In ESPN’s most recent projections for who will be the top 100 players in the NFL this season, there are five Houston Texans players who made the list. Four of them were on defense: defensive ends Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter, as well as cornerbacks Derek Stingley and Kamari Lassiter. Houston’s one player on offense who made the list was wide receiver Nico Collins.
Anderson was the first Texans player on the list, coming in at No. 15 after his All-Pro season and finishing the year as the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year. He's also the No. 4 defensive player, trailing only Los Angeles Rams' Myles Garrett (No. 1), Denver Broncos' Patrick Surtain (No. 7) and Green Bay Packers' Micah Parsons (No. 13).
“Anderson has an effort similar
to that of players on their rookie deals trying to prove themselves in the NFL. Throughout the course of training camp, he has been extra disruptive," D.J. Bienn-Amie wrote. "He's getting to that point where he realizes if he wants to shut practice down, he can shut it down," defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins said. So, expect a better Anderson after his massive contract extension"
Signature stat: Anderson has the third-highest pass rush win rate in the NFL since entering the league in 2023 (23%). That trails only Micah Parsons (29%) and Myles Garrett (24%) over that span.
After what many would consider to be a breakout year, Bien-Amie predicts for Anderson to take a slight step back, totaling 57 tackles, 11 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and a pass breakup.
This defense only got better in the offseason with the addition of Jadeveon Clowney. Anderson had 20 tackles for loss, including 12 sacks as well as three forced fumbles last season and with the trio of Anderson, Hunter and Clowney, he could hit those numbers again this season as the entire defensive line will be a handful for opposing offensive lines.
To read the full list and see which players from Houston joined the future Defensive Player of the Year candidate, click here.
The Texans open the season at home on Sept. 13 against the Buffalo Bills
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans All-Pro DE Will Anderson Jr. named Top 15 players by ESPN
