After the Detroit Lions' preseason finale, head coach Dan Campbell talked about a looming "hard decision" on edge rusher James Houston ahead of the cut down to 53 players.
"We understand he’s a Year 3 player that — we have to take the body of work that is taking place in practice against our very good tackles,” Campbell said. “We got two of the best tackles in the league that he has to go against. You take those (reps) and then you take a little bit of what you saw today, ‘OK, well what does the health look like? Can he still move?’ But, I think, look, that’s going to be a hard decision for (general manager) Brad (Holmes) and myself. You know it is, one way or another."
Most of Campbell's comments seemed to suggest Houston was on the roster bubble, or at least there was some difference of opinion about him. But Houston certainly did what he had to against the Steelers in the third preseason game, with a sack, two quarterback hits and a stellar grade from Pro Football Focus (89.7).
Houston made the Lions' 53-man roster, even if others in the edge rusher conversation with less of a "body of work" outdid him in the preseason. A knee injury in the preseason opener sidelined Houston for the second preseason game, and however the opportunity took shape in the preseason finale (trade showcase?) he took advantage of it.
Brad Holmes says James Houston brings a different element to Lions' pass rush
The Lions are looking for someone to step up as an edge rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Houston is an easy candidate to add something to that mix, based on the eight sacks he had over the final seven games of his rookie season in 2022.
Between the first two preseason games, the Lions suspended the idea of making Houston into a SAM linebacker, where he'd have responsibilities in coverage and generally more work in space. It will theoretically allow to just do what he does best, get after the quarterback.
On Thursday, via Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News, Lions' general manager Brad Holmes spoke to that.
"I've always thought the best thing that James does is get after the quarterback," Holmes said Thursday. "Can he do other things? Yes, he played linebacker at the University of Florida. But when he got to Jackson State and just put his hand in the dirt, I mean, that toolbox opened up immensely."
"He came back from the injury and now he's just rushing the passer now. He can play SAM linebacker, but I think what he does best is get after the quarterback."
If Houston could play SAM linebacker, you'd think he'd have shown some signs of that over the last couple training camps. The fractured ankle that cost him most of last season created an automatic mulligan in his development, then he was banged up for a chunk of this preseason.
Holmes ultimately landed back on where Houston will be expected to add something to the Lions' defense, even if it's the only thing he adds.
"He's got a tremendous ability to bend, change directions (and) counter. He might not be the power rusher that Aidan is; he's a completely different flavor. But that's what we like about him, too, as well."
It's hard to precisely tab what a good 2024 season for Houston would look like. Being at least mostly healthy would be ideal, followed by noticeable impact for however many snaps he might see game-to-game. It's easy to be skeptical, and some people will be until he shows otherwise, but Houston is still a very young player who simply hasn't played much NFL football as he enters his third year.