DJ Swearinger has said that he has mastered the Houston Texans' defense ahead of his first season in the NFL.

The safety, who was picked in the second-round of this year's Draft, has featured in all four of the Texans' pre-season games.

The 21-year-old told the team's website: "I think I have played a lot of snaps. But it is great for me to get a lot of reps. The more reps, the more experience. It is good for me.

"I think I have mastered it to a tee. When we are playing dime and I'm in at free safety, I know what the d-line is doing, the linebackers and the secondary. And that is one of my goals. To know what the entire defense is doing, not just myself. I think playing multiple positions has helped me a lot.

"As a safety, you have to deliver that punch every time you come down on the run. Or if a receiver is coming across the middle you have to deliver that punch. It sends a message to the other team, and gets the energy going with your own team. It is good to be able to lay a hit."

Swearinger has made nine tackles during the pre-season.