Houston Texan reveals the best attribute Danielle Hunter brings to the defensive line

When the Houston Texans’ season ended in Baltimore on a cold January night, coach DeMeco Ryans was grateful for the success he experienced in his first season at the helm of the franchise. Still, Ryans left M&T Bank Stadium dissatisfied with the loss.

Ryans’ displeasure after the Texans’ 34-10 AFC Divisional Round loss to the Baltimore Ravens led to a significant roster overhaul. Houston spent most of the offseason revamping its defensive line, led by All-Pro passer Danielle Hunter.

He signed a two-year contract worth $49 million, $48 million guaranteed, and his free agency decision ended his eight-year tenure with the Minnesota Vikings. Hunter has become arguably Houston’s best acquisition this offseason due to the attention he receives from the opposing team’s offense.

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“It changes the protections and the way you do things, and it kind of unlocks other parts of the run,” defensive coordinator Matt Burke said after OTAs Thursday. “When we’re looking to attack protections, the most important thing is how predictably you can get the protection. If you know what the other team is doing or feel like the percentages are high enough, she will do it that way you have an answer to that question.

Hunter described his pass rush as his biggest attribute, and the description coincides with Ryans’ SWARM defensive mentality.

Since his rookie season in 2015, Hunter has recorded 87.5 career sacks. During his final season with the Vikings, he had a career-high 16.5 sacks with 80 pressures and 55 rushing carries. According to Pro Football Focus, Hunter posted a grade of 79.1.

However, most of Hunter’s success in 2023 came in the middle of a defensive line that didn’t feature a player close to his production. In Houston, Hunter will have the chance to play alongside reigning Defensive Player of the Year and pro Will Anderson Jr., who established himself as one of the league’s best EDGE rushers as a rookie.

The Texans believe the Hunter and Anderson duo will improve Houston’s defense – a year after the previous defensive line unit accounted for 38.0 of the franchise’s best 46.0 sacks.

“If they focus their attention on Hunter or Will or whoever, it kind of unlocks more things that we can do or how we manipulate some of these protections,” Burke said.

“I think with his presence and his history of what he’s done in the league, I think teams are going to have to account for where he is, how we use him and the way we play with that be on us.”

The addition of Hunter has Ryans and his team excited for the upcoming season. A Houston native, Hunter’s emotions coincide with those of his new coaches.

On January 13, Hunter attended the Texans’ victory against the Cleveland Browns and left NRG Stadium impressed with the team’s performance. Hunter is happy to return home. But more importantly, the Texans believe his skills on the field are enough to get the team past the divisional round in 2024.

“Danielle obviously has a history of success rushing the passer,” Burke said. “We think hopefully playing in that front and that style he can even improve on that, and pairing him with Will and the other guys we have on the floor, we’re excited to see how that comes to fruition.”

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Follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24.