Denico Autry

Career StatsC-

Year	Team	GP	Sacks	Tkl	TFL
Career		164	65.5	331	43.5
2025		12	3.5	8	0
2024		10	3.0	13	1
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

**ABSOLUTE STEAL** — The Texans landed Denico Autry on what appears to be a veteran minimum deal at just $0.8M AAV, earning an A+ CVI that represents one of the best value propositions in the NFL this season. Getting a serviceable starter-caliber pass rusher for pocket change is the kind of move that wins you cap space flexibility while addressing roster needs. At 34, Autry may not be the explosive edge threat he once was, but his experience and reliable production make him a perfect complementary piece for Houston's defensive front at this price point. The minimal financial commitment means zero risk if his age catches up to him, while the upside of getting quality snaps from a proven veteran could pay dividends in a competitive AFC South. This is exactly the type of shrewd roster building that allows teams to allocate resources to premium positions while still maintaining depth — Houston's front office deserves credit for finding exceptional value in the bargain bin.

Performance Analysis

Denico Autry is a 12-year veteran edge rusher who has carved out a respectable career as a rotational pass-rush specialist in the NFL. His overall profile earns a C- grade this season, reflecting a player whose best years may now be behind him. At 35, Autry occupies a depth role rather than the featured disruptor position he commanded during his prime. His current sack rate of 0.29 per game sits below the NFL average of 0.34 and well short of the elite benchmark of 0.68, signaling diminished explosiveness off the edge. The concerning part is that this dip isn't isolated — his grades have declined sharply from an A- in 2023 to a D- in 2024 and a D+ in 2025. That two-year skid suggests the 2023 breakout was a career apex rather than a sustainable baseline, and Houston's coaching staff must manage his snap count accordingly. Autry's career body of work — 164 games, consistent rotational production across multiple franchises — still commands respect and reflects a durable, professional pass rusher. However, the trajectory heading into what could be his final NFL seasons points sharply downward. At this stage, his value lies in mentoring younger edge rushers and delivering situational pressure packages rather than anchoring a defensive front.

Current Sentiment

Denico Autry enters the 2026 offseason in a precarious position with the Houston Texans, as reports indicate the organization is expected to move on from the veteran pass rusher. Despite an impressive career body of work that includes over 65 career sacks across 12 NFL seasons, Autry's current standing is undermined by a veteran-minimum contract and a series of injury-related absences that raised durability concerns throughout the recent campaign. His activation from the PUP list mid-season offered a brief window of optimism, but the surrounding coverage has been largely transactional and exit-focused rather than celebratory of his contributions. The tone of recent media coverage reflects a player at the tail end of his career whose market value and roster security are both in serious question heading into free agency. Unless a team identifies a specific rotational need that Autry can fill at a bargain price, the broader perception is that of a respected veteran whose best days are behind him and whose NFL future remains uncertain.