One day after being named Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America, Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. was named to the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl. He will replace Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders, who is recovering from offseason knee surgery.
Anderson, who the Texans selected with the third overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft out of Alabama, will join teammate left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who was voted a starter earlier this month. He had a phenomenal rookie season, finishing with 45 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss, 67 pressures, one pass defensed, and one blocked field goal in 13 starts.
With 7.0 sacks this season, Anderson set a new rookie franchise record for most sacks in a single season, and his quarterback pressure totals paced all rookies in the NFL this year. He is also the first Texans defensive player to make the Pro Bowl since J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, and Benardrick McKinney were selected in 2018. Additionally, Anderson is the third rookie in franchise history to appear in the Pro Bowl, joining Jerome Mathis (2005) and Brian Cushing (2009).
“His mentality – not only does it match up with his talent, but it probably [exceeds] his talent,” said rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud about Anderson. “The tenacious will to win – the grit that he brings to the locker room, and just his personality. His talent is great, don’t get me wrong, but at the same time, if you can match that with what he has, it’s a force to be reckoned with.”
The Pro Bowl will take place in Orlando, Fla., and will span over two days with multiple activities in front of fans. The skills challenges will be broadcast live on Thursday, Feb. 1, on ESPN starting at 7 p.m. ET on the Pro Bowl Skills Show and continue Sunday, Feb. 4, culminating in flag football.
