{"id":850340,"date":"2026-04-03T00:36:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T00:36:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/850340\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T00:36:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T00:36:20","slug":"texans-will-anderson-jr-turns-heads-amid-noteworthy-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/850340\/","title":{"rendered":"Texans\u2019 Will Anderson Jr. Turns Heads Amid Noteworthy Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Will\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Will Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans looks on following a game against the Denver Broncos.<\/p>\n

The Houston Texans<\/a>\u2019 trade to move up in the 2023 draft for Will Anderson Jr.<\/a> has paid dividends for them, and should soon do so for the two-time Pro Bowler, former Defensive Rookie of the Year, and 2025 First Team All-Pro player.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, Anderson is drawing attention to himself in encouraging ways.<\/p>\n

He remains one of the biggest storylines to monitor for the Texans, even with the 2026 draft just over three weeks away.<\/p>\n

Will Anderson Jr. Back in the Lab\"Will<\/p>\n

GettyWill Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans reacts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Anderson drew attention earlier this offseason with his visit to San Quentin Rehabilitation Center<\/a>, and the Texans star is back in the spotlight for reasons more directly related to his performance on the field.<\/p>\n

\u201cTexans DE Will Anderson Jr. with his offseason training,\u201d Sleeper affiliate Jacob posted<\/a> on X on April 2, including a video of the workout.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnderson finished 2nd last year in DPOY voting & had the most pressures in the NFL<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. with his offseason training via mmvp_co on Instagram:<\/p>\n

Anderson finished 2nd last year in DPOY voting & had the most pressures in the NFL. <\/p>\n

Anderson, who turns 25 in September, recorded 12.0 sacks during the 2025 regular season, his second straight campaign with double-digit sacks. He also had 54 total tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 defensive touchdown.<\/p>\n

The Texans finished the regular season ranked first in overall defense and second in scoring defense. Anderson ranks sixth in sacks over the past two seasons, per Stathead<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Anderson has played alongside fellow sack artist Danielle Hunter<\/a>, who ranks third in that span.<\/p>\n

Texans\u2019 Plans for Will Anderson Jr. Emerge\"Will<\/p>\n

GettyWill Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans attends the 15th Annual NFL Honors.<\/p>\n

While Anderson is staying committed to his craft, the Texans have remained mum on his contract status, holding to a long-held organizational philosophy.<\/p>\n

Texans owner Cal McNair<\/a> expressed great satisfaction with Anderson<\/a> and draftmate, quarterback C.J. Stroud<\/a>, but he deferred to general manager Nick Caserio<\/a> and the front office regarding their long-term futures.<\/p>\n

However, while Stroud may have to wait, Anderson is a priority for the Texans.<\/p>\n

Per KPRC 2\u2019s Aaron Wilson<\/a> on March 31, the Texans \u201chave discussed potential blockbuster contract extension for Anderson, per league sources.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spotrac has projected Anderson\u2019s market value at a three-year, $117.1 million extension<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 24-year-old finished 2025 as PFF\u2019s #1 graded edge defender, and is now extension-eligible for the first time this offseason,\u201d Spotrac\u2019s Michael Ginnitti wrote<\/a> in March. \u201cHe\u2019s a $39M player according to our model, but Aidan Hutchinson<\/a>\u2019s $45M, at the very least, should be the target pricepoint here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Texans Pegged for Familiar Trade Scenario\"Nick<\/p>\n

GettyHouston Texans general manager Nick Caserio speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.<\/p>\n

The Texans\u2019 trade that resulted in landing Anderson gained renewed attention amid Houston being a potential partner for the Arizona Cardinals<\/a> to land Alabama Crimson Tide QB Ty Simpson<\/a>. The pick used to select Anderson originally belonged to Arizona.<\/p>\n

Houston traded out of Round 1 in 2025, allowing the New York Giants<\/a> to select Jaxson Dart<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince Nick Caserio became GM in 2021, HOU has drafted 14 players on Day 2 (T-most in NFL) and 0 in the bottom half of the 1st round,\u201d NFL Network\u2019s Jack Andrade posted<\/a> on X in March.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdditional (long-term thinking) incentive to trade down for HOU *if they are targeting an iOL* since the NFL treats all OL as the same position for 5th-years and tags and that can price you out of even a \u2018hit\u2019 pick at that position (case in point: Tyler Linderbaum<\/a>).\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJosh Buckhalter<\/a> covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

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