The Houston Texans could have sat tight, re-signed their own, and ran back a young team hoping to exceed expectations once again.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud put Houston back on the map with an electric rookie season that threw his name in the record books and conversations that include the word “elite.” The correct course of action is doubling down on his accomplishments and pairing potential development with a supporting cast capable of complementing it, not relying on it.
On the second day of the league’s legal tampering period, Texans general manager Nick Caserio did just that.
Tuesday saw Houston agree to terms with former Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Danielle Hunter. The deal, per Adam Schefter, will be for two years, worth $49 million – $48 million of which is guaranteed.
That’s a lot of guaranteed money for an edge rusher with a somewhat concerning medical history and a quickly approaching 30th birthday. And yet, the Texans were more than right to do so.
Pairing Hunter, a four-time Pro Bowler who has only ever produced, with a star talent like edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. is revelatory of their intentions. Houston is going big-game hunting because it’s chasing the big game in February.
Hunter had 16.5 sacks this past season, his fifth time hitting double-digit sacks. Per Pro Football Focus, Hunter ranked ninth among qualified edge rushers in pass-rush win rate on true pass sets. He was also Minnesota’s highest-graded defensive player.
This was accomplished while being double-teamed at an above-average rate, a number that’s bound to fall in 2024. Hunter is a star, but he may not be the best edge rusher on his new team.
Anderson was largely viewed as the best non-quarterback in his draft class and looked the part as a rookie, even if the sacks (seven) didn’t follow as quickly as some had hoped. The Texans have a great argument for the best pass-rushing duo in the conference, a necessity in taking down the gauntlet of elite quarterbacks the AFC has to offer.
Teams scheme around lethal edge rushers, and having two is a nightmare for opposing coordinators. Doing so while also boasting defensive linemen like Denico Autry, Maliek Collins, and Foley Fatukasi only makes them more dangerous.
Houston lost its most productive pass rusher from last season, Jonathan Greenard, to the Vikings. Less than two days later the unit looks even better. The Texans have the cap space to acquire high-level talents around their rookie quarterback, and now they’re making good on the promise he presents.
Free agency is often fool’s gold, but acquiring an incredible player at an increasingly important position – without long-term risks – is as calculated as it is exciting for the Houston faithful.
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