NFL.com Lists This Texans Star As Top 5 At His Position
Despite the Texans continual struggles, is this player enough of a bright spot to give fans hope for the future?
While the Texans’ 23-20 loss to the Bears was very discouraging for Houston fans. There were a few bright spots. CB Derek Stingley Jr. didn’t allow a catch, DE Jerry Hughes had his second two sack game as a Texan, RB Dameon Pierce got his first career touchdown, and LT Laremy Tunsil dominated. However none were as bright as rookie safety Jalen Pitre’s performance.
In just the third game of his career. Pitre picked off Justin Fields twice, sacked him once, deflected the ball twice, and had two tackles for loss and eight total tackles. NFL.coms Keegan Abdoo, Mike Band and Cole Jacobson showed serious faith in the rookie, by listing him as the fourth best safety in the NFL so far this season. However, that’s not close to the end for praises towards Pitre. NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger called it “the best rookie performance I’ve seen of any player so far.” And, Pitre currently sits at number four on CBS’ rookie power rankings, as the only player not taken in the first round in their top 7. I couldn’t agree more, Pitre has proven that he has superstar potential. Just three games into his NFL career, as a second round rookie, Jalen Pitre has started all three games, and played every defensive snap possible. That vote of confidence in a rookie taken at pick 37 speaks volumes. Especially when you consider that it’s coming from Lovie Smith. A guy who’s coached in the NFL for twenty years, is a former coach of the year, and has made a super bowl appearance.
Many people wondered why Pitre was available in the second round when there was so much immediate hype around him, it felt almost too good to be true. While Pitre was dominant last year with Baylor, with two interceptions, three and a half sacks, and a whopping eighteen and a half tackles for loss. He fell in the draft due to many scouts characterizing him as an undersized safety fit to play linebacker. However size hasn’t been an issue as Pitre has thrived both inside and outside the box.
While many Texans fans were understandably upset with the departure of safety Justin Reid, and the Texans passing on coveted safety prospect Kyle Hamilton in the 2022 draft. It looks like Nick Caserio has found someone even better. Look out for Jalen Pitre to be a dominant safety in the NFL for years to come.
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