Will Anderson Jr. named 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year

At the annual NFL awards on Thursday night, Houston Texans LB Will Anderson Jr. earned the AP’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award. It’s a prestigious award that the young star will undoubtedly pin to the top of his resume.

The Houston Texans have now swept the rookie of the year honors, as quarterback CJ Stroud was named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year minutes before Anderson heard his name called.

“To the Texans organization, the players … words can’t even describe — you all drafted up for me,” Anderson said during the 13th Annual NFL Honors. “It means the absolute world to me, man. Thank you so much for believing in me, trusting me to be a part of the organization. I am forever grateful. To my teammates, thank y’all for the belief, the confidence you all gave me. Everything — I appreciate you boys.”

Along with Texans DE Will Anderson, the other final candidates were Eagles DT Jalen Carter, Rams DT Kobie Turner, Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon and Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. The winner of last year’s award was Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner but the three previous winners were all pass rushers. Three of the five finalists this year were first-round picks, with the other two drafted in the second and third rounds.

The No. 3 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Alabama alum Will Anderson had an impactful first year in the league for the Texans. He had 45 tackles with seven sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. He broke the Texans’ rookie record for sacks. Along with his teammate CJ Stroud, Anderson earned Rookie of the Year honors from the Pro Football Writers of America.

NFL’s top defensive rookies dominate in Year 1

Former Wake Forest star Kobie Turner led all rookies in sacks with nine this season. He also posted 57 total tackles with six tackles for loss as an immediate impact player for the Rams after they snagged him in the third round.

Fifth-overall draft pick Devon Witherspoon posted a whopping 79 tackles in his first season for Seattle. He also had three sacks, five tackles for loss, and his first career pick-six, which he scored early in the year against the Giants.

Playing all 17 games in Year 1 for the Steelers, Joey Porter Jr. had 43 tackles this season, including 32 solo tackles and one tackle for loss. He also notched his first career interception against the Ravens.

Leading up to the awards show on Thursday night, Carter was at the top of the Vegas leaderboard with -200 odds, followed closely by Anderson (+300) and Turner (+450). Witherspoon and Porter trailed with +10000 odds.