Danielle Hunter was a solid player for the Minnesota Vikings over eight seasons. He became a multi-year second-team All-Pro and helped the franchise go from being an underwhelming unit on defense to one of the league’s best.
Since arriving at NRG Stadium as the replacement for Jonathan Greenard, Hunter has exploded into a fixture of the Houston Texans’ defense. He continues to be a wrecking crew opposite All-Pro Will Anderson Jr. oftentimes winning his battles against tackles and pluverizing quarterbacks for sacks.
So, where does the top sack machine in the AFC South rank on Pete Prisco’s top 100 list?
In his annual Top 100 players list, Prisco listed the five Texans among the best in the NFL. To no one’s surprise, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and recently acquired Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett took home the top overall spot.
Anderson, who finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, came in at No. 15 and ranked fourth among defensive ends. As for Hunter, he was a bit lower, appearing at No. 37 overall and ranking sixth among defensive ends.
“At 31, he remains a dominant pass rusher,” Prisco wrote. “He had 15 sacks last season and has posted double-digit sacks in four straight years. He has 114.5 sacks in his career.”
Age is simply a number for Hunter as he enters his 11th season. Initially used as a situational pass-rusher in Minnesota, the Houston native has blossomed into one of the more complete defensive end, ranking top 10 in back-to-back seasons as a pass rusher and run defender.
Since joining the Texans, Hunter has racked up 27 sacks, 32 tackles for loss and 47 quarterback hits. Only Garrett and Denver Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto have more sacks during that span, with the former only having .5 more sacks.
To read Prisco’s entire list, click here.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans DE Danielle Hunter named one of best defenders in CBS Sports’ Top 100 list
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cole Thompson, Texans Wire | USA TODAY Network
