Will Anderson Jr.

Career StatsA

Year	Team	GP	Sacks	Tkl	TFL
Career		46	30.0	136	32
2025		17	12.0	54	10.5
2024		14	11.0	37	11
2023		15

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Texans locked up a cornerstone defensive talent at exceptional value, making Will Anderson Jr.'s $8.8M AAV extension one of the league's premier steals for a pass rusher of his caliber. Anderson has already established himself as a Pro Bowl-caliber edge defender in just his second season, and securing him at under $9 million annually represents masterful roster construction by Houston's front office. At 23 years old, Anderson is entering the prime years of his career arc, meaning the Texans are buying his peak production at a discount that will only look better as the salary cap continues to rise. The fully guaranteed $35.2M structure eliminates injury risk while providing Anderson with immediate security, creating a true win-win scenario that should age beautifully over the contract's duration. This A-grade CVI deal not only anchors Houston's defensive line for years to come but also preserves crucial cap flexibility to build around their young core. The Texans just turned their defensive foundation into a bargain that other franchises will envy as elite pass rushers reset the market well above Anderson's number.

Performance Analysis

Will Anderson Jr., the third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has established himself as one of the premier young pass rushers in the league through his first three professional seasons with the Houston Texans. The 24-year-old defensive end has emerged as a foundational piece of Houston's defensive resurgence, earning an A performance grade while consistently improving year over year. Anderson's combination of elite athleticism, refined pass-rush technique, and football IQ has made him a nightmare matchup for opposing offensive lines. At just 24 years old with three seasons under his belt, Anderson represents the type of cornerstone defensive talent that championship defenses are built around. Anderson's current season production has been nothing short of elite, posting 0.71 sacks per game compared to the NFL average of 0.34 and the elite threshold of 0.68. His ability to consistently penetrate backfields is further evidenced by his 0.62 tackles for loss per game, well above both the league average of 0.30 and the elite benchmark of 0.58. These numbers showcase Anderson's rare combination of pass-rush prowess and run-stopping ability, making him a complete three-down defensive end. His technique continues to evolve, as he's developed a sophisticated repertoire of moves that complement his natural burst and bend around the edge. The trajectory is undeniably upward for Anderson, who has improved from a B+ grade in his rookie season to consecutive A+ performances in 2024 and 2025. With his physical tools still developing and his understanding of NFL offenses deepening, Anderson appears poised to challenge for Defensive Player of the Year honors in the coming seasons. The key will be maintaining his current production level while staying healthy, as he's already established himself among the elite tier of edge rushers league-wide.

Current Sentiment

The NFL world is absolutely gushing over Will Anderson Jr. right now, and it's hard to argue with the A+ sentiment surrounding Houston's defensive superstar. The media frenzy around his reported three-year, $150M extension — making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history — has reached fever pitch, with outlets unanimously framing this as a franchise-defining move that validates his elite status after winning Defensive Rookie of the Year and racking up 30 sacks in three seasons. His stellar A-grade performance this year (54 tackles, 12 sacks in 17 games) perfectly backs up the hype, proving he's not just living off potential but delivering elite production that justifies record-breaking money. The Texans' recent aggressive roster additions — bringing in proven veterans like Wyatt Teller, Foster Moreau, and Braden Smith — only amplifies the narrative that Houston is building something special around Anderson as their defensive cornerstone. When even rival stars like Micah Parsons are publicly acknowledging the significance of your contract, you know you've reached rarefied air in terms of league-wide respect and recognition.