When Jonathan Greenard signed with the Minnesota Vikings early in free agency, it seemed Houston Texans star defensive end Will Anderson Jr. would have to shoulder a heavier load in Year 2.
Then, the Houston Texans gave him a running mate in Danielle Hunter to form one of the league’s top pass-rushing tandems.
Hunter, who spent eight seasons with Greenard’s-now Vikings, chose to return home on a two-year deal worth $49 million. A native of Katy, the four-time Pro Bowler dominated the local Houston competition at Morton Ranch High School before taking his talents to LSU.
Anderson’s relentless motor attracted Houston in the 2023 NFL Draft, leading it to mortgage a bit of its future to move up nine spots to No. 3 overall to make him the heir apparent of three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt.
Together, they may be the NFL’s hardest-working duo.
“I sit next to Danielle in the locker room, and we talk every single day, same thing with Will, talk to him every single day and just their mindset and their work ethic just speaks for itself,” linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair said following Monday’s training camp practice.
The pair of 2023 Pro Bowlers combined for 23.5 sacks and 33 tackles for loss, including a league-leading 23 from Hunter, and both finished top 20 in pass rush win rate, according to Pro Football Focus.
“Obviously, they’re great players, but it comes from the work that they put in as well,” Al-Shaair said.
Anderson’s offseason work has included putting on weight to better survive a full season, jumping from 248 pounds to 263. Early returns have been positive, albeit without pads thus far.
Will Anderson Jr. is a one-man wrecking crew. They’ve tried to get help for rookie Blake Fisher on Anderson but he’s causing havoc.
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) July 22, 2024
“I’m bringing my skills and knowledge, teaching everybody on the d-line skills that they need to take their game to the next level,” Hunter said after Friday’s practice.
The duo’s relationship is growing, with Anderson calling Hunter “very approachable” while learning from the seasoned veteran.
Hunter, who has 87.5 career sacks, isn’t showing signs of slowing down after posting a career-high 16.5 sacks last season. He’s also been durable. Outside of the 2020 season and most of 2021, he’s played at least 14 games each year.
And when on the field, he’s been near-impossible to block.
Matt Burke on Danielle Hunter
Mentions how big he is compared to WAJ
Points out how deceptive he is pic.twitter.com/aZiUr1KjGS
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) July 20, 2024
Houston finished 2023 with a franchise-leading 46 sacks. Along with Hunter, the Texans signed Denico Autry, who has flown under the radar due to all the marquee names on the practice field.
Pads are on and fans will be eager to see the talented pass-rushing group, headlined by its two hardest workers moving forward.
