HOUSTON -- The plan is top secret.

The last time anyone asked the Houston Texans’ J.J. Watt about when he lines up where and why, he answered with a chuckle -- as if he'd ever share that information. His versatility and ability to adapt is a big part of why Watt is a two-time defensive player of the year, likely headed to his third award. That versatility has also allowed different coaches to use Watt differently.

This year, Watt has played 89 percent of his snaps at defensive end, according to ESPN Stats & Information, leaving him some space to freelance on his assignments within the Texans' scheme. Last season, which was Romeo Crennel's first as his defensive coordinator, Watt played 99 percent of his snaps at defensive end.

"J.J.'s going to have a lot more space to do what he wants to do [when he lines up] on the outside," defensive end Jared Crick said.

Former Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips found another way to take advantage of Watt's versatility. He would line Watt up all over the defense -- at end, at tackle, at linebacker, as a stand-up tackle.

Watt played inside much more often then. In his rookie season of 2011, he played inside on 27 percent of his snaps. During his first defensive player of the year season, that increased to 30 percent, and Watt still led the league in sacks.

Some wondered if Crennel's system would attempt to force Watt into a more traditional role, but Crennel is too smart for that. He also has experience with coaching a great pass-rusher who moved around a lot -- Lawrence Taylor, the last defensive player to win the league's MVP award.

Freelancing has been a much bigger part of Watt's game under Crennel.

"If they understand the system and where they're supposed to be, what area they're supposed to cover, then you can give him a little leeway to get to that area," Crennel said. "The thing that you don't want is you don't want everybody having a lot of leeway, which opens up big holes in the defense. I think also the ability of the player makes a difference in how much leeway he gets."

There's been an evolution when it comes to how much he freelanced even within just the 2015 season. The Texans defense became a bit more structured later in the year, requiring Watt to stay put more often. Still, there's plenty of opportunity for Watt to make his own way within the scheme.

When Watt follows an offense's weakness, it's up to Crick to cover for him and make sure the defensive plan still works. That's a chemistry the two of them have developed since Crick became a starter in 2013. They've come to the point now where the two of them don't have to say much out loud at all.

While the Texans generally planted Watt at left defensive end when he was healthy this season, his versatility became especially important after he broke his left hand.

Before suffering that injury Dec. 9, the Texans had Watt line up in linebacker positions for only 2 percent of his snaps. During the three games in which Watt wore a clubbed cast on his left hand, he lined up at linebacker 20 percent of the time. He was only down as a defensive end on 70 percent of his snaps.

It was an adjustment, but one he's not having to make anymore now that the cast is gone.