The Houston Texans' defense under first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans showed flashes of brilliance in 2023.While they finished a respectable 14th in total defense (330.7 yards per
Georgi Romanov Jersey game allowed), their performance was uneven. The secondary struggled, allowing the 23rd-most pa sing yards per game (234.1). But the defensive line was a force, ranking sixth in the league against the run (96.6 yards per game).Leading the charge up front was Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. lived up to the hype with seven sacks, 45 tackles, and 10 tackles for lo s. Alongside him in 2023 was veteran Johnathan Greenard, who racked up 12.5 sacks, 52 tackles, and 15 tackles for lo s. Greenard's departure in free agency for the Vikings left a void, but the Texans addre sed it by acquiring the talented Danielle Hunter from the Minnesota Vikings.TEXANS 2024 SEASON:|||Now, with the dust settled on the offseason, has released the annual edge defender rankings
Jimmy Schuldt Jersey where both Anderson Jr. and Hunter landed in to the top-20.Houston Texans boast top-20 edge rushing duo according to PFFThe veteran Hunter landed at a respectable No. 16, while Anderson Jr. checked in at No. 20 onSikkema's PFF list.Here's what Sikkema had to say about new Hunter:Hunter quietly recorded double-digit sacks in each of the
Brandon Coe Jersey past two seasons with nearly identical 80.1 and 79.1 pa s-rush grades and 85 and 84 pre sure totals, respectively.With Hunter now in Houston, well see if he can continue to perform at a high-level opposite.Sikkema also went on to include this about Anderson Jr.:Anderson was very solid in his rookie campaign. He recorded a 77.4 run-defense grade and a 76.6 pa s-rush grade while racking up 68 quarterback pre sures and posting a 16.4% pa s-rush win rate. Another step forward in either category could get him into the top 15 or maybe even the top 10 of this list for 2025.MORE:This might raise eyebrows for some fans considering both players had stellar seasons in 2023. However, it's important to remember PFF's rankings are based on a comprehensive analysis that goes beyond just sacks. Factors like run defense, pre sures, and overall impact on the game are all considered. The rest of the list included some reigning and former Defensive Players of the Year, and some who earned a lot of votes for the award Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt and Micah Parsons.Looking ahead, both Hunter and Anderson Jr. have the potential
Yaroslav Askarov Jersey . Ryans' aggre sive defensive scheme emphasizes getting after the quarterback, and with a healthy Hunter and a year of experience under his belt, Anderson Jr. could take his game to the next level.MORE:Texans fans shouldn't overlook another key piece of the edge-rushing puzzle: Denico Autry. While he didn't make PFF's top 32, his stellar season with the Tenne see Titans adds valuable depth and versatility to the Texans' defensive line. Autry can line up on the edge or shift inside, creating matchup nightmares for opposing offenses.With a potent combination of proven talent and exciting young players, the Houston Texans' edge rushing unit could be one of the best in the NFL. Their performance this
Owen Nolan Jersey season will be a key factor in the Texans' quest for continued succe s.
