Texans Land Two Edge Rushers in ESPN's Top 10 Rankings as Will Anderson Jr. Cracks Top Three
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The Houston Texans continue to receive national recognition for one of the NFL's most feared defensive fronts.
In ESPN's annual survey of more than 70 NFL executives, coaches and scouts, Will Anderson Jr. was ranked as the No. 3 edge rusher in football, while Danielle Hunter came in at No. 6. The rankings are based on how league decision-makers view players entering the 2026 season rather than long-term projections or career accomplishments.
For Houston, it's another sign that the organization has assembled arguably the league's premier edge rushing duo.
Will Anderson Jr. Enters the NFL's Elite Tier
After ranking eighth a year ago, Anderson vaulted into the top three following another dominant season.
League voters had Anderson tied with Maxx Crosby before he won the tiebreaker by receiving more top-five votes. ESPN also highlighted just how disruptive Anderson has become beyond the box score.
He was credited with causing 43 incompletions in 2025, six more than any other pass rusher, while leading the NFL with 62 pass rush wins off the edge. Through three seasons, Anderson has already accumulated 30 sacks, a Defensive Rookie of the Year award and an All-Pro selection.
One NFC scout called him a "true three-down force multiplier" who elevates the play of everyone around him.
Another scout praised his combination of speed-to-power, strength and relentless effort, adding, "He's better than I expected, to be honest."
Danielle Hunter Continues to Build a Hall of Fame Résumé
Hunter climbed from ninth to sixth in this year's rankings as league evaluators continued to appreciate one of the NFL's most consistent pass rushers.
Despite injuries interrupting the middle portion of his career, Hunter has produced 43.5 sacks over the past three seasons and 54 sacks over the last four, trailing only Myles Garrett during that span.
One NFC executive called Hunter "one of the best power rushers of all time."
Perhaps the most impressive statistic ESPN highlighted was quarterbacks producing just a 1.6 QBR on plays where Hunter generated the first pressure, the best mark among every edge rusher on the list.
An NFL coordinator also described Hunter as one of the league's most underrated stars.
"There can't be a more underrated dominant player since I've been in the NFL. His silent tape was unreal. He's a total force."
Houston's Pass Rush Is Built to Be Dominant
The rankings reinforce what Texans fans have watched develop over the past two seasons.
Anderson is entering his prime at just 24 years old after establishing himself as one of football's most complete edge defenders. Hunter remains one of the NFL's most productive veterans, giving Houston a proven finisher opposite its rising superstar.
Few teams can match the combination of youth, production and experience the Texans possess on the edge. With Anderson ranked No. 3 and Hunter No. 6 by the people who game plan against them every week, Houston enters training camp with one of the league's strongest pass-rushing tandems—and a defense built to pressure quarterbacks consistently throughout the season.
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