When I started doing position breakdowns back in late January/early February, the Texans had eight defensive linemen under contract. Fast forward nearly four months to the middle of May and the Texans have a whopping 17 defensive linemen under contract, including four newly signed veterans, four rookies and an International Pathway prospect. It’s an intriguing mix to say the least. Let’s take a look at how this group shapes up heading into OTAs in late May.
Players returning from 2021 squad (in order of snaps played in 2021)
Maliek Collins – 629 snaps (54.8% of total)
Collins played the most snaps of any Texans interior defender after signing a one-year deal heading into the 2021 season. After a difficult season in Las Vegas in 2020, Collins took his game up a level, or three, in Houston as he found his groove again during the 2021 season. His powerful hands and quick first step made life difficult for guards and centers on the Texans schedule. So, when the Texans re-signed Collins, I…