Even after spending over $142 million this offseason, the Houston Texans still could use an upgrade to their secondary. More specifically, Houston could be in the market for another safety.
Barring a last-second swing at one of the remaining free agents, pivoting toward the draft might be general manager Nick Caserio’s best plan of adding competition to the back end. With two picks in the second round, one could be used to add a more nuanced defender who can be a constant in coverage downfield.
Everything for the Texans is about fit. After splurging to land talents like Danielle Hunter, Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs, Houston is swinging for a shot at the Super Bowl in 2024, so adding a prospect with upside does little to the immediate plans.
One prospect to monitor? Minnesota All-American Tyler Nubin. According to ESPN’s Matt Bowen, the three-year starter is a “perfect fit” for DeMeco Ryans’ defensive formation.
Nubin is an easy fit for DeMeco Ryans’ defense given his coverage awareness, demeanor, and ability to create production on the ball. In Houston, Nubin could run the alleys and play top down from split-field alignments, and he has the post instincts to patrol the middle third of the field as a center fielder. Nubin, who had 13 career interceptions for the Gophers, also has special teams upside on coverage units. – ESPN
Nubin was a human highlight reel during his time with the Golden Gophers. A physical tackler with a knack for playing the run, the 6-foot-2 defensive back flew to the football and was a constant for P.J. Fleck’s secondary.
Turnovers, however, are where Nubin shined. His 13 interceptions were a Big Ten record over three seasons, but he also was credited with 11 pass breakups.
Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward played well against the run, though Pitre was credited with 14 missed tackles. Both struggled at times playing deep in man coverage, often leading to explosive plays and a fresh set of downs for the offense.
Adding Nubin shouldn’t remove either player from the field. Pitre, a former second-round pick, won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year during his final season at Baylor while lining up as the ‘STAR’ or nickel defender.
Ward, who joined Ryans following his stint with the San Francisco 49ers, began his career in the Bay Area as a nickel-only defensive back before transitioning to safety in 2018. He also moved back down to the nickel spot in 2022 as the 49ers pushed their way to another NFC championship appearance following the emergence of Talanoa Hufanga.
The Texans, who finished 23rd in pass coverage, only recorded 14 interceptions, nine of which came from Derek Stingley Jr. and Steven Nelson. Stingley is locked up at least through the 2025 season and is viewed as the long-term No. 1 corner. Nelson remains a free agent, but a reunion feels unlikely after the Texans signed former first-rounders Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson.
Nubin could be the missing piece that transcends the Texans from playoff contender to Super Bowl front-runner. Safety should be addressed at some point during the draft, and the Texans’ first pick in Round 2 might be Nubin’s floor after a bountiful free agency.
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