James Houston IV A Breakout Candidate In 2023
1 year agoDetroit Lions outside linebacker James Houston IV could be in line for a huge breakout if he can see the field consistently. The 2022 sixth-round draft pick played his first game in Week 12, and he made 2.0 sacks on just five defensive snaps. He finished the season with 8.0 sacks in seven games. His pass rush productivity was the highest of any player with 30 or more pass rush snaps. He converted 47.1% of his 17 pressures into sacks. That kind of efficiency would be difficult to maintain, but Houston is expected to have many more opportunities in his second season. He is listed as the No. 1 strong-side linebacker on the Lions' depth chart. In an article in the Detroit Free Press, Houston was quoted as saying, "Just like last year, it was just like they didn't really know where to put me." He hopes he can be a "chess piece" who can be moved around the field. Last season, he lined up on the defensive line for 98.5% of his snaps and did not ever line up in the box.
Source: Brenna White, NFL.com
Source: Brenna White, NFL.com