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Lets Talk Defensive Line

badboy

Hall of Fame
Jacob Martin signing today. There is going to be some tough cuts in camp on the DL. I am encouraged by this unit.

Starting base DL:

DE: Will Anderson
DT: Maliek Collins
DT: Sheldon Rankins
DE: Jonathan Greenard (Hughes probably listed as starter).

Then depth at DE with Hughes/Horton. I expect Hughes/Greenard to rotate quite a bit. Add in the competition for designated pass rusher between Martin, Winovich and Rivers. One of them will get paid on their next contract after having a career year in DeMeco’s defense.

DT is looking like quality depth with Ridgeway and Roy Lopez. Hinish and Booker are currently on the outside looking in… One or both end up on PS.

I didn’t care for Lopez as a full time starter but I think he’s a quality 3rd/4th DT in a rotation. I expect the quality of his play to improve sitting behind a bonafide solid starting NFL DT in Rankins and playing less snaps. He has been a good value find by Caserio.

This is a formidable DL unit that is deep. I think the pieces are in place to generate a consistent four man pass rush this season.
I want to see some five man rush plays with an occasional safety blitz, also .
 

TheRealJoker

Hall of Fame
I want to see some five man rush plays with an occasional safety blitz, also .
Harris and Pitre both have that skill set. But I wouldn’t anticipate it happening often. Ryans has been below league average in running blitzes. Much easier to beat the league’s best QBs with a four man rush and have more people in coverage. One reason Lou Anarumo has been able to give Mahomes and Josh Allen problems with Cincinnati’s defense.



“Since Wilks took over, Carolina blitzed 33 percent of the time, which was the sixth-highest rate in the NFL. DeMeco blitzed 23 percent of the time in 2022, which was slightly below league average, coming in at 18th.”
 

Texansphan

Football connoisseur
“Since Wilks took over, Carolina blitzed 33 percent of the time, which was the sixth-highest rate in the NFL. DeMeco blitzed 23 percent of the time in 2022, which was slightly below league average, coming in at 18th.”
That surprises me - I would have figured him blitzing heaps with the line he had there.
 

powda

The bridge between stupid and useless is short.
I really like the Martin addition. I know he's just a situational pass rusher ,but lining him out w9 should excentuate his speed. Especially coupled with a cross stunt or blitz inside the tackle.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
I don't expect him to here either. A good QB will pick apart a team that blitzes too much and the Texans face a lot of very good QBs this year
Who are the very good QB's compared to last yrs. QB's they faced?
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Who said anything about comparing to last year?
You said they are facing very good QB's this yr. I was just wondering how the QB's this yr compare to the QB's they faced last yr?

I know there isn't a Hurts, Mahomes, Herbert on this yrs schedule.
 

TheRealJoker

Hall of Fame

badboy

Hall of Fame
It sounds like Washington is willing to trade Chase Young for cheap. Some of the Houston taking heads seem intrigued about getting him.

He has just never lived up to potential and I know it's because of injury. I would not be against bringing him in on a fat minimum as a free agent but I would not even give a seventh round for him. Well.. after 30 seconds, maybe a 7th.
 

Buckeye Homer

Rookie
Contributor's Club
He has just never lived up to potential and I know it's because of injury. I would not be against bringing him in on a fat minimum as a free agent but I would not even give a seventh round for him. Well.. after 30 seconds, maybe a 7th.
I guess it depends on his physical health. If he's healthy and still at playing weight then he might be a good acquisition. With that said, there's a reason Washington doesn't want him.
 

TheRealJoker

Hall of Fame
It sounds like Washington is willing to trade Chase Young for cheap. Some of the Houston taking heads seem intrigued about getting him.

I’d love to see it but ultimately I think he’s gonna play out his contract in Washington this year and hit free agency. Sure Washington would like to get something for him prior to that but if he’s healthy he’s a big reason they would be winning football games this season and teams tend to keep those types of players around if they are trying to win games.

As it is, nobody will give up the price a healthy Chase Young is worth until he shows he is healthy. And Washington would be foolish to give up a player with his talent at a discount.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Would be great to have but I don’t see Texans giving up the draft capital needed for him after just giving up a haul for Anderson.
I would give up a 3rd that could become a 2nd and a 5th depending on how Hunter performs and if Hunter's willing to re-sign with the Texans.

The thought of a DL of Anderson/Collins/Rankins/Hunter with Ridgeway/Lopez/Hughes/Greenard/Winovich is one of the most talented and deep DL's in the NFL. A huge upgrade from what they've thrown out there the past few yrs. Also the thought of Hughes/Hunter mentoring Anderson really appeals to me as well.
 

TheRealJoker

Hall of Fame
Texans current eight man rotation six games in:

Starting DL

Anderson
Collins
Rankins
Greenard

Backup DL

Hughes
Hinish
Davis
Horton

Adding Myjai Sanders gives the DL that designated pass rusher they haven’t had the first six games. They cut Jacob Martin after camp and didn’t really replace that DPR role, but Sanders should be able to fill the role. He has the fastest 10 yard split of any DE on the roster (1.57 timed at combine). The only DE on the team that broke 1.6 (Anderson at second with a 1.61 10 yard split). That quick get-off should be helpful in applying pressure and will be a new element to add to the DL if he earns playing time.

Hassan Ridgeway, if he returns, will provide a much needed interior upgrade. Ridgeway’s career has been marred by injury, but he’s a starting caliber DT when healthy. IF he can return for any significant amount of time, he will be a massive upgrade over Hinish as top reserve DT and the defense will benefit.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Would be great to have but I don’t see Texans giving up the draft capital needed for him after just giving up a haul for Anderson.
If they only had to give up 2024 2nd then I'm on board, as long as they sign Hunter to an extension. Then add top tier IDL in the draft and FA, then you will begin to look a lot like the 49ers defense.
 

TheRealJoker

Hall of Fame
If they only had to give up 2024 2nd then I'm on board, as long as they sign Hunter to an extension. Then add top tier IDL in the draft and FA, then you will begin to look a lot like the 49ers defense.
Any thoughts on what that capital may be? Reply in draft forum to avoid controversy.
I don’t see the Texans investing premium picks at the deadline for the “big name” acquisitions. Those guys, if traded, are going to be rentals for a team loading up for a run this season. EX: Von Miller to the Rams when “eff them picks” won them a Superbowl.

I could see the Texans doing the standard 6th round for player plus a 7th for someone at the deadline, but I put the chances of that happening around 30-40%. I think the roster is basically set barring further injury now that players are getting healthy after the bye.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
I don’t see the Texans investing premium picks at the deadline for the “big name” acquisitions. Those guys, if traded, are going to be rentals for a team loading up for a run this season. EX: Von Miller to the Rams when “eff them picks” won them a Superbowl.

I could see the Texans doing the standard 6th round for player plus a 7th for someone at the deadline, but I put the chances of that happening around 30-40%. I think the roster is basically set barring further injury now that players are getting healthy after the bye.
This is what is going to happen.if a deal gets made.
 
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