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3-20-2024 Daily Thread

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TEXANS FREE AGENCY SUMMARY
(special thanks to Jeremy, whose username I forgot)

Key Returning Players:

  • Dalton Schultz – Signed to be the starting U-TE at top-4 AAV contract in the league. Effectively a two-year deal.
  • Ka’imi Fairbairn – Top-4 kicker contract. Accurate, clutch kicker who wins games when available.
  • Noah Brown – Currently WR3 to split time with Metchie. Hopefully they bring in competition in the draft.

Other Re-Signings:

  • Desmond King – Should have competition from Mike Ford and a draft pick to “start” at slot corner. Capable PR/KR when needed.
  • Eric Murray – Safety depth and STs, not guaranteed a roster spot.
  • Khalil Davis – Short-armed 3-technique who flashed at times in 2023. Competing for a role with veterans and likely a draft pick.
  • Charlie Heck – Re-signed to compete at swing tackle.
  • Kris Boyd – STs, slot corner depth.

High-End Acquisitions:

  • Danielle Hunter – Potentially best player on the defense, makes edge position top of the league.
  • Azeez Al-Shaair – Back at home playing Mike for DeMeco. Tried to sign him last year. He should shine playing next to Harris.
  • Joe Mixon – Step up from Devin Singletary. A good pass catcher and hard-nosed, durable runner.
  • Denico Autry – Will back-up the edge and rush from the interior on 3rd downs.
  • Foley Fatukasi – Should start at Right DT. Big 1i.
  • Tommy Townsend – Significantly younger punter than Cam Johnston who shouldn’t be a step back.

Other Additions:

  • Tim Settle – In the tackle rotation likely backing up Foley and maybe entering in short-yardage situations next to him. Has flashed, but has not played a lot of snaps the last few years.
  • Jeff Okudah – Low floor, decent upside attempt to address CB2. One-year deal with hope that DeMeco can get more out of him.
  • Mario Edwards – Big journeyman DE who looks like he can step inside as a rotational D-lineman.
  • Del’Shawn Phillips – STs standout who will provide LB depth.
  • Mike Ford – 9 STs tackles in 2023 and slot CB depth.
  • Lonnie Johnson – STs and safety depth.
  • David Sharpe – Low commitment tackle depth signing.

3-15-2024 Daily Thread

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I shared this last night, but I thought it was worth posting again:

3-14-2024 Overflow Thread

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2024 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Interior Defensive Linemen

1) JER’ZHAN NEWTON, ILLINOIS
BIG BOARD RANK: 10
Newton, an all-around interior defensive lineman, is productive as both a run defender and a pass-rusher. His overall size is on the smaller side, but his first step and elite hand speed allow him to live in backfields.

2) LEONARD TAYLOR III, MIAMI (FLA.)
BIG BOARD RANK: 33
Big men don’t often get the athlete label as a prospect, but at 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, that’s what Taylor is. His pass-rush win rate is one of the highest at his position, making him one of the best — perhaps the best — pass-rushing defensive tackles in the class.

3) BYRON MURPHY II, TEXAS
BIG BOARD RANK: 44
T’Vondre Sweat gets most of the notoriety among Texas’ defensive linemen, but Murphy is also a future pro and showed that this season. He’s not a size monster like Sweat — Murphy is listed at 6-foot-1, 305 pounds — but his quickness and strength at the three-technique position yielded a 91.8 pass-rush grade in 2023. He also made Bruce Feldman’s “College Football Freaks List” for his strength, front squatting 455 pounds and power cleaning 375.

4) KRIS JENKINS, MICHIGAN
BIG BOARD RANK: 48
Jenkins is a powerful player in the middle of a defense. His run-defense abilities give him a very high floor as a projected pro. While his pass-rush production won’t pop out at you, it is improving.

5) BRANDON DORLUS, OREGON
BIG BOARD RANK: 52
Dorlus is a versatile defensive lineman. He has the size and strength to play on the interior, yet a surprisingly quick first step and hands to be a plus pass-rusher. He would be a great fit for defenses that stay multiple in their fronts.