Will Anderson Jr.

Will Anderson Jr. has taken home the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Adam Schefter noted that this is the second year in a row that teammates have taken the rookie awards, Anderson and C.J. Stroud in 2023, Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson in 2022.

Fantasy Impact

Anderson showed huge potential in his rookie year, with 7 sacks, 22 QB hits, and 45 combined tackles to his name in 2023. The young star will look to only improve upon those numbers in year two and appears to be a great asset for those in IDP leagues.

Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) is questionable ahead of Saturday's game against the Colts.

Fantasy Impact

Anderson is expected to be ready to go against the Colts on Saturday night. The rookie pass rusher missed Week 15 and 16 before returning to record two sacks in this past Sunday's win over the Titans.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, rookie edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. signed his $35 million, four-year rookie deal with the Houston Texans. It’s fully guaranteed with a fifth-year option, and he receives $22.6 million as a signing bonus.

Fantasy Impact

Anderson’s deal front loads his contract, making it cheaper in the long run for the Texans. As well, it’s fully guaranteed. Anderson was the first of the 2023 top-five picks to sign his rookie deal, going third overall. He will be a cornerstone of new head coach DeMeco Ryan’s new defensive system.

The Houston Texans have selected Will Anderson Jr. with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Fantasy Impact

The Texans traded up to No. 3 to select Anderson, their second pick of the night. Houston is sending No. 12, No. 33, a 2024 first and a 2024 third to Arizona for No. 3 and No. 105. Anderson provides immediate pass-rushing upside for a defense that lacks a dominant edge defender. New head coach DeMeco Ryans gets his stone defensively to build around going forward.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. plans to participate in "some on-field work" at the NFL Combine.

Fantasy Impact

It's unclear to what extent Anderson will participate at the NFL Combine, but the projected top-five pick already has shown everything he needs to scouts to this point. It's also unclear if he will wait to perform fully at Alabama's pro day like his teammate QB Bryce Young. Anderson accrued 27.5 sacks in his last two seasons at Alabama, winning consecutive Bronko Nagurski Trophies.