Lions area scout Patrick Mularkey believes James Houston could be in for a big year in 2024.
When it comes to the Detroit Lions pass rush, most people think of Aidan Hutchinson and everyone else is an afterthought. That’s understandable, considering Hutchinson produced 121 pressures last year according to PFF, and the next closest Lions defender was Alim McNeill with 43.
But last year, the Lions were missing one of their more dynamic pass rushers for the majority of the season. James Houston, who tallied 8.0 sacks in just seven games his rookie season, only played two in 2023 after fracturing his ankle early in the season.
However, Lions scout Patrick Mularkey believes Houston is primed to come back in 2024 and make another big impact for Detroit’s defense.
“He’s back healthy now, and I think he’s going to be a really good partner in crime with Aidan Hutchinson coming off the edge there,” Mularkey said on the Swartz Talkin’ Sports podcast last week.
Mularkey, who has been within the Lions’ personnel department since 2014 and is currently the team’s “southwest” area scout, called Houston the best player he has “picked” when prompted by a viewer question.
“That was a kind of guy that went under the radar,” Mularkey said. “Not a lot of teams knew about (him) or had a lot of love for (him). I kinda put my name on him. I put my stamp on him. We took him, and he, as a rookie—and we kinda thought of him as a developmental guy. A guy that had traits, but it was going to take a couple years to really get going. But the guy came on the scene.”
Houston was picked in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of the HBCU college Jackson State. In his last year in college—when he made the transition from off-ball linebacker to edge defender—he was an absolute terror, producing 16.5 sacks, 24.5 tackles for loss and seven forced fumbles.
The Lions could use even a fraction of that production from Houston going forward. Last year, despite all of Hutchinson’s success, the Lions finished just 23rd in sacks.
Last week, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said expectations are for Houston to not only flash the potential from his rookie season, but build upon it.
“We expect him to come out and—I don’t want to say be the James Houston of the old—but be the James Houston that we know that’s actually going to take another step,” Glenn said.
That likely includes becoming a more well-rounded player. Houston’s athletic skills as a pass rusher are undeniable, but the young defensive lineman will be pushed to also improve as a run defender and learn to set the edge—which could be a challenge for a 6-foot-1, 245 pass rusher.
Houston will also face stiffer competition this year. Not only will 2022 second-round pick Josh Paschal will be another year experienced, but Detroit signed CFL star Mathieu Betts and former first-round pick Marcus Davenport in free agency.
Still, it would be tough to ignore just how disruptive Houston was in 2022. And considering all the resources the Lions used to improve their secondary this year, it’s reasonable to think that Houston could break out again this season.
I would highly suggest watching the entire interview with Mularkey. He provides a good background of what life is like for an area scout, gives good first-hand accounts on why he thinks this front office is special, and explains why he’s big on Lions rookie defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo.