With the news of Denico Autry’s six-game suspension for PED use, the Houston Texans will again deploy the next-man-up mentality that carried them to a playoff berth last season.
Signed a two-year, $20 million deal, Autry, 34, joined Houston after posting a career-high 11.5 sacks with AFC South rival Tennessee in 2024. He showed zero signs of slowing down as a combination of exterior run defender and interior pass rusher alongside Pro Bowler defensive end Danielle Hunter and Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr.
However, Autry’s absence will put the trio’s debut on hold through early October. A new face must fill the void, if not more thanks to the veteran’s position flexibility.
Right now, Mario Edwards Jr. seems to be the front-runner to take over the mantle given his resemblance to Autry. At worst, he’ll lock up a starting defensive tackle spot next to Foley Fatukasi.
“I just see myself as where coach needs me to go and make a play and make it happen, I’m willing to do and ready to go do it,” Edwards said Monday following practice.
Interior DL will be just fine:
Khalil Davis beats Shaq Mason x 2
Foley splits vs Scruggs
Mario Edwards splits vs Kenyon Green
🎥 @AaronWilson_NFL
pic.twitter.com/l1ojdLsVYy— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) July 30, 2024
The son of Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defender Mario Edwards Sr., the latter was born and raised in Denton and became a star at Ryan High School. As the top defensive tackle recruit, he’d follow in the family’s footsteps and commit to Florida State, helping the Seminoles win a national title in 2013.
A second-round pick in 2015 by the then-Oakland Raiders, Edwards never stuck in one place for too long. Over the past nine seasons, he’s never spent more than three seasons in one place and played for six teams.
Edwards has eight starts in the past six years. That could nearly double that total after this season’s first six weeks.
This is just unfair. Look at what Mario Edwards Jr. does to Tennessee Titans first round pick Peter Skoronski on the way to sacking Ryan Tannehill.
Edwards fits the profile of the attacking, penetrating defensive lineman this defense wants. He fits the SWARM. pic.twitter.com/rAa2sz09p9
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) March 19, 2024
“I didn’t know how that was going to play out. I kind of left that up to the coaches,” Edwards said. “I just knew that I was going to come in and give it everything I had and do the best I could and let the chips fall where they fall.”
Much like Autry, Edwards has bounced between defensive tackle to defensive end. That lack of identity has led to him never finding a permanent place to call home, though he does enjoy Houston thus far.
“I love it here and they have been making it feel real home and this would be great for me,” Edwards said. “I’m three hours away from my home, so this has been a good place to kind of just settle down and call home.”
Houston valued versatility when acquiring talent this offseason. Since DeMeco Ryans arrived, there’s been a broad search for players with a “S.W.A.R.M” mentality.
Edwards fits the bill.
Mario Edwards on the Texans style of defense:
“Attack.. bloody somebody’s nose” 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/OrlnhJ1l0j
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) July 29, 2024
“Don’t think, just attack, just go, be aggressive, penetrate, disruptive, that is my style of ball. Playing fast and physical to the echo of the whistle,” Edwards said.
Last season with the Seattle Seahawks, Edwards totaled 21 tackles, six QB hits, five tackles for loss and two sacks in 15 games. Pro Football Focus graded Edwards highest among Seattle’s pass rushers.
For his career, Edwards has 21.5 sacks. Much like feeling as if Houston is his home, he’ll be asked to carve out a greater role than previously expected for the first time entering Year 10.