How Texans’ Pro Bowl bookends Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter are ‘jumping up and down’ to ‘wreak havoc’ together

GALVESTON – The vision is a clear one, and it spells trouble for opposing quarterbacks.

Flanking talent across the line of scrimmage, the Texans have built a formidable tandem of Pro Bowl bookend pass rushers.

On one side, Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. is coming off an NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year season as he firmly established himself as a disruptive pass rusher and run-stopper.

On the other side, the Texans’ defense is now headlined by four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter. The Morton Ranch graduate, one of the most athletic players in the NFL regardless of position, was signed to a two-year, $51 million contract during one of the most impactful free agency moves around the league.

While aboard the Carnival Breeze at the Port of Galveston to meet with Big Brothers Big Sisters Gulf Coast, Anderson was brimming with enthusiasm about the dynamic pairing. Hunter recorded 16 1/2 sacks last season, fifth-most in the NFL, and finished first with 23 tackles for losses and second with four forced fumbles.

“I’m very excited,” Anderson said. “I got a chance to meet him at the Pro Bowl, have dinner with him. He was up here a few days ago and I got to talk to him. I was jumping up and down, man. because now teams got to choose who they double-team. He’s a great guy. He loves football. I can’t wait to learn from him and go out there and wreak havoc with him.”

Drafted third overall out of Alabama, the former consensus All-American, Bronko Nagurski, Chuck Bednarik and Lott award winner and Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year recorded seven sacks, 10 tackles for losses, blocked a field goal and had 44 tackles and 22 quarterback hits. His 67 pressures paced all rookies in the NFL. After suffering a high-ankle sprain against the New York Jets, he had a pair of sacks in a win over the Tennessee Titans.

“Oh, man, that kid right there, he’s exciting,” said Hunter, who shares the same representation as Anderson with Klutch Sports. “Has a lot of tools. I was with him earlier, and he just can’t stop jumping, how eager he is to go out there and rush the passer together.

‘Very good kid. I’m excited just to be able to go out there and teach him a lot of things that I know and become a better player. And, same, I can learn from him, also.”

SEE ALSO: Will Anderson Jr. dominates with relentless style

And Anderson, signed to a four-year, fully guaranteed $35.212 million contract that includes a fifth-year club option and a $22.609 million signing bonus, gave the Texans zero regrets about their hefty investment. He was as advertised and was named to the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement for Maxx Crosby. He won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by a large margin with 148 overall votes.

Now, he’s preparing diligently for his second NFL season. Anderson recently worked out with Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

“I’ve been so jittery because I just can’t wait to get back to it,” Anderson said. “The growth I started experiencing throughout the season, and I know what to expect now and just keep developing my game. I get to learn from all the new additions in the room, super great vets. So, I’m excited about that as well.”

Since the start of free agency, the defensive line has undergone major changes.

Maliek Collins was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a seventh-round draft pick.

Jonathan Greenard signed a four-year, $76 million contract with the Vikings.

And Sheldon Rankins signed a two-year, $26 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.

As those starters left the AFC South champions, general manager Nick Caserio signed Hunter, Denico Autry, Tim Settle Jr. and Mario Edwards Jr.

“I was very excited about it because I think the pieces they got were perfect pieces to the puzzle,” Anderson said. “Guys that are hungry, guys that love football, guys that don’t care about being a celebrity. They just want to go out and bal for the city and for the team.”

Rankins helped mentor Anderson last season, and their lockers were close together in a corner of the locker room at NRG Stadium.

“I’m really big on relationships and me and Maliek have built a great relationship,” Anderson said. “To see him every day and learn from him every day, it was great.

“Sheldon, that one hit me a little hard, man. That was my vet, he took me under his wing. He helped me out a lot this year. He said: ‘I’m going to help you get whatever goal you want.’ And he did.”

Anderson broke the Texans’ franchise rookie record for sacks. Anderson surpassed Whitney Mercilus and Brooks Reed’s six-sack totals from 2012 and 2011 with one game remaining in the regular season.

Anderson was asked about his mentality and if that remains a hungry one after experiencing so much success in his first NFL season.

“Nothing changes,” Anderson said before sharing a message with the kids about the value of hard work, setting a good example on the field and in the community and his ambition to make an impact. “It’s no time to be comfortable, no time to be relaxed. Always on edge. There’s so much more we have to do as a team to accomplish.”

NOTE: To support the Big Brothers Big Sisters Gulf Coast program in Galveston, Carnival also made a $10,000 donation to the organization.

“I feel truly blessed to be able to give back to the community,” Anderson said. “It was a pleasure to spend time with the youth of Galveston and the mentors who are providing them with critical guidance and support. Thank you to Carnival Cruise Line for hosting us and inviting me to be a part of this memorable event.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com