Is Edge Will Anderson Jr. a 'Perfect Fit' For Texans and DeMeco Ryans?
The Houston Texans shocked the NFL Draft world in Round 1 last month, trading up from the No. 12 to the No. 3 spot to select Alabama edge rusher, Will Anderson.
And heading into the draft, Anderson was the one player that sources told TexansDaily.com that new head coach DeMeco Ryans coveted. Now, Ryans has his man, and According to ESPN, it is the 'perfect fit' for the rebuilding franchise.
Why he is a perfect fit: "Anderson's pass-rushing traits will be maximized in DeMeco Ryans' defense," ESPN writes. "With loaded fronts and five-man surfaces, Ryans can scheme one-on-one rushes for Anderson to use his first-step quickness and power against offensive tackles. And Anderson can also be set up well on the Texans' twists and stunts, creating open daylight for the Alabama star to get home with his high-level short-area speed. Anderson logged 34.5 sacks and 184 pressures during his three years in Nick Saban's defense, and Ryans' system is an ideal fit to create NFL pass-rush production."
The addition of Anderson comes at a great time for the Texans as well, who ranked 27th in scoring defense, allowing 24.7 points per game. Moving up for Anderson showed that new coach DeMeco Ryans is eager to turn that around in his first season.
Luckily for Ryans, bringing in Anderson could go a long way to righting the ship on defense. His final season at Alabama saw him record 51 total tackles with 17 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. As impressive as those numbers were, they were a "down" year for the Alabama prospect.
Luckily for Ryans, bringing in Anderson could go a long way to righting the ship on defense. His final season at Alabama saw him record 51 total tackles with 17 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. As impressive as those numbers were, they were a "down" year for the Alabama prospect.
Anderson's best season came in 2021 when he wreaked havoc on every opposing offense he faced. He recorded 101 total tackles with a staggering 31 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks while anchoring an elite Alabama defense.
Now, that production heads to Houston, where Anderson should be the focal point of a new look scheme.
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