Houston Texans 20.8 11th, Sacks 46 Tied 13th

The Houston Texans surprised almost everyone with a playoff victory last year. Excluding their Divisional Playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Texans held four of their last five opponents to 19 points or less. They were getting in a rhythm.

The 2023 season may have begun and ended with a loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but Head Coach DeMeco Ryans turned around a bad franchise in one season. There were only four regular season games in which they gave up thirty or more points, and the franchise selected the Offensive and Defensive Rookie(s) of the Year… a feat rarely accomplished. They allowed 20.1 PPG in part to those monster 30 point games, but were much better down the stretch. They should also improve due to adding some top IDP veterans via free agency.

2024 Projections: 1st

‘If you’re not first, you’re last’, as the old expression goes. This year the Houston Texans jump up 10 spots to claim the best in the NFL. There is too much talent on the field and too much intelligence in the coaching staff for the Texans to be at a disadvantage. The Texans have All-Pro caliber players at every level of their defense, and this is not an exaggeration. 

Discussing the IDPs of this defense could go all night, and we would still be leaving off information. Their draft capital is quite the statement, as 6 of their starters are on rookie contracts. Will Anderson Jr., Christian Harris, Henry To’oTo’o, Jalen Pitre, and Derek Stingley Jr. round out an impressive group. 2024 second round pick Kamari Lassiter joins them and if in a league which rewards high points for cornerbacks go get him. He could be the one kink in Houston’s armor.

It’s time to get to the IDPs and listing only three was like tossing a favorite from a state fair food sampler. It can be done but you’re not happy about it, even worse, it leaves you wondering if you choose the correct one.

BEST FF IDPs: In Order of Ranking

LB Azeez Al-Shaair

DL Will Anderson Jr.

DB Jalen Pitre

Azeez Al-Shaair eclipsed the century mark in tackles just once in his four years at San Francisco, 2021. However, he only started 13 games that season, and a combined 18 the other three years. He signed with the Tennessee Titans last year and started all 17 games, earning 163 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 2 sacks in the process.

He now reunites with his former defensive coordinator, DeMeco Ryans, in a defense he knows well. This under noticed move will pay large dividends to the Texans, and bring great joy to Texans fans. He will wear the important ‘green dot’ for the Texans Defense, and will be a three down linebacker.

The NFL running back is fading away, and so is the hard nosed interior linebacker (although people are not as keen on it yet). Al-Shaair is deceptively big, 6’ 2”, 228 pounds and a true thumper in any era of football. Go get him for his high tackling floor, and sharp football IQ, and know you have a top 10 LB to lead your IDPs.

Will Anderson Jr. is going to be mentioned with the greatest of the great one day. In fact he has potential to be the greatest Houston Texan of all-time. The crazy part is he may not even be the best defensive lineman on the Texans’ 2024 roster! New Texan, Danielle Hunter was once the leading point scorer, and is a four time Pro Bowl selection with 87.5 career sacks. 

Anderson Jr. gets the nod over Hunter mainly due to the fact he is younger, and has not entered his prime. He amassed 15 games, 45 tackles, 22 quarterback hits, and 7 sacks in 2023, all of which helped him earn Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Texans should have an improved offense which should only boost Anderson’s numbers from last year with more positive game scripts.

Also, flipping the script, isn’t it possible that Hunter helps Anderson? Could he not pass along valuable knowledge and his experience to the second year player? Will offensive coordinators be keying in on Hunter, allowing more one on one opportunities for Anderson? Could these fierce competitors have an unspoken battle to see who gets the most sacks? 

The answer to all of these is Yes… this coming from someone who drafted Danielle Hunter (Anderson went a couple picks before). Do not hesitate to grab Anderson Jr. or Hunter, as both should get 10+ sacks this season.

Jalen Pitre came in like a wrecking ball, back in 2022. His 99 solo tackles and 147 combined were a marvel to see, and he had monster points in IDP leagues. He had 84 tackles in 15 games last season, a pace of 100 for a complete season, and he could get 100 combined tackles this season.

The Texans have improved on both sides of the ball, and Pitre’s numbers reflected it. CJ Stroud was able to lead the offense on long sustaining drives, and this took away some of Pitre’s time to make tackles. He is not someone you should reach for, but if he is available late in the draft, go after him. Kamari Lassiter could be the defensive back to own, but he will likely go undrafted in standard IDP leagues.

Tomorrow the New York Jets.

Thank you for reading, please leave any feedback here or on my X account @IDP_Iggy

Bet Smart, Be Lucky – Iggy

All statistics come from pro-football-reference and Sleeperbot