ROOKIE REPORT
Expectations for each player in the Texans 2020 draft class with the season approaching
Sep 2, 2020, 10:39 am
Photo Courtesy of the Houston Texans
Rookie CB John Reid at Texans practice
The first time Bill O'Brien and John Reid crossed paths took place in 2013. The then-head coach of Penn State, O'Brien recruited the junior high schooler to become a member of the Nittany Lions when it was time to begin his collegiate career. Two years later — while draped in blue and white — Reid suited up for Penn State in his first college football game against the Temple Owls. The Nittany Lions fell 27-10 to the Owls at Lincoln Financial Field.
In addition to the loss, Reid's debut looked considerably different from what he envisioned two years earlier. Instead of receiving play calls from the person responsible for his recruitment, Reid played under head coach James Franklin. O'Brien was in the middle of his second tenure as head coach of the Houston Texans during Reid's freshman season in 2015.
Seven years after their first encounter, O'Brien will finally have the opportunity to relish at the talents of Reid. The Texans drafted the 5-foot-8 defensive back in the fourth round (141st) of the 2020 NFL Draft, and Reid has been far from a disappointment.
The 24-year-old cornerback has been one of a few rookie standouts from the Texans training camp — receiving praise from his coaches and teammates. Veteran safety Michael Thomas described Reid to be a "young DB coming in and trying to learn NFL football." New Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver says Reid has put the work in every day with the mindset of earning a spot on Houston's 53-man roster.
With the start of the 2020 season less than 10-days away, Reid should have his roster spot secured. But playing time will be tough to come by for the New Jersey DB. Barring any severe injuries to Gareon Conley, Vernon Hargreaves, Lonnie Johnson Jr, or Bradley Roby, Reid could be buried at the end of the Texans' depth chart.
There is a chance Reid will become a rotational player on special teams, but 2020 will be a year the former Nittany Lion will learn the NFL from afar.
"He's a smart player...he's got a lot to learn...but relative to the rookie class he's done a good job," O'Brien said. "He's learning. He plays hard. He's competitive. He's a very smart guy. He can do some different things. He can help on special teams. He can potentially help us on defense. I think he's a guy that's mature. He's been through a lot, injury wise. He's had to overcome things when he was at Penn State and so, yeah, I think he's doing a good job."
The potential is there. And perhaps Reid will play an important role for the Texans secondary within the next year or so. The same can be said for Ross Blacklock, but the Houston native is entering his first season with the most responsibility among all rookies.
Counting down the days until the regular season! 📅 https://t.co/P49vxTutZ4— Houston Texans (@Houston Texans) 1598652244.0
A prosperous training camp has given both O'Brien and Weaver lofty expectations in their top draft pick. The aspirations in Blacklock's contribution could lead to a situation where the 22-year-old defensive tackle will have his number called quite often — despite not being a starter right out the gates.
Last season, the Texans struggled heavily at stopping the run. They placed in the 24th percentile for allowing the most rushing yards — giving up a total of 1,937 yardages allowed in 2019. The offseason departure of D.J. Reader to Cincinnati could leave Houston's front seven more vulnerable this coming season, but Blacklock could be the solution to help fill in the void.
A versatile and dynamic playmaker. The NFL Draft Network said Blacklock has the upside to become a building block for an NFL defense. And he is in a great situation to succeed. Not only will Blacklock receive valuable time during his rookie season, but he has the opportunity to do so while learning from his football idol, J.J. Watt — Houston's incumbent defensive building block.
"He's [Watt] a workhorse," Blacklock said. "Just being able to play next to him and play with him, it's an honor. I'm trying to learn as much as I can while I'm here and while he's here. One day hopefully I can be in that status, but that's down the road."
Similar to Blacklock, Jonathan Greenard's upside forecasts a bright future in his pro career. But it may take a year or two for the Florida Alumni to start peeking — parallel to Reid.
Prior to a leg injury that has caused him to miss a handful of practices, Greenard's talent as an edge rusher left Weaver stating "the sky is the limit for that kid." However, veteran Whitney Mercilus says the rookie outside linebacker must improve on his fundamentals.
"I think he's great — he's just got to clean up a few things," Mercilus said. "His learning curve is just fine as far as picking up the defense and doing the correct things. Just like all of us, we've got to be able to pick up our stamina just a little bit in practice and all that, just because it's a unique time, and just clean up the fundamental technique things."
Both Isaiah Coutler and Charlie Heck are in the same situation in terms of rookies receiving little to no snaps in 2020. Not because of their talents, but Coutler (WR) and Heck (OT) play two of the Texans' most well-establish positions and have spent the majority of training camp learning from the older veterans. No preseason to showcase their on-field production may result in Coulter and Heck landing on the Texans' practice squad.
With Keke Coutee sidelined with a minor stress fracture in his foot, Coulter could find his way on Houston's 53-man roster making contributions on special teams given his speed. Even then, that might be a long shot after Coulter missed a couple of practices dealing with his own injury.
"The head coach [O'Brien] has said it multiple times, 'this is a tough year for rookies,' and it absolutely is. There's a bunch of cumulative reps that they've missed out on whether it was in the spring or in preseason games, but at some point in the season because of their work ethic, they're all going to contribute and help us here throughout this year." — Weaver.
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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