Best Non-QBs in Texans History? Chris Simms Ranks Top 5
Former NFL quarterback and current NBC analyst Chris Simms recently ranked the five best non-quarterback players each team has employed this century. Since the Houston Texans franchise didn't begin play until the 2002 season, this also doubled as a countdown of the best non-QB players in team history.
The five players that Simms and co-host Ahmed Fareed settled on were as follows:
- Wide Receiver Andre Johnson: The No. 3 overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, Johnson made seven Pro Bowls and was a First-Team All-Pro twice in 12 seasons with the Texans. With 14,185 career receiving yards, Johnson figures to be elected to the Hall of Fame eventually.
- Left Tackle Duane Brown: In parts of 10 seasons with the Texans, Brown was a four-time Pro Bowler and was selected once as a First-Team All-Pro. The former first-round pick is widely considered to be the greatest offensive lineman in the franchise's brief history.
- Running Back Arian Foster: Despite going undrafted, Foster rushed for 6,472 yards and 54 touchdowns in seven seasons in Houston. He was a First-Team All-Pro in 2010, and finished behind quarterbacks Tom Brady and Michael Vick that year in Offensive Player of the Year Award voting.
- Defensive End J.J. Watt: Viewed by most as the greatest overall player to ever suit up for the Texans, Watt racked up 101 sacks in 10 seasons in Houston, also winning Defensive Player of the Year on three occasions. A five-time First-Team All-Pro, Watt even finished runner-up to quarterback Aaron Rodgers in NFL MVP voting in 2014, a remarkable accomplishment for a defensive player. The recently-retired Watt is a lock to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
- Wide Receiver DeAndre Hopkins: With some of the greatest hands in NFL history, Hopkins was selected as a First-Team All-Pro three times in seven seasons with the Texans. Hopkins accumulated 632 receptions and 8,602 yards during his time in Houston.
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Other names considered for this list were current left tackle Laremy Tunsil, along with former linebackers DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing. Ryans -- who played for the Texans from 2006-2011 -- is currently preparing for his first season as the team's head coach.
While it would be shocking if anyone other than Watt ultimately wins, you can vote for the best player in Texans history here.
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