Will Anderson Jr. Reveals Thoughts on Denico Autry, Houston Texans' Future

The Houston Texans will rely on edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. to headline the defense in 2024, but new additions alongside him are bound to help.

Oct 15, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) reacts after / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Texans became football’s sweetheart last season as they stacked last-minute wins on their way to an improbable AFC South title.

For that, they largely have quarterback C.J. Stroud to thank. He and third-overall pick Will Anderson Jr. proved themselves to be pillars of Houston’s future with seasons that won them Rookie of the Year on their respective sides of the ball. Last year was fun — a feel-good story that came to an end two wins short of a Super Bowl. 

Taking those next steps will lie heavily not only on the Texans’ extravagant offseason but also on the development of Stroud and Anderson. They’ll go as far as their two stars take them.

Oct 15, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) reacts after / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

On Monday, Anderson spoke about Houston’s improvements, and what it will take to bring down the AFC’s best teams.

“You see what we did last year,” Anderson said. “And you see how each game we kept getting better and better, and I think that’s one thing that we’re focusing on – individual growth but also that team growth – just seeing how much better we can be when we just cut out the mistakes, everybody’s just doing the techniques right, and taking this time to properly learn how to play within the scheme, how to build those techniques, and how we can be a better team.”

Part of those improvements came via a flurry of free-agent signings meant to accelerate the Texans’ competitive window. Edge rusher Danielle Hunter signed a nearly fully guaranteed $49 million contract, and former Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Denico Autry followed suit.

Autry brings versatility, experience, and potency to Houston’s defensive line. Coming off an 11.5-sack season, he’s poised to be further optimized with the Texans’ talent in the trenches. Whether he’s rotating in off the edge or pushing the pocket from the interior, Houston can find pass-rush synergy with Autry in the fold.

Anderson elaborated on the addition, too.

“Yeah, he just brings a different kind of juice to the team, especially the position group, man,” Anderson said. “It’s exciting to have somebody like that in the room, somebody that can bounce around from the inside to the outside. And it just helps everybody in the room…

“It’s really exciting to have a guy like that in the room. He’s very physical, plays his but off. I got a chance to watch him last year, go against us, and man he’s very disruptive, so he’s another guy I can’t wait to play alongside of.”

Becoming one of the league’s truly elite teams likely requires a pass rush capable of putting pressure on any quarterback on the calendar. With their injection of talent and presumed development across the unit, the Houston faithful can feel more confident in witnessing that leap.