The Houston Texans added another defensive lineman, this time agreeing to a two-year contract with veteran edge rusher Denico Autry.
The two-year deal is worth $20 million, according to KPRC’s 2 Aaron Wilson, and includes $10.5 million guaranteed for the 33-year-old pass rusher.
Two years, $20 million and $10.5 million guaranteed for Autry per a league source @KPRC2 https://t.co/ho47c9e4m9
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 11, 2024
Autry will replace Jonathan Greenard, who agreed to a deal with the Minnesota Vikings earlier on Monday.
The 10-year veteran posted a career-high in sacks with the Tennessee Titans with 11.5 in 2023. He has been a model of consistency since he joined the Titans in 2021. Autry finished with at least eight sacks in his three seasons in Tennessee. Before that, he played for the Indianapolis Colts and the Oakland Raiders.
Autry is a large pass rusher at 285 pounds and uses his size and strength well to shed off would-be pass blockers. Many consider him one of the most underrated pass rushers in the league.
#Texans fans, I did a deep dive on what makes Autry one of the best, most underrated pass-rushers in football here https://t.co/RasgpyqjzU
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) March 11, 2024
The former Titans defensive lineman will be on the opposite side of the line of reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr., who helped Greenard post a career-high 12.5 sacks. Autry ranks in the upper half of the league in several passing rushing categories, including hurries and pass rush win rate, per Pro Football Focus,
Houston will be Autry’s third stop in the AFC South. He has spent the past six seasons in the division and has 59 sacks and seven forced fumbles in his career.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio has rebuilt the team with several one- and two-year deals, and the trend has continued early into the 2024 free agency cycle. Autry’s agreed-upon deal is the biggest the Texans have shelled out on the first day of the legal tampering period.