Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. wins AP 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

For the second consecutive season, teammates won the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the year awards.

Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson snagged the Associated Press 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award Thursday night at NFL Honors, joining teammate C.J. Stroud, who was named the top offensive rookie earlier in the evening.

Stroud and Anderson are the fourth teammates to win the awards in NFL History, joining the 1967 Lions, 2017 Saints and 2022 Jets.

Anderson earned 151 points to win the award, ahead of Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (122), Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner (95) and Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (57). Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., Buccaneers linebacker YaYa Diaby and Lions cornerback Brian Branch all finished with six points.

The Texas traded up to snag Anderson with the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, viewing the Alabama product as a building block for DeMeco Ryans' defense.

Anderson didn't disappoint.

The pass rusher proved a menace off the edge, generating seven sacks (fourth-most among rookies), 45 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss, and 22 QB hits, most among rookies. Anderson generated 64 QB pressures and a whopping 17.3% pressure rate, both tops in his class.

Anderson used a quick first step to blow by offensive tackles. His 0.76 get-off rate was by far top among rookies, per Next Gen Stats, and ranked tied for sixth among all players (minimum 200 pass rush snaps).

Anderson's campaign netted him a Pro Bowl nod, becoming the seventh defensive rookie drafted in the top three to make the Pro Bowl since 1970. All seven have won Defensive Rookie of the Year.

During the Pro Bowl Games, Anderson told NFL.com’s Grant Gordon that winning DROY was on his to-do list