The weakness of the Houston Texans’ defense from last season was their pass defense. They allowed 382 receptions (12th-most), 565 attempts (20th-most), and 3,979 passing yards (10th-most) in 2023.
One of the positions, in particular, that struggled for the majority of the season was the nickel position. Tavierre Thomas, who played in nine games and started five, struggled and battled a broken bone in his hand and a hamstring injury that ended his season. He allowed 26 receptions on 33 targets for 276 yards, one touchdown, and a 111.6 passer rating.
Desmond King filled in for Thomas near the end of the season and had a solid performance, allowing 20 receptions on 24 targets for 186 yards and a 99.0 passer rating.
The team bolstered their nickel position by signing a former starter.
The Houston Texans signed a cornerback to a contract
According to Aaron Wilson, Houston signed Myles Bryant to a contract.
Here’s a review of his NFL career, and the importance of his signing.
Bryant started his NFL career with the New England Patriots
Bryant went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, and New England signed him as an undrafted free agent.
New England released Bryant during the final round of roster cuts in his rookie season. He signed to their practice squad the next day and got promoted to the active roster on September 16. He played in nine games, allowing six receptions on 11 targets for 65 yards, one touchdown, and a 64.6 passer rating while recording 12 tackles, one interception, and one pass deflection.
New England released Bryant during the final round of roster cuts in his second season. He signed to their practice squad and got promoted to the active roster on October 19. He played in 12 games, starting twice, allowing 30 receptions on 42 targets for 362 yards and an 87.6 passer rating while recording 41 tackles, one interception, and three pass deflections.
Bryant played in 17 games in his third season, starting six, allowing 47 receptions on 70 targets for 509 yards, four touchdowns, and a 101.4 passer rating while recording 70 tackles, one interception, and six pass deflections.
Bryant played in 17 games in his fourth season, starting nine, allowing 62 receptions on 82 targets for 614 yards, three touchdowns, and a 103.4 passer rating while recording 77 tackles, one interception, and seven pass deflections.
There are two reasons why this signing is important.
Reason 1
The first reason is that Houston is bringing depth to the cornerback position by filling their roster with cornerbacks who have starting experience. They signed Jeff Okudah (38 career games and 31 starts), Mike Ford (77 career games and ten starts), C.J. Henderson (49 career games and 32 starts), Myles Bryant (55 career games and 17 starts), and re-signed Desmond King (105 career games and 56 starts).
The defense will have a backup plan in case of an emergency.
Reason 2
The second reason is that Bryant will likely compete with King for the starting nickel position next season.
Will Bryant beat out King for the starting spot in 2024?
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