'No Pressure!’ Texans Will Anderson Jr. Reveals Rookie Minicamp Mood
HOUSTON — The Houston Texans have seen some critics downplay their decision to trade up for Will Anderson Jr. during the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Texans sent a hefty package that featured the No. 12 pick and a 2024 first-rounder to the Arizona Cardinals to move up to the No. 3 selection to draft the rookie prospect from Alabama.
Anderson is thrilled that Houston allowed him to not only live out his lifetime dream of playing in the NFL. But by joining the Texans, he will get a chance to learn and grow under coach DeMeco Ryans.
The 21-year-old EDGE rusher isn't oblivious that the Texans paid a high price to acquire his services. But as he begins to lay the groundwork for his first season at rookie minicamp, Anderson said there is no pressure to live up to lofty expectations.
"They made it very clear: Just come here and be you," Anderson said. "No pressure. Just come here, be you, have fun, bring energy and just be together. I think that's the biggest thing they harp on a lot that I'm really understanding is, there is no pressure."
But if Anderson did feel some pressure ahead of his rookie campaign, he would lean on the experience he developed during his three seasons at Alabama.
Playing under coach Nick Saban came with high expectations. And the results led to Anderson solidifying himself as one of the top EDGE rushers in the history of the prominent program.
He came into the draft as arguably the top-rated prospect after recording 205 tackles and 34.5 sacks in 114 career games for the Crimson Tide.
"You've been playing football all your life," Anderson said. "You're just going out there and doing what you love to do, and no pressure. Just been doing everything since you were five years old, so that's what I really appreciate about the players and the coaches here."
Anderson will be under a microscope as critics continue to judge whether or not the Texans made the right decision to trade up for the rookie linebacker. But if Houston's message to Anderson is to be himself, the Texans would get maximum value for their investment in due time.
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