The Houston Texans had a solid defensive line last season, ranking 6th in rushing, 2nd in run stop win rate, 10th in hurries, 3rd in QB hits, 4th in pressures, 5th in pressure percentage, 13th in sacks, and 3rd in pass rush win rate in 2023.
Houston entered free agency with around $70 million in cap space and had a busy offseason because of the high cap space.
The team signed Foley Fatukasi, Mario Edwards, Tim Settle, Denico Autry, and Danielle Hunter and re-signed a 7-year veteran.
The Houston Texans signed a Super Bowl champion to an extension.
According to Aaron Wilson, Houston re-signed Derek Barnett to a one-year, $2 million extension with a $300,000 signing bonus, and $1 million guaranteed.
Source: #Texans re-signing veteran defensive end Derek Barnett to one-year deal. Barnett recorded 2.5 sacks 19 tackles, eight for losses and 11 quarterback hits in six games and four starts for AFC South champs last season @KPRC2 https://t.co/fDW05h5EwO
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 20, 2024
Derek Barnett started his NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Philadelphia drafted Barnett in the 1st round, 14th overall of the 2017 NFL Draft. Barnett had a solid tenure with Philadelphia, playing in 73 regular season games, starting 45, with 147 tackles, 37 for a loss, 76 QB hits, 21.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and one fumble recovery for a touchdown. He also played in five playoff games, starting twice, with nine tackles, five QB hits, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Barnett played in 15 games in 2017, with 21 tackles, eight for a loss, 16 QB hits, five sacks, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. He also had two tackles, two QB hits, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Barnett played in six games, starting six in 2018, with 16 tackles, five for a loss, 11 QB hits, and 2.5 sacks. He missed the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
Barnett played in 14 games, starting 14 in 2019, with 30 tackles, ten for a loss, 22 QB hits, 6.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He also had three tackles and two QB hits in one playoff game. Philadelphia exercised his 5th-year option for the 2021 season.
Barnett played in 13 games, starting ten in 2020, with 34 tackles, six for a loss, 16 QB hits, and 5.5 sacks.
Barnett played in 16 games, starting 15 in 2021, with 46 tackles, seven for a loss, 11 QB hits, and two sacks. He also had four tackles, one QB hit, and 0.5 sacks in one playoff game. Philadelphia signed him to a 3-year extension during the 2022 offseason.
Barnett suffered an ACL tear in the season opener in 2022.
Barnett played in eight games in 2023, with three tackles and one for a loss. Philadelphia released him.
The Houston Texans claimed Derek Barnett.
Houston claimed Barnett off waivers on November 27. Barnett played in six games, starting four in 2023, with 19 tackles, eight for a loss, 11 QB hits, 2.5 sacks, and one pass deflection. He also had seven tackles, two for a loss, two QB hits, and one sack in two playoff games.
The Houston Texans are loaded with defensive line talent.
Houston has talented starters and rotational pieces along the defensive line. Their starters will likely be Will Anderson Jr., Foley Fatukasi, Denico Autry, and Danielle Hunter. Their next four will likely be Dylan Horton, Tim Settle, Mario Edwards Jr., and Derek Barnett.
Where will Houston’s pass rush rank in sacks next season?
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