When Derek Barnett joined the Houston Texans midway through the 2023 season, there were questions about what type of player they would be getting. Through a year and a half in the Space City, Barnett has impressed in a limited role as a member of the Houston defense.
Recently, he impressed NFL.com writer Tom Blair enough that Blair named Barnett to his list of the most underappreciated players in the National Football League.
Houston Texans defensive end Derek Barnett was named by NFL.com as the most underappreciated Texan heading into 2025
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"Barnett played just 38% of the Texans' defensive snaps in 2024, easily the lowest in any season in which he suited up for more than one game, while compiling 5.0 sacks, tied for 72nd-most in the NFL. So what is he doing here?" Blair said in his explanation about why he selected Barnett. "Well, scan his Pro Football Reference page a little further, until you see the one bolded number indicating he led the league with two fumble recoveries returned for a touchdown last year."
Blair further explains that while being a largely "luck based" stat, the way Barnett secured his two fumble recovery touchdowns puts him in a category of his own. In week 11 he forced a fumble before recovering a subsequent fumble and taking it 30 yards to the house for a score against the Dallas Cowboys. Once more in week 18, he brought the defenders with him when he took another to the endzone against the Tennessee Titans.
Barnett is set to get another good opportunity to prove himself with the Texans in 2025. With stellar defensive pieces like Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr. and Azeez Al-Shaair, Barnett will have to fight for his playing time, but when he's on the field he'll have easier opportunities to shine with the attention from offenses focused elsewhere.
Barnett will also have to contend for playing time against free agent signee Darrell Taylor, who comes to Houston after four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and one with the Chicago Bears.
The competition for the top of the depth chart on the Texans' defensive line will be one to watch throughout minicamp and on into training camp later in the summer.
