The Houston Texans are not the first NFL franchise to hail from this part of Texas, though the AFC South franchise has already managed to carve out its own lineage as a legitimate presence on an annual basis. With the Texans' inaugural season coming back in 2002, it hasn't even been two full decades for this organization while Houston has still encountered more than a few impressive regular season efforts in addition to a respectable amount of success generally speaking.
Even though the Texans have yet to win a Super Bowl or advance to an AFC Championship Game, Houston has reached the postseason as a result of six of the last nine seasons en route to capturing six AFC South titles during that same span. Currently sporting a two-year streak of postseason appearances, the Texans organization wouldn't be where it is today without some talented players that have passed through the doors in Houston.
While the Texans certainly have more than a few superstars that are often linked to this franchise, there have also been some players that contributed in a major way despite the fact that they typically receive significantly less recognition than the top-tier players that so frequently remain in the spotlight. Without the role players, veteran leaders and pleasant surprises that Houston has employed over the course of the last 18 years, the Texans wouldn't be were they are today—nor would those superstars that often receive all the praise have as much success attached to their respective records.
5. Ed Reed (2013)
Now a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime NFL safety and Baltimore Ravens legend Ed Reed spent just one season away from the AFC powerhouse before hanging up his cleats for good in 2013. Splitting that final campaign between the New York Jets and Houston Texans, the latter was the first team other than the Ravens that Reed would suit up for atop the highest level.
Even though his time in Houston was brief, it is hard to leave a player of this caliber off of any list surrounding the talent that has passed through a specific NFL franchise. A nine-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro selection, a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl champion, Reed ultimately spent seven games and five starts in Houston before moving on to the Jets. During that same span, Reed tallied 16 total tackles and zero interceptions.
4. Ryan Fitzpatrick (2014)
With journeyman NFL quarterback and current Miami Dolphins signal-caller Ryan Fitzpatrick seemingly suiting up for every team in the league at this point in his career, the Houston Texans are no exception to the rule. “Fitzmagic” spent the 2014 campaign as the Texans' primary quarterback and went on to appear in 14 regular-season games for the franchise while making 12 starts.
In 2014, his lone go-round in Houston, Fitzpatrick threw for just shy of 2,500 yards to coincide with his 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Over the course of his 12 starts that season, the Texans produced an even 6-6 record. In addition to playing for the Texans, the veteran QB has also suited up for the St. Louis Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
3. Arian Foster (2009-15)
Although he is no doubt one of the best players in the history of the Houston Texans franchise, former NFL running back Arian Foster is regularly forgotten about and under-appreciated altogether, whether the AFC South franchise is involved or not.
One of the best running backs in the NFL for a few years, Foster somewhat abruptly retired, which may have caused him to find himself on the outside looking in at some of the conversations in which he should probably be discussed with much higher regard. Spending seven of his seven NFL seasons with the Texans, with his career coming to an end as a member of the Miami Dolphins, the longtime Houston standout was a four-time Pro Bowler and a one-time All-Pro selection between 2009 and 2015. Foster registered four full campaigns for the Texans while rushing for more than 1,000 yards as a result of each of those years. He scored more than 15 rushing touchdowns for the AFC South club not once but twice with his best single-season effort coming in 2010 to the tune of 1,616 yards and 16 scores via the ground game.
It is worth noting, though, that three of Foster's last four seasons in the league were marred by significant injuries.
2. D.J. Swearinger (2013-14)
Now known as an enforcer that knows how to tackle an opponent with more than a little tenacity, it is sometimes forgotten that veteran NFL defensive back D.J. Swearinger originally got his start as a member of the Houston Texans back in 2013. Spending the first two seasons of his professional tenure in Houston, Swearinger was selected by the Texans in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of South Carolina.
He appeared in all 32 regular-season games with 22 starts across his two go-rounds in Houston while Swearinger notched three interceptions, 10 pass defenses, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one sack and 144 total tackles.
Swearinger has since gone on to spend time with the Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints while always finding his way onto a NFL roster by the time the regular season starts.
1. Nate Washington (2015)
Known mostly for his time as a member of both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans, some often forget that veteran NFL wide receiver Nate Washington also suited up for the Houston Texans as a result of the 2015 season. With that same season serving as his last atop the highest level, Washington wrapped up his NFL playing career by appearing in 14 regular-season games for the Texans in addition to starting all 14 of those contests.
A two-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers and a veteran leader for an up-and-coming Titans team before ultimately heading to Houston, Washington posted 47 receptions, 658 yards and four touchdowns on 94 targets for the Texans in 2015.
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