Houston Texans’ Hidden Gem: Why Derek Barnett Might Be the Most Underrated Piece in DeMeco Ryans’ Defense
While the spotlight in Houston often falls on star defenders like Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr., there’s a name that keeps quietly showing up when the game’s on the line—Derek Barnett.
You might remember Barnett from his early days with the Philadelphia Eagles—he was a first-round pick in 2017, the guy who recovered that iconic strip-sack in Super Bowl LII to seal Philly’s first-ever title. Fast forward to 2023, and he’s no longer the headliner, but don’t let that fool you—this dude is still making noise in the trenches, now wearing the Houston Texans red, white, and deep steel blue.
🟢 So, What’s So Special About Derek Barnett?
Let’s break it down:
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5.0 sacks in limited snaps (only 38% defensive snap count in 2024)
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2 fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns—yeah, that led the entire NFL!
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8.5 sacks combined over his Texans tenure
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Multiple starts in place of Hunter and Anderson due to injuries
Now, if that doesn’t scream impact player, we don’t know what does.
🛑 Not Just Depth—He’s Production on Tap
Barnett isn’t just warming the bench as a backup. In fact, he’s filled in admirably when needed. Both Hunter and Anderson missed at least one game last season, and when they did, Barnett stepped up like a seasoned vet, giving the Texans a much-needed push in pass rush without losing defensive pressure.
Sure, he’s technically the No. 3 or 4 pass rusher behind the top-tier guys, but he’s more than just a rotational body. He’s that reliable wrench in the toolbox—maybe not flashy, but always gets the job done when things get gritty.
🔍 Tom Blair of NFL.com Says It Best
NFL analyst Tom Blair recently spotlighted Barnett as the most underrated player on the Texans roster. When you only play 38% of your team’s snaps and still rack up 5 sacks and lead the league in defensive touchdowns (from fumble recoveries), that says something about your nose for the ball.
“Scan his Pro Football Reference page a little further… and you’ll see the one bolded number indicating he led the league with two fumble recoveries returned for a touchdown,” Blair noted. “He put himself in position to score when the ball bounced his way, matching a single-season high for fumble recovery TDs reached by just 35 players since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger.”
Think about that—only 35 players in over five decades have ever matched that single-season record. That’s elite company, even if it doesn’t show up in weekly headlines.
⚙️ A Former First-Rounder Reinventing Himself
It’s easy to label Barnett as a “former first-rounder who faded.” But that narrative doesn’t hold up in Houston. This is a guy who, after being waived by the Eagles, found new life in DeMeco Ryans’ system.
Houston snatched him off waivers midway through the 2023 season. Right in the middle of a playoff push, he got thrown into the fire. Most guys would need weeks to catch up. Barnett? He fit in like he’d been there all year. And now, he’s earned another contract with the Texans, proving that his story is far from over.
🧠 Football IQ, Motor, and Veteran Grit
Barnett may not have the eye-popping numbers of a Nick Bosa or Myles Garrett, but he brings other invaluable traits:
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Veteran presence in a young, hungry defense
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Situational awareness—always near the ball when chaos erupts
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Consistency under pressure, especially in playoff-clinching games
The Texans aren’t just keeping Barnett around because of nostalgia or depth. They know what he brings to a locker room and to the field. He’s battle-tested, and that matters when you're trying to build a culture of winning in a franchise that’s turning the corner.
⚔️ The Battle for Playing Time in 2025
This upcoming season? It’s not gonna be a walk in the park. Barnett is going to have to earn his reps all over again.
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Darrell Taylor has joined the Texans from Seattle and Chicago. He brings another layer of pass rush heat to the mix.
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Solomon Byrd, a seventh-round pick, carved out a nice little niche in the rotation late last season.
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And let’s not forget, the Texans still boast an elite edge combo in Hunter and Anderson, both capable of game-wrecking performances.
But here’s the thing—Barnett isn’t going anywhere quietly. He’s done it before, and odds are, he’ll find a way to shine when the lights are brightest.
📅 Mark Your Calendars: Texans Open at SoFi Stadium
Week 1 is circled in red ink for Houston fans. The Texans will kick off the 2025 season on the road at SoFi Stadium against the Los Angeles Rams.
While much of the attention will be on the stars and the offensive fireworks, don’t be surprised if Derek Barnett finds a way to make a big-time play—a strip-sack, a fumble recovery, maybe even another touchdown. Because that’s just what he does.
🧩 Final Word: Why Barnett’s Role Matters More Than You Think
Sometimes, the most important players aren’t the ones making headlines—they’re the ones quietly putting the team in position to win.
Derek Barnett fits that mold to a T. Whether he’s plugging in as a fill-in starter, crashing in off the edge as the third rusher, or scooping up a loose ball and taking it to the house, Barnett does the little things that championship teams are made of.
And while the media might not shower him with love, Texans fans and coaches know exactly what they’ve got—a hard-nosed, versatile, clutch performer with gas left in the tank.
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