Justin Houston

There's always risk in buying a declining defender, but Houston has an opportunity to age gracefully playing end in defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' 4-3 defense, and it's not like the 30-year-old needed any help coming off a season where he posted nine sacks in 719 snaps. The Colts have a lot of defensive line contributors and it would surprise if Houston played more than 800 snaps, but Indy projects to lead frequently and his per-snap sack rate could jump as he plays more of an edge-rushing specialist role.

One of the few veteran holdovers from the 2017 roster, Houston has failed to regain his 2014 form that saw him rack up 22 sacks and 69 tackles, falling just a half-sack short of tying Michael Strahan's single season record. On a positive note, the linebacker remained healthy for 15 games for the first time since that campaign. He had missed parts of each of the last two seasons due to knee issues. A corresponding boost in production followed, but Houston missed double-digit sacks by a half-sack in 2017, recording 9.5 in addition to his 59 tackles (46 solo). Still just 29 years of age, Houston will look to recapture his star form in 2018 with a new-look defense surrounding him.

Houston didn't return to the field until Week 11 after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL prior to 2016, but turned that into a sizeable output. Despite being limited to just five regular-season games, he finished with 21 tackles (20 solo) and four sacks. The 28-year old outside linebacker is now three years removed from a 22-sack season, but could re-emerge in 2017 if he can stay on the field.

A season after nearly matching Michael Strahan's record for sacks (22 in 2014, 0.5 short of Strahan), Houston had a rather disappointing 2015 campaign, finishing with just 30 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He underwent offseason surgery on his right knee for an ACL that didn't work properly and was handed a timetable of 6-to-12 months. The veteran will start the 2016 season on the Chiefs' PUP list.

Houston dominated offensive lines in 2014, racking up a league-leading 22 sacks on the season, falling just short of Michael Strahan’s 22.5-sack single-season record and doubling his previous career-high total. The 26-year-old outside linebacker added 69 tackles (60 solo) and four forced fumbles to that, placing him among some of the top IDP options last season. He’s fortunate enough to have a similar pass-rushing pedigree across from him in Tamba Hali, preventing opposing offenses from focusing their protection on one side or the other. Back in Kansas City on the Chiefs’ franchise tag for 2015, it’s unrealistic to expect a season to match the previous campaign, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Houston once again proves a force rushing the quarterback.

Coming off a season in which he recorded 44 tackles (41 solo), 11 sacks, four passes defended, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble in 11 contests, the two-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker enters the final year of his rookie contract, and on the IDP radar thanks to his ability to get to the quarterback.

Houston recorded 10 sacks last season and is expected to start at outside linebacker for the Chiefs in 2013.

Houston came on very strong late in his rookie year, notching 24 total tackles and 5.5 sacks in the team's final five games. He has tremendous burst coming around the edge as a pass-rushing outside linebacker and could be in line for a major breakout playing opposite Pro Bowler Tamba Hali. Opposing offenses will simply not be able to devote as much attention to him as Hali, and in leagues that reward heavily for sacks, Houston could emerge as a productive IDP option.

A sack specialist in college, Houston projects as a situational pass rusher in his rookie season, as he must adjust to his linebacker role in the 3-4 defense before he can play more downs without being a liability. His upside is high, but after a lockout-shortened offseason and a brief contract holdout, he is behind in his development and not likely to contribute much in 2011.