'Junkyard Dog!' Texans GM Praises Denico Autry

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.”

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.