Just two years after being billed as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Houston Texans outside linebacker Brooks Reed has lost his place in the defense's pecking order.
Now that No. 1 overall draft pickJadeveon Clowney is earmarked for the Willie McGinest role in Romeo Crennel's defense, Reed is preparing for a move to inside linebacker alongside Brian Cushing.
"Obviously, we drafted some talent and the coaches will adapt to switching the players as need be," Reed said Monday, via the team's official website. "From the beginning, I've been preparing to play inside 'backer if I had to, so I'm ready if I do. I'll play outside if they need me to play outside."
The switch should enable the Texans to get better production from both positions. The role of Cushing's sidekick has been a trouble spot since the defense moved to a 3-4 scheme a couple of years ago. If Clowney's production comes anywhere close to matching the pre-draft hype, he and Whitney Mercilus will pose a formidable edge-rushing tandem.
Throw in the game's dominant defender in J.J. Watt, a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback in Johnathan Joseph and a promising young safety in D.J. Swearinger, and Crennel has plenty of talent with which to work in his first season on the Texans job.
*The "Around The League Podcast" wrapped up the draft by picking our winners and losers. *
