We’ve all heard it: The NFL is a copycat league
and
Defenses win championships
The current reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles won the crown with a stifling defense that not only overcame the Patrick Mahomes, Taylor Swift and the Kansas City Chiefs, they overcame the KC Refs as well.
Now, only a few days into 2025 NFL Free Agency, head coach Demeco Ryans and your Houston Texans have amassed one of the most formidable defenses in all the land.
Here’s a quick recap (as of this writing) of new/returning Texans defenders:
ESPN
Mario Edwards Jr., DT
Edwards is returning to the Texans on a two-year, $9.5 million deal.
What it means: Edwards is an effective run stopper, as he was tied for third in run stuffs (six) per Next Gen Stats, and provides good rotational depth at defensive tackle.
M.J. Stewart, S
The Texans are bringing back Stewart on a one-year deal.
What it means: Stewart is a backup safety with special teams value. He played 83% of the Texans’ special teams snaps last season.
Tremon Smith, CB
Smith joins Houston on a two-year contract worth $7.5 million.
What it means: Smith’s value is on special teams. He played 85% and 82% of the Broncos’ special team snaps in the last two seasons, respectively.
Darrell Taylor, DE
The Texans have agreed to terms with the former Chicago Bears defensive end on a one-year deal worth $5 million.
What it means: Taylor has flashed the ability to sack quarterbacks after having 9.5 in his second year. He hasn’t reached over 6 since, but he’s only heading into Year 5. So the Texans add more capable depth.
Derek Barnett, DE
Barnett returns to the Texans on a one-year, $5 million contract.
What it means: Barnett provides effective depth at the defensive end position for the Texans after he totaled five sacks last season. He also led Houston’s defense in scoring touchdowns as he returned two fumbles for touchdowns.
Sheldon Rankins, DT
Rankins joins Houston on a one-year, $7 million contract.
What it means: This is the start of a slight overhaul for Houston’s defensive tackle room as Mario Edwards and Foley Fatukasi, who started a combined 23 games in 2024 for the Texans, are free agents. Neither are expected to return, so Rankins is part of the overhaul. He had six sacks during his 2023 stint with Houston, so the Texans hope to see something similar in 2025.
Kurt Hinish, DT
The Texans are bringing back Hinish on a one-year deal.
What it means: Hinish adds depth to the defensive tackle room as he’s played in 42 games in his career for the Texans.
Plus this killer trade went down:
CBSNews: Eagles trade C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Texans for Kenyon Green
CJGJ had six interceptions, 12 pass deflections and one forced fumble in 16 regular-season games in 2024. Pro Football Focus gave him a 76.0 grade, 21st out of 170 NFL safeties. He was one of the Eagles’ team leaders on defense.
#Texans Defensive Line
DE Danielle Hunter - 19.1% Pressure rate (T-1st)
DE Will Anderson Jr. - 16.9% Pressure rate (5th)
DE Darrell Taylor - 12.0% Pressure rate (T-24th)
DE Derek Barnett - 11.2% Pressure rate (T-31st)
DT Tim Settle - 9.2% Pressure rate (54th)
DT Sheldon Rankins… pic.twitter.com/TTVvzYbZQl
— シcal (@nestagraphics) March 11, 2025
That’s 54 total sacks right there. 54. FIFTY FOUR. (2 more than the Texans o-line surrendered in 2024 for those keeping score at home).
And then there’s this:
Let’s take a look at how this likely maps out, shall we.
DE Will Anderson Jr - Derek Barnett
DT Tim Settle - Kurt Hinnish
DT Sheldon Rankins - Mario Edwards Jr
DE Danielle Hunter - Darrell Taylor
LB Azeezi Al-Shaair
LB Christian Harris
LB Henry To’oTo’o
CB Derek Stingley Jr
CB Kamari Lassiter
S Calen Bullock - Jimmie Ward
S C.J. Gardner-Johnson - Jalen Pitre
All run by this man:
In 2006, DeMeco Ryans won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year with the Texans.
In his first year as the Texans head coach, he helped guide Will Anderson Jr. and C.J. Stroud to Rookie of the Year honors
A full circle moment pic.twitter.com/o3sU2s4z5X
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 9, 2024
Now give Demeco and general manager Nick Caserio some room to rebuild the O-Line and this team is going to be a contender.
Are you excited yet?