The Houston Texans selected Will Anderson with the second of their two first-round picks in what was a historic pairing with C.J. Stroud in the 2023 draft. Entering his third season, Anderson could join Texans legend J.J. Watt in rare company.
Watt is the only player in Texans franchise history who has ever won Defensive Player of the Year. He did it three times. Ex-NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks believes Anderson could follow suit.
Anderson is +1300 to win the award, per Caesars Sportsbook & Casino and Brooks.
“The 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year could emerge as the league’s top defender in 2025. Last season, Anderson tallied 11 sacks (tied for 10th in the league) in 14 games playing opposite a disruptive force in Danielle Hunter,” Brooks wrote on June 27.
“The 6-foot-4, 243-pounder should see those numbers spike thanks to more one-on-one pass-rushing opportunities in favorable, long-yardage situations. As head coach DeMeco Ryans unleashes the third-year pro in an ultra-aggressive scheme that prioritizes pressure at every turn, Anderson could top the 20-sack mark as the Texans’ designated defensive playmaker.”
Anderson earned Pro Bowl honors in addition to his Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He had 7.0 sacks, 22 hits on the quarterback, and 10 tackles for loss.
Anderson finished second on the Texans in sacks, behind only Hunter, in 2024.
Will Anderson: Texans Looking to Ramp Up Sack Production
GettyWill Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans sacks Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs.
Anderson followed up his rookie effort with 11.0 sacks, 19 QB hits, 16 stops for loss, 1 forced fumble, and 1 recovery. Anderson also ranked seventh in ESPN’s Pass Rush Win Rate (Hunter ranked first). Moreover, he said the defense is looking to rack up even more sacks in 2025.
“We left a lot of sacks out on the table, and that’s why I’m talking about going back to being precise,” Anderson told reporters in May. “How good can you be at the process of attacking the throwing arm? How good can you be at taking the ball away? Getting a strip sack, picking it up, taking it to the crib? So, those are the things that we want to start putting into our bag – and finesse moves and stuff like that – taking our game to the next level, especially for me.”
The Texans finished fourth in the league with 49 sacks last season. They set a new franchise record for the second straight season.
Watt praised what he has seen from Anderson so far and touted the youngster’s ceiling.
“I think the best part about Will is that he understands his potential, and he wants to do everything possible to achieve it, and not everybody has both of those things together. Some people don’t understand how great they could be, and other people aren’t willing to work hard enough to accomplish it. Will has both,” Watt told reporters on June 11.
“It’s been really fun to watch him grow and progress because he is willing to put in all that work, and he is willing to make the sacrifices, and he’s reaping the rewards because of it.”
Will Anderson Must Hit High Benchmarks to Earn DPOY
GettyWill Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans reacts against the Tennessee Titans.
Anderson must check several boxes if he wants to become the second Texans star to win Defensive Player of the Year. Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II won the award in 2024. He is the second DB to win it since 2010.
Of the 11 front-seven players to win it in that span, four line up on the edge, including Myles Garrett (2023), Nick Bosa (2022), and T.J. Watt (2021).
Garrett tallied 14.0 sacks, 30 QB hits, 17 TFLs, 3 FFs, and 1 recovery.
Bosa had a league-leading 18.5 sacks. He added 48 hits on opposing QBs, 19 stops behind the line of scrimmage, and 2 forced fumbles. Watt led the league with 22.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss, adding 39 QB hits. He also forced 5 fumbles and recovered 3 loose balls.
Anderson will have to outwork Hunter to pay off on Brooks’ “long-shot” bet. Hunter led the Texans with 12.0 sacks last season.
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