4 days ago
Texans newcomer C.J. Gardner-Johnson named top 15 safety for 2025 season
Texans newcomer C.J. Gardner-Johnson named top 15 safety for 2025 season
C.J. Gardner-Johnson might be new to the Houston Texans, but he's well-versed in seeing his name on Pro Football Focus' list among safeties.
Gardner-Johnson, who was acquired by the Texans earlier this offseason from the Philadelphia Eagles, came in at No. 13 on PFF's top 32 safeties list. Despite being a newcomer in H-Town, his ability to make plays on the football and force incompletions will come in handy for DeMeco Ryans' defense this fall.
"Gardner-Johnson put together the best season of his career in 2024 — and not just because he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy with the Eagles," PFF's Zoltán Buday wrote. "His 1,170 snaps were a career high, as was his 77.0 PFF overall grade that ranked 14th among safeties. The now-Texan's 85.7 PFF coverage grade last season placed sixth among 96 qualifying safeties."
Acquired in exchange for offensive lineman Kenyon Green and a Day 3 pick, Gardner-Johnson is supposed to be the missing piece to a secondary that ranked top 10 in takeaways and coverage last season. He's been consistent in coverage, totaling 11 interceptions during his last two stints with the Eagles.
While the Texans should feel content at the cornerback position after an All-Pro season from Derek Stingley Jr., they need stability at safety. Rookie Calen Bullock still has room to improve and Jimmie Ward has dealt with two season-ending injuries since his arrival in 2023.
The Texans also need a culture-changer in the locker room to promote that 'SWARM' mentality Ryans preaches. In a brief time, Gardner-Johnson has carried that mantle with grace.
"He's one hell of a ball player," cornerback Kamari Lassiter said on Tuesday following OTAs. "He really understands the game. He's played for a long time and he comes with his own energy. He just comes with his own passion and it affects the players around him. You can see, just watching this film, how his energy and how he talks and how he plays the game, it affects people around him, whether it's on the opposite side of the ball or whether it's on his side of the ball.'
The Texans open the season against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 7.
