NFL What-Ifs: Jadeveon Clowney Stays Healthy In 2015

Nov 16, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) rushes against Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas (73) during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Texans won 23-7. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Part of any seasons is fans and experts asking the what-if question. What if this player does this or that team does that? What will the end results likely end up being? It’s an interesting game to play that can have both short and long-term impact.

So to that end, what will happen if former 1st overall draft pick Jadeveon Clowney rebounds from his injury-marred rookie season to play up to his potential in 2015?

Answer: Houston Texans boast the #1 defense in the league

There are a few reasons to believe this is true. First of all, don’t forget the Houston Texans finished with the 7th best defense in the NFL in points allowed and ranked a decent 16th overall. That ranking would’ve been higher if their offense had any sort of consistency, but ongoing problems at quarterback made it impossible.

Next of course is J.J. Watt. Any unit that has the best defensive player in football on it has a far easier time playing great defense than those that don’t. He is an absolute monster who finished with 20.5 sacks for the second time in three seasons and claimed his second Defensive Player of the Year award.

Lastly there are the improvements in the secondary with the retention of Kareem Jackson and the arrivals of Rahim Moore and Kevin Johnson. Barring injury the pass coverage should see marked improvement in Houston. That means if the Texans can somehow rev up their pass rush outside of Watt, it could prove devastating for opponents.

Thus it comes back around to Clowney.

Few players have come into the NFL with more hype and expectations than the South Carolina product. He is that physically gifted. Unfortunately his rookie year lasted just four games in which he made seven tackles before an ailing knee injury forced him out for the season.

Texans brass insist things have cleared up since then and he’s on track to being completely healthy for the first time since he was in college. If that’s true, then it’s only a matter of time before his mental speed for the game catches up to that ridiculous ability he has. Him and Watt paired together could form the most electric and lethal pass rushing combination seen in 10-20 years.

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