Is Danielle Hunter the NFL’s most underrated defensive end entering 2026?
Since joining the Houston Texans, Hunter has become the definition of consistency. While sharing the spotlight with All-Pro teammate Will Anderson Jr., Hunter has actually been the better pass-rusher in terms of sacks, leading Houston in back-to-back years.
So, is he underrated? Better yet, is Hunter a consensus top-10 pass rusher in the league come Week 1, when the Buffalo Bills visit Reliant Stadium?
Every year, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reaches out to team executives, general managers, scouts and personnel members to find the top 10 players at every position. For pass-rushers, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and recently traded Los Angeles Rams star Myles Garrett earned the top spot and was the only player to receive a first-place vote.
Meanwhile, Anderson, who became the highest-paid non-QB this offseason, came in at No. 3 for pass-rushers. And for Hunter, he appeared on the list at No. 6, earning as high as a No. 2 overall ranking and as low as No. 10.
“This year’s voting served as an appreciation of sorts for Hunter’s career. Not a major factor in past years’ voting, Hunter garnered top-five votes on more than half the ballots this time around,” Fowler wrote.
Last season, Hunter finished top five in sacks for the third time in five years, notching 15 QB takedowns. Over the past three seasons between his time in Houston and Minnesota, Hunter has produced 43.5 sacks. According to Fowler, his 54 sacks over the past four campaigns rank second in the NFL, behind Garrett’s 67, who also was the lone player to be a consensus No. 1 among all position players.
“One of the best power rushers of all time,” an NFC executive told Fowler.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Hunter’s pressure rate of 68.7 percent against quarterbacks produced a 1.6 QBR, which was the top marker among all pass-rushers on this list.
“Take a look at this guy’s career production,” an NFL coordinator told Fowler. “There can’t be a more underrated, dominant player since I’ve been in the NFL. His silent tape was unreal. He’s a total force.”
Hunter, who will be 32 this season, is one of six active players with over 100 career sacks, coming in at No. 6 with 114.5. Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt has only a .5 more sacks than him, so another strong season could have Hunter top five among active pass-rushers.
With Calais Campbell, Cameron Jordan and Von Miller all expected to retire in the near future, Hunter could be trailing only Garrett for the most active QB takedowns. And knowing his consistency, expect that number to only climb more in 2026.
To read the full list, click here.
The Texans return to the practice fields for the start of training camp on July 21.
