Jadeveon Clowney

Texans praise Jadeveon Clowney and Bernardrick McKinney

The Houston Texans are "proud of" outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney and had nothing but praise for inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney, general manager Rick Smith said.

What It Means:

"I think we saw glimpses of what [Clowney] can be. I think he's got a long way to go. If he continues to stay healthy, we get J.J. [Watt] back, and get more improvement...I think we can be even better," Smith said. Clowney did undergo a knee scope after the season, but he should be ready for the offseason program. "[McKinney] has wonderful physical attributes: size, speed, height," Smith said. "He's a tremendous football player. Great instincts, you saw him coming into himself. Very productive year, he's got another level to reach as well."

McKinney played over 90 percent of the defensive snaps as a sophomore, recording 129 tackles and five sacks. Clowney accrued 52 tackles and six sacks as well. The Texans' defense ranked fourth in opponent-adjusted Defensive Net Expected Points per play in 2016.