Texans' Will Anderson shows why he was No. 3 pick in draft with sack, forced fumble vs. Dolphins

The Dolphins can have this game-plan suggestion for free: Don't try to have running backs block Will Anderson.

The Texans' No. 3 overall pick Anderson — for whom they traded up nine spots after drafting C.J. Stroud at No. 2 — turned heads in the second preseason game against the Dolphins when a power play action by the Dolphins went away from him.

Anderson bowled over Dolphins rookie running back De'Von Achane to get to quarterback Skylar Thompson, getting a sack and forcing a fumble in the process.

WILL. ANDERSON. 💪

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— NFL (@NFL) August 19, 2023

Anderson was a dominant force at Alabama, and heading into the 2022 season was thought to be a surefire No. 1 pick. Bryce Young and Stroud, however, addressed needs for the Panthers and Texans ahead of him.

Still, Anderson was the first defensive player selected and BetMGM likes him at +350 odds to be Defensive Rookie of the Year. Plays like this are why. His power and quick first step off the snap were some of his strong suits with the Crimson Tide, and those skills are translating to the NFL level thus far during the preseason.

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Will Anderson trade

The Texans jumped up nine spots in the draft from No. 12 to get Anderson after drafting Stroud at No. 2.

The trade was with the Cardinals, and it was an incredibly aggressive one to get DeMeco Ryans another weapon on defense.

• Texans get: No. 3 pick (EDGE Will Anderson), No. 105 pick (traded)
• Cardinals get: No. 12 pick (traded), No. 33 pick (traded), 2024 first, 2024 third

While the move was obviously ambitious, Anderson's quickness and productivity influenced it. The Texans are angling for not only a year one, but a game one impact out of Anderson.

As such, they have to be happy with what they are seeing out of him thus far during the preseason.

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Will Anderson stats at Alabama

Though Anderson's production dipped a bit in 2022, he was still a huge impact player for a very talented Alabama defense.

Anderson logged 10 sacks last season and had 51 tackles with 17 of them going for a loss. Anderson's 2021 was generational, with him racking up 17.5 sacks and 101 tackles. The Texans believe he can find that level of production as an NFL player as well.

Where Anderson can improve is in forcing fumbles. That wasn't something he did often in college, forcing just one with Alabama. Still, he showed that he can jar the ball loose on his hit of Skylar Thompson, so the Texans should be able to hone that part of his game with him working off the edge in Houston.

The Texans paid a steep price for Anderson. No one in the organization would say otherwise. But if he can produce at a high level early, it will assuage the doubts about the move they made to get him.