DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH?
Don't be surprised when this talented rookie back makes an impact for the Texans
Jun 17, 2020, 2:51 pm
Photo via: OleMissFootball/Facebook
In 2009, the Houston Texans signed Arian Foster as an undrafted free agent from the University of Tennessee. After he appeared in six games as a rookie, Foster went on to become a four-time Pro-Bowler and a three-time member of the NFL All-Pro team. By the end of his seven-year tenure in Houston, he held the franchise record as the all-time leader in yards (6,472) and rushing touchdowns (54) — which still stands today.
As one of the greatest players in team history, the Texans found a hidden gem in Foster as he became one of the most dynamic running backs of the 2010s. Eleven years later, Houston has another opportunity to strike gold once again with the signing of undrafted free agent, Scottie Phillips.
Unlike most players in his situation, Phillips has a realistic opportunity to not only make the Texans' 54-man roster but also earn playing time due to the uncertainties surrounding Houston's backfield.
David Johnson and Duke Johnson will undoubtedly split the majority number of touches in 2020, but neither of the two are dependable to fill the void as the Texans' every-down back. Throughout their careers, Duke has continuously flourished as a team's dual-threat second option, while David has yet to prove he can return to his 2016 All-Pro form.
Any one of the "Johnson Brothers" have the morale to take the helms as Houston's primary running back, but if one falls short of expectations, it will enable an opportunity for Phillips to showcase his merit as a professional halfback in the NFL.
Placed in the 21st percentile of best running back coming into the 2020 NFL Draft, Maurice Jones-Drew of NFL.com stated,"Phillips was inconsistent at Ole Miss, but showed a lot of promise when he was on. When he flashed, the 5-8, 209-pounder showed great burst, was explosive, and was a sure-fire threat out of the backfield."
The reality that the Texans were able to sign Phillips following the draft was a steal within itself. Several mock drafts had the 5-foot-8 running back from Ole Miss projected as an early-sixth to late-seven round draftee. He currently possesses all the elements of a future franchise halfback, given his ability to breakdown defenders when looking for open gaps in an attempt to make a play downfield. If presented with the chance to capitalize on his skill set, Phillips has the opportunity to become the Texans' primary backup for 2020 — as well as the team's No. 1 option in the near future.
In the video clip above, Phillips' 26-yard rushing touchdown is a prime example of what the Texans can expect from the Mississippi native.
On second-and-2, Phillips was able to maneuver through the smallest gap and instantly switched into second gear to record what could have been a 20-yard gain. However, once warped by a pair of defensive backs, Phillips' strength to power through contact added six more yards to the play — which resulted in a touchdown for the Rebels. His ability to record extra yardage after contact is Phillips' best aspect as a running back.
Based on his stature, Phillips is not the ideal back to insert as a receiver, but he can provide another dependable target for Deshaun Watson coming out of the backfield.
In the video clip above, Phillips' best "sure hands" impression gave way to a 21-yard touchdown reception from quarterback John Plumlee on a third-and-13 down. It was his lone receiving touchdown of the season after recording 77 reception yards on eight catches in 2019.
If not for sharing snaps with a five-star recruit (Jerrion Ealy) amid his senior season, Phillips' stock would have been much higher entering the draft.
Fast. Short. And stocky. The best current player to compare Phillips to is Baltimore Ravens star, Mark Ingram. Despite being slightly below the average height for an NFL running back (5'11), Ingram (5'9) has put together a substantial nine-year career as a three-time Pro-Bowler with 7,025 rushing yards.
In two seasons with the Rebels, Phillips recorded a combined 1,470 rushing yards on 5.2 yards per attempt and 17 touchdowns in 20 games played. Ironically, the best game of his collegiate career took place at NRG Stadium, where he exploded for 204 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries — during Ole Miss' 47-27 victory over Texas Tech in 2018. During his two year stint at Jones County Junior College, Phillips became a top JUCO running back recording 2,282 rushing yards with 27 trips to the end zone.
It’s May 1, and the Astros are turning heads—but not for the reasons anyone expected. Their resurgence, driven not by stars like Yordan Alvarez or Christian Walker, but by a cast of less-heralded names, is writing a strange and telling early-season story.
Christian Walker, brought in to add middle-of-the-order thump, has yet to resemble the feared hitter he was in Arizona. Forget the narrative of a slow starter—he’s never looked like this in April. Through March and April of 2025, he’s slashing a worrying .196/.277/.355 with a .632 OPS. Compare that to the same stretch in 2024, when he posted a .283 average, .496 slug, and a robust .890 OPS, and it becomes clear: this is something more than rust. Even in 2023, his April numbers (.248/.714 OPS) looked steadier.
What’s more troubling than the overall dip is when it’s happening. Walker is faltering in the biggest moments. With runners in scoring position, he’s hitting just .143 over 33 plate appearances, including 15 strikeouts. The struggles get even more glaring with two outs—.125 average, .188 slugging, and a .451 OPS in 19 such plate appearances. In “late and close” situations, when the pressure’s highest, he’s practically disappeared: 1-for-18 with a .056 average and a .167 OPS.
His patience has waned (only 9 walks so far, compared to 20 by this time last year), and for now, his presence in the lineup feels more like a placeholder than a pillar.
The contrast couldn’t be clearer when you look at José Altuve—long the engine of this franchise—who, in 2024, delivered in the moments Walker is now missing. With two outs and runners in scoring position, Altuve hit .275 with an .888 OPS. In late and close situations, he thrived with a .314 average and .854 OPS. That kind of situational excellence is missing from this 2025 squad—but someone else may yet step into that role.
And yet—the Astros are winning. Not because of Walker, but in spite of him.
Houston’s offense, in general, hasn’t lit up the leaderboard. Their team OPS ranks 23rd (.667), their slugging 25th (.357), and they sit just 22nd in runs scored (117). They’re 26th in doubles, a rare place for a team built on gap-to-gap damage.
But where there’s been light, it hasn’t come from the usual spots. Jeremy Peña, often overshadowed in a lineup full of stars, now boasts the team’s highest OPS at .791 (Isaac Paredes is second in OPS) and is flourishing in his new role as the leadoff hitter. Peña’s balance of speed, contact, aggression, and timely power has given Houston a surprising tone-setter at the top.
Even more surprising: four Astros currently have more home runs than Yordan Alvarez.
And then there’s the pitching—Houston’s anchor. The rotation and bullpen have been elite, ranking 5th in ERA (3.23), 1st in WHIP (1.08), and 4th in batting average against (.212). In a season where offense is lagging and clutch hits are rare, the arms have made all the difference.
For now, it’s the unexpected contributors keeping Houston afloat. Peña’s emergence. A rock-solid pitching staff. Role players stepping up in quiet but crucial ways. They’re not dominating, but they’re grinding—and in a sluggish AL West, that may be enough.
Walker still has time to find his swing. He showed some signs of life against Toronto and Detroit. If he does, the Astros could become dangerous. If he doesn’t, the turnaround we’re witnessing will be credited to a new cast of unlikely faces. And maybe, that’s the story that needed to be written.
We have so much more to discuss. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
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