C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. Sweep Rookies of the Year? One Outlet Thinks So

The Houston Texans join the New York Jets as franchises with both the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year in the same class, per the PWFA.

The Houston Texans have both the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year on their roster. 

At least according to the Pro Football Writers of Amercia.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. were named the PFWA's Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year after guiding the Texans to a seven-win turnaround and playoff appearance. 

Stroud and Anderson are also the favorites to win the NFL's Rookie of the Year honors next month in Las Vegas, Nev., prior to the Super Bowl. 

Our rookies leading the way 🚀
 
🏆 C.J. Stroud is the PFWA NFL Rookie of the Year AND the PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year⁰🏆 Will Anderson Jr. is the PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year pic.twitter.com/dYsl6iX3qP

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 23, 2024

Drafted second overall as the hopeful franchise quarterback, Stroud silenced the critics early and only built off each performance. He became the fifth rookie passer in league history to throw for 4,000-plus yards in a season and helped the Texans win their first AFC South title in four seasons. 

Stroud also became the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game and the first rookie passer to claim a win in the postseason since Mark Sanchez in 2009. In 15 regular season games, he completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns against five interceptions. 

The former Ohio State gunslinger and two-time Heisman finalist joined Tom Brady and Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks to lead the NFL in NFL in passing yards per game (273.9) and touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio (23/5) in a season.

Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

"I have no doubt that he should be the Offensive Rookie of the Year," Anderson said of Stroud. "He came into an organization that wasn't good last year, as a rookie, changed the whole trajectory of this team. Captain as a rookie, When you watch C.J. play, you don't see a rookie on the field."

Houston bet on Anderson's upside coming out of Alabama last April, trading two future first-round picks, a second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals to move up nine spots to select him third overall. 

Anderson didn't disappoint off the edge. He was named a captain and broke the franchise's rookie sack record with seven quarterback takedowns. Anderson also registered 22 quarterback hits and 10 tackles for loss.

Stroud and Anderson have been attached at the hip since April. Both have praised each other's work ethic, tone-setting passion in the locker room and ability to create opportunities in critical situations. 

Anderson's best game came in Week 17's 26-3 win over the Tennessee Titans. Coming off an ankle injury that sidelined him for three weeks, Anderson made the most of his snap count, recording two sacks on Ryan Tannehill and two tackles for loss.

"He deserves it," Stroud said of Anderson potentially winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. "Look at how it looked the previous years here, and you can see what the difference of him being there on the field. Just check the tape. Often times when he might not always make the play, he's one of the reasons why. He's going to set the edge, he's going to take on a double-team, he's going to make somebody miss, to set somebody else up free, so it's not always in the stats. He's really affecting the game in a lot of ways by just being a great player."

Why is Will Anderson Jr. So Confident in Texans' Future?

Stroud and Anderson are the first teammates since New York Jets receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner to win the PWFA's Rookie of the Year honors last season. Both Wilson and Gardner also were voted the league's Rookie of the Year after stellar seasons for the Gang Green last fall.

The Texans finished the 2023 season 11-8 overall, including playoff games. They will select 23rd overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25.