
#39 LB · Houston Texans
Height
6'2"
Weight
228 lbs
Age
25
College
Alabama
Draft
2023, Rd 5, #167
Experience
3 yrs
LB Rank
#67 / 339
Grade Henry To'oto'o
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On the field, Henry To'oto'o grades out as a strong LB for Houston Texans (B Performance). That places him 67th of 339 graded linebackers. Against that production, his deal reads as a clear bargain on the Contract Value Index (A-) — the team is paying below what the play would command. The public read is positive (B- Sentiment), drawn from current news and social signal rather than the box score.
| Year | Team | GP | Tkl | Sacks | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | ![]() | 47 | 261 | 4.0 | 1 |
| 2025 | ![]() | 17 | 95 | 2.5 | 0 |
| 2024 | ![]() | 15 | 105 | 1.5 | 1 |
| 2023 | ![]() | 15 |
Length
4 years
Total Value
$4.1M
Guaranteed
$245K
AAV
$1.0M/yr
Above-replacement production at the LB salary tier earns Henry To'oto'o a A- Contract Value Index. On a rookie scale deal worth $1.02M AAV over four years, To'oto'o is operating at a fraction of what a cornerstone linebacker commands—and his 2025 season output of 95 tackles and 2.5 sacks across 17 games validates that discount as legitimate value for Houston. Third-year players on minimum-level contracts represent some of the best efficiency in roster construction, provided they deliver functional production, and To'oto'o has cleared that bar despite his limited role; his recent flashes—a dominant tackle for loss and an 8-yard sack—demonstrate genuine competence when opportunities arrive. The prevailing media narrative, however, tempers enthusiasm: To'oto'o is being framed as a depth linebacker fighting to maintain his roster spot rather than a building block, with recent team activity including linebacker signings signaling Houston's willingness to reshape the position room. His standing faces near-term volatility entering the 2026 preseason, where an injury to a teammate creates a compressed window to prove his case and shake the expendability label. The CVI reflects the mathematical elegance of his deal—elite value on the salary sheet paired with realistic, below-star-tier production—making him a textbook example of smart roster efficiency, even if his on-field future in Houston remains genuinely uncertain.
Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the A band — a quick read on where Henry's contract sits relative to comparable money.
Henry To'oto'o has emerged as a reliable run-defender and tackling machine for Houston, anchoring the Texans' linebacker room with above-average instincts and consistency. The 25-year-old three-year veteran has logged 47 career games and earned a B-grade this season, positioning himself as a solid starter in a league where defensive production at the position remains inconsistent. While his trajectory shows promising development, current-season dips demand closer scrutiny as a potential warning sign. To'oto'o's greatest asset is his tackle production, averaging 5.59 per game—well above the NFL average of 2.19 and approaching elite thresholds. His ability to diagnose plays and flow downhill remains his calling card, though his pass rush remains pedestrian at 0.15 sacks per game, matching the league average but falling far short of elite edge presence. Coverage grades and pass deflection metrics (0.24 per game versus 0.18 NFL average) suggest modest proficiency in space without elite range or ball skills. The concerning trend appears in his 2025 season grade of C+, a notable dip from his B-minus showing last year. To'oto'o remains a developmental player with legitimate upside, but inconsistency across the last three seasons—bottoming at C-minus in 2023—suggests he hasn't yet reached a sustained elite level. His ceiling as a top-12 inside linebacker is realistic, contingent on stabilizing coverage ability and maintaining his above-average tackle rate. Watch whether Houston's defensive scheme maximizes his strengths or exposes limitations in pass defense.
Henry To'oto'o ranks 67th of 339 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Henry between Mack Wilson Sr (B) just ahead and Kenneth Murray Jr. (B) just behind.
Graded higher
Mack Wilson SrBJamal AdamsFree AgentBLogan WilsonDallas CowboysBGraded lower
Kenneth Murray Jr.Free AgentBHenry To'oto'o enters 2026 as a depth linebacker with modest career production (4 sacks, 3 seasons) but has generated notably positive media attention heading into what scouts and analysts are framing as a pivotal fourth year. Recent coverage emphasizes his leadership development and role within Houston's defensive scheme, with outlets highlighting his approach to the season and his status as an 'unsung hero'—language that suggests organizational confidence despite his limited statistical footprint. The Texans' investment remains modest at $1M annually, positioning him as a rotational contributor rather than a franchise cornerstone, though the team appears committed to his development. One headline referencing potential job jeopardy post-draft introduces mild uncertainty, though the overall tone of coverage is constructive rather than critical. Media perception reflects cautious optimism: To'oto'o is viewed as a solid depth piece with upside potential, but he remains outside the conversation of impact starters and will need on-field production to elevate his standing beyond role-player status.
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Henry To'oto'o is a player in his 3rd NFL season listed at LB for the Houston Texans. FanVerdicts covers every NFL player, team, GM, and transaction — and puts your verdict on all of it. Sign in to cast your Fan Verdict on Henry To'oto'o, see where the crowd lands, and argue the call. FanVerdicts also brings its own read — performance, sentiment, and Contract Value Index — as one honest input alongside the crowd's. Where FanVerdicts has weighed in so far: Contract Value Index A-, Performance B, Sentiment B-.
The crowd's Fan Verdict moves in real time as fans vote on this profile. FanVerdicts' own read updates as new data lands — performance recalculates when NFL game stats post, sentiment shifts with media coverage and fan discussion, and the Contract Value Index recomputes when contract terms change. Contract details below show the structure (years, total value, average annual value, guarantees) behind the Contract Value Index read.
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Updated Jun 20, 2026
Recent seasons are weighted more heavily in the overall performance grade.
C+
2025
(50% weight)
B-
2024
(30% weight)
C-
2023
(20% weight)
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