The Houston Texans made waves this offseason, significantly enhancing their roster, especially on defence. Among their notable acquisitions is Denico Autry, a veteran defensive lineman whose impact often flies under the radar.
Autry, soon to be 34, enters his 11th NFL season after stints with the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans. Despite the physical toll of the game, Autry’s performance has only improved with age. His stats might not leap off the page, but his consistent presence and production have earned him a spot on NFL.com’s list of the most underappreciated players.
NFL.com rightly noted, “Autry certainly isn’t underappreciated by the AFC South. The former undrafted free-agent signee of the Raiders really came into his own during a three-year stint with the Colts. Then he spent the past three seasons racking up 28.5 sacks with the Titans.
And in March, he signed with the Texans, giving Houston a powerful, versatile defensive lineman to complement edge terrors Will Anderson Jr. and fellow free-agent addition Danielle Hunter. Titans star Jeffery Simmons was NOT happy about Autry’s intra-divisional relocation, while Texans OL Tytus Howard appeared quite pleased about not having to block him anymore.”
Autry’s two-year deal with the Texans is a testament to his ability to disrupt opposing offences. His knack for penetrating the backfield will be crucial, especially with defences focusing on edge rushers like Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Autry’s presence in the middle will likely go unnoticed by many, but his impact will be felt on the field.
The Texans face a tough schedule in 2024, and every player will need to bring their best to achieve a successful season and a deep playoff run. Autry’s experience and skill set will be vital to Houston’s defensive strategy, making him a key player to watch, even if he doesn’t always get the headlines.
