One year after pulling off the trade that shocked the NFL world on draft night, the Houston Texans appear to have little buyer’s remorse in acquiring Will Anderson Jr.
Sure, the asking price to move up nine spots in the draft to the No. 3 pick to land the Alabama linebacker was rich. Fans and analysts weren’t going to understand the move and criticism was warranted at the time.
But by the time the postseason came around, Anderson, a two-time Bronko Nagurski winner for the Crimson Tide, had put together one of the best rookie seasons for a defensive end in recent memory. Now, it’s all about doubling the production in Year 2.
“I’m like, ‘Bro, what are you doing? Why were you doing that? Like, what were you thinking?’“ Anderson told NFL Network earlier this month. “I’m like, ‘Bro, I can’t watch this anymore.’ But really just working my pass rush, man, keeping half-a-man (drills), working the edge, working on getting extension at the top of my rush and just finishing on the quarterback with precision. Those are the top things I’ve really been working on and focusing on this offseason.”
Anderson, who won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after tying J.J. Watt’s franchise rookie sack record, has achievable goals he plans on reaching. Double-digit sacks are one. A spot past the AFC Divisional Round is another.
Since the end of OTAs last month, Anderson has been training to maintain his speed and agility. An area he hopes to see improvement in is his consistency, which goes beyond winning multiple reps per drive.
In an appearance in Team Whistle’s “No Days Off” series, Anderson detailed what his summer has been like working out while preparing for the start of training camp later this month.
“What ‘no days off’ means to me, I would say, is every day is a productive day no matter what you’re doing,” Anderson said. “Every day is a day that you’re getting 1 percent better.”
Coast Guard @USCG and @USAA with #Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. 'Let's take care of Texas' @KPRC2 https://t.co/UBEqWOL51a pic.twitter.com/2cGWushcI6
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 7, 2024
It’s been a busy several weeks for the second-year defensive end. Last month, Anderson worked out with reigning Defensive Player of the Year, who taught him strategies to maximize his power when coming off the edge.
He has also been spending time with new teammate and Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter. Signed a two-year deal worth up to $51 million, the Houstn native will replace Jonathan Greenard in hopes of helping the Texans build off their franchise record 46 sack season.
Ryans said earlier this offseason that he’s noticed a connection between Anderson and the four-time Pro Bowler. Hunter echoed a similar sentiment.
“Technically, he’s still a rookie, but it doesn’t seem like it. It feels like he’s, like, in Year 4 or 5 or 6,” Hunter said back during OTAs. “How he plays, how he carries himself — you don’t see that much in players who are Year 1 going into Year 2.”
Hunter was one of three defensive linemen added during this offseason’s free agency period. The Texans stayed in the division to rebuild the defensive line, signing former Titans lineman Denico Autry to a two-year deal while agreeing to terms with Jaguars defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi on a one-year contract.
Breaking down Will Anderson Jr's rookie season https://t.co/ISeXRTsomh pic.twitter.com/N13sZH58Mk
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) June 18, 2024
The Texans also drafted USC’s Solomon Byrd and Auburn’s Marcus Harris in the later rounds for depth.
Autry, who totaled 11 sacks last season, can play multiple positions and should rotate at defensive tackle and pass rusher. Fatukasi, who started 16 games last season in Jacksonville, should replace Maliek Collins and Sheldon Rankins.
Anderson thinks the Texans could have the league’s most dangerous pass rush in 2024 because of everyone’s willingness to work with another rather than take over a rep.
“Nobody is selfish in that room, we’re going to go out there and do our jobs,” Anderson said. “So that’s just what I envision, is just we’re all back there eating, everybody just causing havoc.”
The Texans return to NRG Stadium for the first training camp practice on July 18.
