In four seasons since the Kansas City Chiefs made him their third-round draft pick in 2011, outside linebacker Justin Houston has proven to be on a pass-rushing level all his own. In his first three seasons, he had been a decent pass-rusher for the Chiefs, totaling 26.5 sacks—good for 39th in league history over the first three years of a player’s career.
But his production exploded in 2014, coming up a half-sack shy of tying Michael Strahan’s single-season NFL record for sacks. His 22-sack campaign thrust him up to eighth all-time for sacks in the first four years of a career, with 48.5.
He is also one of eight NFL players to record at least 40 sacks in fewer than 60 games played through four seasons, joining some very good current players as well as three Hall of Famers—also, note three of the eight are from that great 2011 draft class.
Houston’s 2014 season likely earned him a lot of money on his next deal. He is the premier edge-rusher in the 2015 free-agent class, and these five teams all have a real shot at obtaining the All-Pro.
Kansas City Chiefs
Placing the franchise tag on Houston would cost the Chiefs between $13.2 and $14.9 million, according to Spotrac.com. That’s nearly out of the question considering their current salary cap issues ($1.6 million over the projected cap), but hitting him with the tag while the two sides work out a long-term deal is plausible.
If anything, the franchise tag could guarantee Kansas City gets something for Houston should another club swoop in and sign the star defender. And that may be the best plan of action for the Chiefs if they decide they cannot afford him.
Should Kansas City assign Houston the non-exclusive tag, any team would be able to negotiate a deal with him. However, in order to make the deal complete, that team would have to fork over two first-round picks on top of paying their new acquisition. That begs the questions: How much do you want Justin Houston, and is he worth it?
The four other teams listed would likely answer “badly” and “absolutely” to those questions.
New York Jets
With plenty of money to spend (projected at $45.5 million), a new defensive-minded head coach and a dire need for edge-rush help, the Jets would be wise to throw fat stacks of money toward Houston this offseason.
Most of the pressure generated last season for New York came from the defensive line. Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson were the best pass-rushers on the team by a long shot, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), and adding Houston to that mix would give the Jets one of the more fearsome front seven units in the AFC.
Tormenting Tom Brady twice per season and helping head coach Todd Bowles turn around a franchise whose fanbase is itching for a return to glory could be enough to lure the prized free agent to the Meadowlands.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers have more money to spend this offseason than anyone else in the NFC does. At just over $24 million in cap space, they have deep pockets and could look to Houston as an excuse to make Clay Matthews’ move from outside to inside linebacker a permanent one.
During the first half of the 2014 regular season, Matthews manned his usual spot at outside linebacker, and the Packers were 29th in rushing, allowing 4.8 yards per carry and nine touchdowns.
They were 5-3 over that span.
Out of desperation, Green Bay moved Matthews to inside linebacker at the halfway point of the regular season. Over the final eight games, the defense was sixth in rushing, allowing just 3.6 yards per carry and two touchdowns.
It would finish 7-1 and win the NFC North.
Making Matthews a permanent inside linebacker would be easier if the Packers replace his prowess on the outside with Houston. They have the bankroll to do so.
Cleveland Browns
If the Browns ever hit on a first-round pick, they’ll be in great shape down the road. Their problem recently has been taking too many high-risk players on Day 1 and never seeing them pan out.
Cleveland has done a nice job of building a solid defense through free agency of late, adding inside linebacker Karlos Dansby and safety Donte Whitner last offseason and outside linebacker Paul Kruger in 2013.
Houston would be another great addition to a defense that finished ninth in points allowed last season. The Browns allowed the sixth-fewest touchdowns (22) through the air, picked off the second-most passes (21) and finished with the best defensive passer rating in the NFL (74.1), yet they generated only 31 sacks—good for 27th in the league.
The city of Cleveland needs a premier pass-rusher, and with an estimated $47.8 million in cap space, the Browns have more than enough to entice him with their pocket book alone.
Atlanta Falcons
Houston had as many sacks in 2014 as the entire Falcons roster did. Atlanta’s defense hasn’t come close to finishing in the top 10 in sacks since it finished 11th with 34 in 2008. Every season since, it has been in the bottom-third.
Adding Mr. Houston would be a good start to improving a defense that surrendered the 27th-most points per game a year ago, but it needs more help than just a free-agent linebacker.
With the eighth pick in the upcoming draft, Atlanta would do itself a favor by adding a second pass-rushing ‘backer opposite Houston. If the Falcons find the right one at that spot, he could start with Houston from Day 1 and give the defense a new dynamic along the front seven.
Affording Houston would not be difficult, as Atlanta currently is projected to have over $22 million in cap space.
Photo: USA Today