James Houston

Edge Rusher

Age: 28
Free Agency: 2027 (UFA)
Accrued Seasons: 4
  • 2026 Salary Cap Charge: $1,145,000 (0.35% of cap)
  • 2026 Cash Payout: $1,145,000 (0.44% of spending)
  • 2026 Cash to Cap Ratio: 1.00
  • Contract Value: $2,175,000 ($1,087,500 APY)
  • Fully Guaranteed Money: $0
  • Contract Ranking: 168/245 at EDGE

Current Contract

(SFA, signed 2025)
(📝: indicates contract trigger occuring during that year)
YearAgeBase SalaryCap
Number
Cap %
Dead Money & Cap Savings
202527$1,030,000$1,030,0000.3%
202628$1,145,000$1,145,0000.3%
Total$2,175,000$2,175,000

Cash Flows

- fully earned money
- unearned or partially earned money
$1.1M
$2.2M
20252026
Cash Due$1,030,000$1,145,000
Running Cash$1,030,000$2,175,000
Career Earnings: $3,096,568
Career APY: $774,142
Potential Earnings: $3,333,889
Total Guarantees: $132,012
Largest Cash Payment: $1,145,000 (2026)
Largest Cap Number: $1,145,000 (2026)

Contract History

TeamContract TypeStatusYear SignedYrsTotalAPYGuaranteesAmount Earned% EarnedEffective APY
LionsDraftedTerminated20224$3,792,012$948,003$132,012$00.0%$0
LionsPracticeElevated20221$207,000$207,000$0$00.0%$0
LionsPracticeRenegotiated20221$234,667$234,667$0$00.0%$0
LionsSFAExpired20222$1,675,000$837,500$0$853,88951.0%$426,945
LionsERFAClaimed20241$915,000$915,000$0$00.0%$0
BrownsERFAExpired20241$915,000$915,000$0$305,00033.3%$305,000
CowboysSFAActive20252$2,175,000$1,087,500$0$1,030,00047.4%$1,030,000
Earnings By Team
TeamYrsSalaryAPYPaid on Cap% Paid on CapPaid as Dead Money% Paid as Dead Money
Lions2$1,761,568$880,784$853,8890.0%$907,6790.0%
Browns1$305,000$305,000$305,0000.0%$00.0%
Cowboys1$1,030,000$1,030,000$1,030,0000.0%$00.0%

Season History

YearTeamBase SalaryRoster BonusWorkout BonusCap
Number
Cap %Cash Paid
2022Lions$705,000$0$0$235,0000.1%$235,000
2023Lions$870,000$25,000$75,000$618,8890.3%$618,889
2024Browns$915,000$0$0$305,0000.1%$305,000
2025Cowboys$1,030,000$0$0$1,030,0000.3%$1,030,000
2026Cowboys$1,145,000$0$0$1,145,0000.3%$1,145,000
Total$4,665,000$25,000$75,000$3,333,889$3,333,889
Dead Money History
TeamYearCap ChargeCash Paid
Lions2022$33,003$132,012
Lions2022$165,667$165,667
Lions2023$99,009$0
Lions2024$610,000$610,000
Total$907,679$907,679

Statistics

YearGames PlayedGames InactiveSnapsTacklesNegative PlaysInterceptionsFumblesTD
DefenseSpecialSoloAssistSacksYardsTFLQB HitsPass Def.INTYardsForcedRec.Yards
20226011.2%12.1%1008587110001000
2023304.0%3.1%1000010000000
202411612.9%16.6%4315120000000
202517027.7%37.2%13115.546.56130001100

Valuation Diamond

The diamond is a scatterplot graph that visualizes the relation of the player's APY (in green) and performance (in blue, as measured by OTC's Valuations) to the rest of the league at his position. To understand how to read the diamond, read this explainer.

OTC ValuationAPY
Regular$3,487,000$1,087,500
Injury Adjusted$3,487,000$1,087,500
test
OTC Valuation $7.6M $15.2M $22.8M $30.4M $38M APY $7.8M $15.5M $23.3M $31M $38.8M $12,153,000 $11,040,000

Weekly Valuation Trends

The chart below illustrates the trend of the player's weekly OTC Valuations (in blue) from the most recent season, using APY (in green) and, if applicable, cash that is due to the player in the next season (in red) as benchmarks. Weeks not plotted indicate that the player was inactive or on a bye.

To see interactive and more in-depth use of OTC Valuation data, subscribe to OTC Premium.