​Is Danielle Hunter the NFL’s most underrated defensive end entering 2026? Since joining the Houston Texans, Hunter has become the embodiment of consistency. While sharing the spotlight with All-Pro teammate Will Anderson Jr., Hunter has actually proved to be the more effective pass-rusher in terms of sacks, leading Houston in back-to-back seasons. So, is he underrated? More importantly, is Hunter a consensus top-10 pass rusher in the league as Week 1 approaches and the Buffalo Bills come to Reliant Stadium?
Each year, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler surveys team executives, general managers, scouts, and other personnel to assemble a top-10 at every position. For pass-rushers, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and recently traded Los Angeles Rams star Myles Garrett claimed the top spot and was the only player to receive a first-place vote. Anderson, who became the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback this offseason, finished No. 3 on the list. Hunter appeared at No. 6, with votes ranging from a high of No. 2 to a low of No. 10. Fowler noted that this year’s voting carried a sense of appreciation for Hunter’s career, marking a shift from past ballots where he didn’t receive as much emphasis. This time around, he earned top-five votes on more than half of the ballots.
Last season, Hunter finished among the top five in sacks for the third time in five years, recording 15 quarterback takedowns. Over the previous three seasons—spanning his time in Houston and Minnesota—Hunter has totaled 43.5 sacks. Fowler points out that his 54 sacks over the past four campaigns rank second in the NFL, trailing only Garrett’s 67, who was the lone consensus No. 1 across all position groups. “One of the best power rushers of all time,” one NFC executive told Fowler. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Hunter’s pressure rate against quarterbacks stood at 68.7 percent, translating to a 1.6 QBR—the best mark among all listed pass-rushers.
“Take a look at this guy’s career production,” another 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.” As Hunter turns 32 this season, he remains one of only six active players with more than 100 career sacks, ranking sixth with 114.5. T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers sits just 0.5 sacks ahead, suggesting that another strong season could push Hunter into the top five among active pass-rushers.
With Calais Campbell, Cameron Jordan, and Von Miller all nearing retirement, Hunter could soon trail only Garrett in active quarterback takedowns. Given his track record of consistency, it wouldn’t be surprising to see that number climb once again in 2026. For those who want to read the full breakdown, the list is available in full. The Texans begin training camp on July 21 as they reconvene on the practice fields.
This recap originally appeared on Texans Wire, highlighting why coaches, executives, and scouts regard Danielle Hunter as a top-10 defensive end for the 2026 season.