This is the fifth week of my NFL Underestimated Player Spotlight. This week I am looking at a defensive player, taking a break from offensive athletes. This week’s player is from the Houston Texans and despite being past his prime, is still a solid player. The athlete is underrated especially because they are not on a good NFL team. This week’s NFL underestimated player spotlight is on defensive end Jerry Hughes.
NFL Underestimated Player: College
Hughes attended Texas Christian University to play football for the Horned Frogs for four years. In these years playing defense, Hughes totaled 124 tackles, 82 solo, and 28.5 sacks according to Sports Reference. He also totaled three interceptions and a touchdown, which is a lot for a defensive end. A reason he has done well in catching interceptions could be because in high school Hughes played as a running back.
Hughes’ best year at TCU was in 2008 as a junior. In that year he totaled 52 tackles, 15 sacks, and two interceptions. This was the year Hughes scored a touchdown from one of the interceptions he caught. This was a bowl year for TCU too, and these stats do include that game as well. While 2008 was a long time ago now, it does not mean Hughes cannot be an NFL Underestimated player.
NFL Underestimated Player: Career
Hughes is currently the oldest player to be included in my NFL Underestimated Player Spotlights. The defensive end was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round with the 31st overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft. He played with the Buffalo Bills for the majority of his career after a trade and is currently with the Houston Texans.
Hughes, who has 13 years of NFL experience and is 34 years old, totals 65 sacks, according to Pro Football Reference. He also has two interceptions and 21 pass deflections. Interceptions are not a norm for defensive ends, and it is a great addition to his statistics. In addition to interceptions, Hughes totals 17 forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. The defensive end totals two touchdowns from those fumble recoveries. Turnovers are important for any team’s defense to force and Hughes has done a great job with this.
Aside from his 65 sacks, Hughes totals 431 combined tackles, 289 solo, and 136 quarterback hits. Hughes may be past his prime, but he is still playing well and deserves to be on this week’s NFL Underestimated Player Spotlight.
NFL Underestimated Player: 2022 Season
It is no secret that the Houston Texans are just not a good team. Their record is 1-6-1. Hughes, as an individual player, is not doing poorly. This season he has 19 total tackles, 13 solo, and seven sacks, according to ESPN. As for turnovers, the defensive end has one interception for 14 yards and one forced fumble. Hughes may not be a top player in the league, and his career will soon be over, but he is an NFL Underestimated Player.
Hughes is actually tied for 7th in sacks according to ESPN. There may be a lot of other players with that many, and more, sacks, but for someone who is 34, that is not bad at all. The Texans most recently faced the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. While Houston lost, they kept it closer than most people may would have expected.
In their game against the Eagles, Hughes had five total tackles, four solo, and two sacks according to ESPN. While these are low numbers, the Eagles are a very good team and Hughes was one of the reasons that the game was closer than it was believed it would be.
The Houston Texans will next face the 6-2 New York Giants. Be sure to watch this week’s Underestimated Player Spotlight to see if he can make an impact on his team.
For more NFL content:
Catch up on my past NFL Underestimated Player Spotlights, beginning with last week’s here. Check out my top five super bowl contenders after eight weeks. Also, check out my top five teams to tank after eight weeks. You can also read here why the NFL Must Ban Turf in their stadiums.
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