Jonathan Greenard has seen the Houston Texans defensive line in many of its forms over the past four seasons, but the 2023 version could be special.
The Texans took Greenard in Round 3 of the 2020 NFL draft. Although an outside linebacker in the final year of Bill O’Brien’s regime, which used a 3-4 front, the former Florida product transitioned to playing as a down lineman in Lovie Smith’s deployment of the Tampa 2 with a 4-3 front.
Houston is sticking with the 4-3 as new coach DeMeco Ryans implements more of an attacking front rather than the read-and-react schemes of the past two seasons. The Texans are melding some of the personnel from the past two seasons with new pieces.
According to Greenard, the Texans’ defensive line may play above expectations.
“I mean, it could be a really really talented, productive group,” Greenard told reporters Aug. 3 after training camp. “I think we’ve got all aspects of rushers, all aspects of players in general.”
The Texans had some pieces on their line, but they bolstered them in free agency. Where the club had a talented three-technique defensive tackle in Maliek Collins, they signed Sheldon Rankins.
Houston wasn’t afraid to use the draft to shore up their defensive line. With Jerry Hughes, who led the Texans with 9.0 sacks last season, and Greenard still under contract, Houston traded up to take defensive end Will Anderson No. 3 overall.
Said Greenard: “I mean, we’ve got a combo. And I think, just overall, with this attacking front, and how DeMeco wants us, how [defensive coordinator] (Matt) Burke wants us, I think we can do a lot of things. Sky’s the limit, for sure.”
The Texans gave up the most rushing yards per game last year at 170.2. Houston also gave up the fourth-most yards per carry at 5.1.