DeMeco Ryans, Texans Thrilled With 'Tenacity' of Will Anderson Jr.

Houston Texans rookie pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. has turned heads in his first summer with the team.

After winning just 11 games over the last three seasons, the Houston Texans hired former linebacker DeMeco Ryans -- previously the defensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers -- to stabilize their coaching staff and bring a culture change an organization desperately in need of it. 

For his part, Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio traded all the way up to pick No. 3 in this year's NFL Draft to select former Alabama defensive end Will Anderson Jr., who they believe will become a stalwart for the franchise in both the locker room and on the field. 

Thus far, it doesn't seem like there is any buyer's remorse from the Texans in regards to what they gave up to be able to draft Anderson. 

"Will, the impact he’s shown is just he is full speed every rep. He plays with an intensity that I love at our defensive end and what we’ll need, so it’s encouraging to see his effort, his tenacity every single day," Ryans said. "Never takes a play off. Hates when we try to give him a rep off. He gets mad at the coaches, so it’s that mindset we knew Will had when we drafted him, and I’m just excited where he is right now.”

The Texans are betting that Anderson not only can become a leader in the locker room, but that he himself is equipped to handle the massive expectations coming his way on an individual basis. 

In three collegiate seasons at Alabama, Anderson recorded a staggering 58.5 tackles for a loss, while also adding in 34.5 sacks. Because of the player he was in college and that he was taken No. 3 overall, there will be an expectation from fans in Houston that he will develop into an All-Pro caliber player that changes the franchise's fortunes. 

But there's arguably even more pressure on Anderson that your typical No. 3 overall pick, because he'll always be compared to what the Texans could have had if they hadn't traded their first-round pick in 2024 to the Arizona Cardinals be able to move up and acquire him.

If Anderson is productive in his rookie season but the Cardinals end up with a top-five pick because the Texans struggled as a team, so be it. But if the Cardinals end up with a top-five pick that could turn into Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., and Anderson hasn't made an immediate impact for the Texans, there will be second-guessing of the trade. 

For now, it doesn't seem like the Texans believe the second scenario will play out. 

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