Race Day Live (Houston, TX) — Danielle Hunter demonstrated in one smooth motion why he is one of the game’s most formidable pass rushers, with a rare and extraordinary combination of speed, power, and precision.
Hunter blasted himself out of his three-point stance with a quick, short jab step to the left, throwing Detroit Lions Pro Bowl offensive lineman Penei Sewell off balance as he reacted to the threat on the outside of his shoulder pads.
That was only a preview, though, and the next move from the Texans’ great defensive end would completely disrupt Sewell’s head and center of gravity.
Hunter used his right cleat to attack the gap between the tackle and the offensive guard, forcing Sewell to shuffle his feet and hands to the left. Hunter convinced Sewell to commit and then left him flailing at the line of scrimmage.
An ultra-crisp, quick spin move back to the outside, around Sewell, and a whack on the back with his hand while driving himself into the backfield made the veteran blocker look foolish. It also put Jared Goff, the Detroit Lions’ quarterback, in immediate jeopardy. Hunter collapsed the pocket and collided with Goff while releasing the ball on an almost intercepted pass.
Hunter won another chess match, combining the athleticism of a former award-winning track and field athlete at Morton Ranch High School with his intellect as a profound thinker who visualizes success and practices his moves until they’re razor-sharp.
Hunter, who joined his hometown team after signing a two-year, $51 million free agent contract, was nominated to his sixth Pro Bowl on Thursday as a substitute for injured Las Vegas Raiders standout Maxx Crosby. Hunter joins Laremy Tunsil, Derek Stingley Jr., Nico Collins, and Joe Mixon as the Texans’ fifth Pro Bowl pick, the most since 2018, when the team had six in the NFL’s all-star game. This is Hunter’s fifth Pro Bowl appearance.
Hunter expertly set up right tackle Terence Steele in the Cowboys match. He pretended to rush against his outside shoulder, hoping to outspeed him. Instead, Hunter used strength and agility to blast past Steele with an inside spin technique. Steele tried in vain to grab Hunter and stop him from assaulting quarterback Cooper Rush. That didn’t work, as Hunter exploded into Rush’s upper body, almost causing an interception.
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