Get to know Hassan Ridgeway: How the run-stuffing DT can help the Texans

The Houston Texans secured themselves a dominant defensive line presence when they signed Hassan Ridgeway in free agency.

The former Mansfield High School product is coming back to the Lone Star State, but established himself as a space eater in run defense. At 6-3, 305 pounds, Ridgeway could prove to be one of the Texans’ best free agent acquisitions.

Kyle Madson, managing editor of the Niners Wire, stopped by to lend insight as to what the dynamic defensive tackle might bring to the table in 2023.

What was Ridgeway's biggest strength last season?

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

While Ridgeway only spent one season in San Francisco, Madson made it clear that he was a key piece to one of the league’s most impenetrable defenses. Despite missing some time, the eighth-year lineman quickly became a key cog in their effort against the ground game and helped elevate players around him to stop opposing offenses in their tracks.

“Ridgeway’s biggest strength is his run-stopping ability,” Madson explained. “The 49ers [had] one of the NFL’s best run defenses last year while he was playing, and his absence following a chest injury was noticeable. He’s a very good rotational piece.”

Houston will likely look to utilize Ridgeway as more than a rotational piece, but Madson’s insight into his use with the 49ers is a good indication that the Texans will still need to keep depth up front to ensure that their new defensive tackle is able to play at full strength consistently.

What role did Ridgeway play for San Francisco?

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Asked about his use in the 49ers defense, Madson indicated that Ridgeway initially provided valuable depth for San Francisco in 2023 before coming into his own as misfortune struck along the team’s defensive line.

“Ridgeway was a rotational defensive tackle for San Francisco,” Madson said. “They didn’t have a ton of high-quality depth there and injuries along the front forced him into a more substantial role than the 49ers probably envisioned for him when they added him in free agency.”

Clearly, Ridgeway made the most of the opportunities he got in the Golden State, even if his role as a key piece to the 49ers’ defense didn’t come by design. The familiarity that DeMeco Ryans has with him after last season should serve Ridgeway well when the Texans’ coaching staff puts together their defensive game plans for next season.

Projecting Ridgeway's development in 2023

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Despite Ridgeway’s accomplishments last season, Madson wasn’t so bullish on the defensive tackle’s projection in 2023 as part of the Texans defensive line. Though valuable, Madson doesn’t see Ridgeway as a breakout candidate with his new team.

“He won’t likely become an every-down player who wreaks havoc in opposing backfields,” Madson told us. “He’s just a solid, NFL-caliber defensive lineman.”

For a team that needed as many veterans as possible to help their defense grow, Ridgeway certainly seems to fit the bill of what Houston was looking for in free agency. He may not prove to be a world-beater in the middle of their line, but Ridgeway should be expected to eat up valuable space against the run and mentor younger players during his time with the Texans.