Houston Texans’ top sleeper pick: Solomon Byrd, EDGE, USC

This offseason, the Texans moved even closer to a Super Bowl defense by adding Danielle Hunter to their top profile with a two-year, $49 million contract with $48 million guaranteed. Hunter is a perfect complement to Will Anderson, the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, as Hunter’s game is all about speed and command, while Anderson is all about power in the pocket.

To double down on this speed and flex issue, Houston also selected USC wing Solomon Byrd with the 238th pick in the seventh round. This choice could pay off well beyond its value. Last season for the Trojans, the Wyoming transfer totaled seven sacks and 41 total pressures on 320 repetitions. There’s not much to say about Byrd as a run defender, but then again, the Texans probably won’t line him up 20% of the time on 3-man fronts like the Trojans did for a any reason.

With Byrd, you put him on the outside in a rotation and let him chase…or you let him use his tremendous gap quickness on stunts and plays. No reason to think about it too much.

The Texans went all-in on Danielle Hunter because they want guys who can bend the edge and resist tackles. Watch out for seventh-round pick Solomon Byrd from USC. It’s got that motorcycle dip-and-rip and lean (copyright @gregcosell), and he certainly plays pinball. pic.twitter.com/TvIYipSnVj

– Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 2, 2024