Will Anderson Jr. Scores No. 6 on 2026 Under‑25 List

Anderson’s Breakout Year and Impact

Will Anderson Jr. landed a spot on CBS Sports’ top‑25 players under 25 for the 2026 season, ranking sixth overall. The defensive end credited his 2025 campaign, where the Texans posted a franchise‑low 17.4 points per game and finished with the league’s No. 1 total defense, allowing just 277.2 yards per game. Anderson posted the highest pressure rate in the NFL at 21 % and set a single‑season record with 50 pressures on third down. He also eclipsed career milestones with 12 sacks, 20 tackles for loss and 23 quarterback hits, performances that secured a three‑year, $150 million extension. The deal makes him the highest‑paid non‑quarterback in the league, reflecting his importance to Houston’s defensive scheme.

Other Young Texans Emerging

Houston’s under‑25 group has long featured names such as Derek Stingley Jr., C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins. Collins, a three‑time 1,000‑yard receiver, moved off the list after the 2024 season, while Stroud fell out of the rankings following a disappointing third year. Both players remain on the roster but are no longer considered elite prospects by the annual CBS survey. The departure of these athletes highlights how quickly status can shift for players under 25, especially when performance doesn’t meet expectations.

How Anderson’s Deal Reshapes the Defensive Market

Anderson’s new contract puts him alongside the league’s most valuable defenders, echoing the earnings of stars like Myles Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Garrett remains the only edge rusher who outperformed Anderson across every major statistical category, including pressures and run‑stop metrics. Anderson’s workloads—85 pressures with at least 150 run defensive snaps, 13 run stuffs and a 12.6 % run‑stop rate—underscore his elite status among pass rushers. The extension not only rewards his on‑field production but also signals the Texans’ commitment to building around a premier defender.

Camp Timeline for Houston

The Texans will begin organized team activities on July 21, with veteran players reporting a week later on July 28. Training camp will set the stage for a squad that hopes to build on its No. 1 defensive finish from the previous season. Fans can expect the defense to lean heavily on Anderson’s pass‑rush prowess as the team aims to stay competitive in the 2026 campaign. The early July dates give the roster just enough time to integrate new ideas before the preseason kicks off.