Will DE Will Anderson Jr. Be Texans First Defensive Rookie of the Year?

Ahead of his rookie season, Will Anderson Jr. is quickly looking to become a team leader on the field, which ideally would culminate in a Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

When the Houston Texans traded up for the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft, it was a move that surprised almost everyone. 

General Manager Nick Caserio had already brought in Houston's quarterback of the future in C.J. Stroud, but the pick nearly shut the door on any hope of landing Will Anderson Jr., who had already expressed a great interest in playing for the Texans. 

Almost is the keyword. The door wasn't fully closed, and Houston took advantage, bringing the Alabama product in as well, setting the Texans up to have a much different year than last season. 

And while Stroud is likely to get much of the Houston spotlight, Anderson Jr. could have just as big of an impact in Year 1, if not bigger.

In fact, should Anderson live up to his potential in the Demeco Ryans defense, he could set himself up to be a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate.

Will Anderson practices like he's on the scout team trying to make the squad 😤

(🎥 via @HoustonTexans) pic.twitter.com/hVdsztAXSF

— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) June 1, 2023

CBS Sports recently selected eight players it believed had the potential to earn the award next season, putting New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez at the top of its list followed by the rising Texans rookie. 

"Anderson Jr. is going to be a three-down stud in Houston from the jump," the site wrote. "He was that player from the jump at Alabama. He has the exact stylistic makeup to get serious DROY hype." 

If one thing is certain, the 21-year-old does have a passion for the game. In three seasons under coach Nick Saban, the edge rusher eclipsed 200 total tackles, adding 34.5 sacks and an interception to go with it. 

Anderson Jr's stats led the SEC in back-to-back seasons, setting the bar high ahead of his rookie season.

"He's going to load the stat sheet against the run and as a pass rusher," CBS Sports wrote. "[We] expect Anderson to eclipse all of those statistics and be a central figure in a much more respectable Texans defense in 2023." 

As Houston's defense continues to develop over the offseason, Anderson Jr. will undoubtedly play a large role both on the field and off of it.

And should he earn the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, he will have accomplished exactly what the Texans hoped for when they traded up for him.

Houston's 2023-24 campaign begins on Sunday, Sept. 10 on the road against the Baltimore Ravens. Kickoff is scheduled for noon. 

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