The Houston Texans have one of the NFL's best defenses, and it got better in the offseason with the acquisition of C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
As we inch closer to the season, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has polled coaches and executives to rank the top 10 players at respective positions. The edge rusher rankings were released, and the Texans were the only team to have two edge rushers crack the top 10. To start, Will Anderson was ranked No. 8
"In Year 2, Anderson finished top 10 in sacks (11, tied for 10th) and pass rush win rate (21.3%, seventh, minimum 200 rushing attempts)," Fowler writes. "His ability to finish also improved, as he converted 19.0% of his total pressures (58) into sacks (11). As a rookie, his sack conversion rate was 10.9%."
Danielle Hunter came in right behind Anderson at No. 9.
"Many will argue Hunter as Houston's better pass rusher over Anderson, who has advantages in upside and age," Fowler writes. "But Hunter was downright dominant in his ninth NFL season, ranking first in pass rush win rate (26.4%) among players with a minimum of 200 snaps. He also ranked first in pass-rush wins (77) and incompletions credited (36). In the latter category, no other player is within seven incompletions created."
The Texans will once again lean on their defense, as their offensive line and wide receivers have several questions facing their respective units. Both Anderson and Hunter will be heavily relied upon to have great years and help carry the Texans past the divisional round.
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