The Houston Texans have posted four-win seasons in each of the past two years. Their roster may not be underrated — it may actually be what their 8-25 combined record says they are.
However, the Texans may still have a player or two that warrants consideration from the rest of the NFL as an underrated player.
According to Sam Monson from Pro Football Focus, the Texans’ most underrated player on their roster is defensive end Jonathan Greenard.
The Texans’ roster is in such bad shape that it’s tough finding too many worthy candidates for an underrated list. You could argue Davis Mills at quarterback, but despite some flashes in his rookie season, he still finished with a 58.0 overall PFF grade and has more than enough supporters. Meanwhile, Greenard quietly put together a really nice season for the Texans in 2021. He recorded an 89.2 PFF pass-rushing grade, ranking seventh in the league among edge rushers on a much lower sample size than full-time starters. Greenard earned a bigger role going forward, which might generate him more recognition.
Greenard has steadily improved since the Texans drafted him in Round 3 of the 2020 NFL draft from Florida. Initially Greenard posted 1.0 sack through 13 games in his rookie season playing as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. In Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 with a 4-3 front, Greenard led the team with 8.0 sacks playing in a three-point stance.
New Texans defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire appreciates the motor that Greenard plays wtih.
“Just strength, length, speed, passion — he doesn’t stop,” Cesaire said. “He has an incredible motor, great, great rush hands. I just love the way he plays each and every snap.”
The Texans have given Greenard some help with free agent signings that include Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison. If Greenard can learn from their experience and apply it to his game, he should blast out of the ranks of being underrated in 2022.
