The NFL Network show The Top 100 Players of 2018 is my favorite show on television. It's my favorite show that NFL Films has ever done, really. I don't miss an episode. I love to see where the players rank the Texans and then how they tell every player's story. One other aspect important to me about the show is where the players rank the Texans' opponents, especially those in the division.
The show has unveiled half the list, players 51-100. The only Texan to be revealed is one that was regularly in the top ten before injuries struck the past two seasons - J.J. Watt at No. 84. I've said that I think four current Texans have yet to be revealed - DeAndre Hopkins, Jadeveon Clowney, Deshaun Watson and Tyrann Mathieu. There aren't many teams that would be able to boast of that many players remaining in the top 50.
Thus far, in the division, the Colts haven't had a player revealed, but T.Y. Hilton will be in the top 50, I'd imagine.
Tennessee
66 Jurrell Casey
72 Delanie Walker
78 Taylor Lewan
80 Kevin Byard
Jaguars
58 Leonard Fournette
67 Telvin Smith
88 Yannick Ngakoue
I don't believe the Titans will have any more players revealed, perhaps quarterback Marcus Mariota, but it's a long shot given the quarterbacks already revealed. The Jaguars should have cornerbacks A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey and defensive lineman Calais Campbell.
Of the top 100 already reveald, the Texans will face those division foes and the following:
97 Carlos Hyde, Running Back, Browns
96 Malcolm Jenkins, Safety, Eagles
95 Lane Johnson, Tackle, Eagles
92 Landon Collins, Safety, Giants
86 Chris Harris, Cornerback, Broncos
77 Odell Beckham, Jr., Wide Receiver, Giants
74 Cameron Wake, Defensive End, Dolphins
71 Zack Martin, Guard, Cowboys
69 Fletcher Cox, Defensive Tackle, Eagles
68 Zach Ertz, Tight End, Eagles
62 Micah Hyde, Safety, Bills
57 Trent Williams, Offensive Tackle, Redskins
54 Ezekiel Elliott, Running Back, Cowboys
52 Jarvis Landry, Wide Receiver, Browns
51 Case Keenum, Quarterback, Broncos
In addition to AFC South foes HIlton, Ramsey, Bouye and Campbell in the division, I'd project the following opponents in the Top 50 on the Texans 2018 schedule.
Tom Brady, Quarterback, Patriots
Rob Gronkowski, Tight End, Patriots
Dak Prescott, Quarterback, Cowboys (50/50 on this one)
Tyron Smith, Offensive Tackle, Cowboys
Demarcus Lawrence, Defensive End, Cowboys
Shady McCoy, Running Back, Bills
Carson Wentz, Quarterback, Eagles
Von Miller, Outside Linebacker, Broncos
Ryan Kerrigan, Outside Linebacker, Redskins
That's a daunting list, but it's nowhere near as daunting as the last two years have been, seemingly. The next ten are revealed on Monday 41-50 and I'm expecting at least one Texan to be revealed, so tune in with me and check it out.
Check out some of the best photos of DeAndre Hopkins during his Pro Bowl season in 2017.