'Junkyard Dog!' Nick Caserio Praises Texans Free Agent Signing Denico Autry

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio decided to pursue defensive lineman Denico Autry in free agency. To some extent, that decision was based on his character.

The Houston Texans have had one of the flashier offseasons in football, trading for a high-profile running back and signing a star edge rusher to counteract free agency’s departures.

This made trading defensive Maliek Collins a bit curious. Collins was an integral part of the team’s interior pass rush this past season and looked primed for more production with upgraded talent around him. Instead, he was traded for a late-round pick, a referendum on his value.

Houston agreed to terms with defensive lineman Denico Autry during the legal tampering period, putting Collins’ job in jeopardy. Both have found success over the B-gap, and while Autry has seen an increasing share of his snaps outside, that versatility may have earned him Collins’ roster spot.

Dec 17, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (18) is sacked by Tennessee Titans defensive end Denico Autry (96) during the second half at Nissan Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

On Monday, Texans general manager Nick Caserio spoke on SportsRadio 610 about the Autry signing and some of the factors that went into it.

“Specific to Denico, I mean, this guy’s a badass,” Caserio said. “This guy’s a junkyard dog. If you go into a dark alley, you want this guy behind you. This is a bad MFer, and a really good football player who cares about football.”

Autry had his most productive year as a pro in 2023, finding 11.5 sacks, 50 tackles, and 12 tackles for loss, logging four separate games with at least five pressures.

Autry has shown the ability to contribute from multiple alignments throughout his NFL career. Whether he’s puncturing the B-gap, aligning over a tackle, or positioned as a true edge, Autry is a passing-down specialist with 59 career sacks to his name.

After posting approximately league-average win rates on the edge in 2023, Autry will look to benefit from star edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Whether he’s rotating in or aligning between them, he’s a threat to opposing quarterbacks facing a revamped Texans defense.

“We’ve played against him for the last couple years in Tennessee and he was in Indianapolis,” Caserio said. “But glad he’s on our side and we’re excited about what he could potentially bring.”

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If nothing else, Autry is further proof of the attitude Caserio’s front office has taken this offseason. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has provided them an opportunity to be aggressive in their pursuit of the Kansas City Chiefs atop of the AFC.

Surrounding Stroud with a defense stocked with pass-rushing threats is a strong way to start.