ScoutIndex

DAL DAL

James Houston

LB

A 6th-round pick (217th overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Jackson State University, James Houston has built an NFL career since. Now with DAL, he's in his 5th NFL season. His 61.0 ScoutIndex Rating last season ranked in the 78th percentile among DEFs — solidly above average.

Size

6'1", 248#

College

Jackson State University

Draft

Rd 6, 217th overall (2022)

Seasons

2022–2026

2025 ScoutIndex Rating · DEF

Methodology
61

78th percentile among DEFs

16 games

Splash plays×0.15+0.40
Pass rush×0.3+1.15
Ball skills×0.25-0.69
Run defense×0.2+0.54
Availability×0.1+1.10

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2026DAL33.72
2025DAL6116
2024DET43.65
2023DET31.92
2022DET89.47

Career profile

Across 5 NFL seasons on file, James Houston has played in 32 regular-season games, playing for 2 teams: DET (2022–2024), DAL (2025–2026).

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2025: a 61.0, in the 78th percentile among DEFs that year.

2025 splits

regular season

2025 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 1PHI—57.6
Week 2NYG—71.8
Week 3CHI—40.7
Week 4GB—90.8
Week 5NYJ—85.7
Week 6CAR—41.1
Week 7WAS—39.7
Week 8DEN—40.3
Week 9ARI—40.8
Week 11LV—76.6
Week 12PHI—40
Week 13KC—40.1
Week 14DET—75.5
Week 16LAC—41
Week 17WAS—40.1
Week 18NYG—40.3

James Houston — common questions

What position does James Houston play?
James Houston is listed as an LB.
Which teams has James Houston played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), James Houston has played for DET (2022–2024), DAL (2025–2026).
Where did James Houston go to college?
James Houston played college football at Jackson State University.
When was James Houston drafted?
James Houston was selected in round 6, 217th overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has James Houston scored?
James Houston has no rushing, receiving or passing touchdowns in the regular-season games on file.
What is James Houston's ScoutIndex Rating?
James Houston rated 33.7 for 2026, the 9th percentile among DEFs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 6, 2022

Also from Jackson State University