Houston Texans fans have a lot of reasons to feel positive about the future of their franchise. None of them are more exciting than last year’s first-round draft picks, quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson Jr., who wound up winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award for his efforts.
Heading into the 2024 season, Stroud should already be considered a top-10 starting quarterback in the NFL, even with so much room to grow. Meanwhile, the ceiling is just as high for Anderson, who has been named to Vinnie Iyer’s All-Under-25 team, consisting of the best players around the league under 25 years old. Here’s what he shared about Anderson.
“Anderson had “only” seven sacks as a rookie, but he was a dominant all-around force for DeMeco Ryans’ defense, as expected. The reigning DROY can be massive in 2024 playing off Danielle Hunter.”
Anderson’s sack numbers may not have screamed superstar potential, but sacks are also an antiquated way to measure a player’s pressure and doesn’t accurately reflect just how disruptive he was during his rookie year. According to Pro Football Focus, Anderson racked up 59 total pressures during the 2023 season to go with 30 defensive stops. He graded out well both as a pass rusher (77.3) and in run defense, (77.2) making him one of the most well-rounded young defenders in the league.
At just 22 years old, Anderson still has plenty of time to develop into a game-wrecking edge defenders for the Texans. His stock should only continue to go up as he grows under defensive guru head coach Demeco Ryans. In another season or two, Anderson could force himself into the Defensive Player of the Year race.
