now. His transition quickness is exceptional and his range in the middle of the field is top-notch among the safety group.”

But the one area of ​​his game that needs to improve in 2024 and beyond is his open-field tackling. He has no fear, none, but he needs to improve his tackling skills to become a top-tier safety in the future. He’ll get the ball in the air, but there have been big plays given up because of his poor tackling technique. Once he improves that area, Bullock will shine consistently.