3 affordable pass rushers the Vikings can sign to replace Za'Darius Smith
By Adam Patrick
Justin Houston
2022 Team: Baltimore Ravens
2022 Stats
- 14 games (1 start)
- 21 tackles (7 for a loss)
- 39 pressures, 9.5 sacks
Like Melvin Ingram, Justin Houston is approaching elderly status in the NFL soon at the current age of 34-years-old. But, like Ingram, Houston is still able to produce at a high level whenever he's given his chances out on the field.
Houston only logged 44 percent of the Ravens' defensive snaps last season, but he still managed to lead the team in sacks by a wide margin. In comparison to Za'Darius Smith, Houston only had 0.5 sacks less than the former Vikings pass rusher in 2022 despite being on the field for 374 fewer defensive snaps.
At his age, Houston shouldn't cost Minnesota much to sign. But if he is able to produce like he did last season, he'll likely prove that his worth is actually more than whatever the Vikings might end up paying him.
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